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De Rossi, Gilardino, Inzaghi and more - the Serie A stars who could be leaving their clubs in January
As 2011 draws to a close and a new year draws ever nearer, Goal.com takes a look at some of the stars in Italy who may be changing teams in the transfer market this winter.
Dec 28, 2011 8:10:00 AM
By Kris Voakes
Getty Images
The countdown has begun. 2012 is just days away and the New Year means a new start for us all. And that includes footballers, with many players set to be on the move as the transfer window opens in January.
Although quieter than the summer window, January can be a make-or-break time for clubs looking to get out of trouble or boost their aspirations in mid-season. And, as usual, Goal.com will be there with the latest news on the movers and shakers throughout the month as teams across Europe look to strengthen their hand for the crucial home stretch.
Ahead of all that action, we look at some of the stars from Serie A who could be moving on to pastures new this winter.
The Italo-Brazilian is the ultimate in unwanted assets right now. After Juventus tried to squeeze him out in the summer, Antonio Conte has stuck to his word in leaving the striker to train with the youth team for the past four months.
He finally looks set to seal a deal to Genoa in the coming days, though previous reported interest from Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain could give him extra options as he seeks to put an end to his nightmare spell in Turin behind him.
Borriello has emerged as a surprise target for Juventus after struggling to hold down a place in the Roma first team under Luis Enrique. He began the season in the starting lineup ,but when he failed to keep up with Pablo Daniel Osvaldo's form in front of goal, he found himself surplus to requirements rather quickly.
Having recently gone seven weeks without any action, the striker will be wary about joining another club where he may struggle to hold his own, but a 1 million euro loan move to Juve has been touted, with another 7.5 million euros to change hands if he is a success before the summer. The completion of the deal could hinge on the Bianconeri being able to offload Amauri and Vincenzo Iaquinta first.
Roma is fast approaching judgement day in its relationship with 'Capitan Futuro', with the threat of a departure looming ever closer. Out of contract in June, the Italy midfielder could well turn his back on his boyhood club for as little as 7 million euros in his quest to win a league title for the first time and challenge for a Champions League crown.
Manchester City seems the club most likely to be able to both pay the level of wages and offer the aspirations De Rossi would be looking for, but with Roberto Mancini having warned that the Citizens will not be spending any money without selling first, it means that the Italian will either have to settle for a pre-contract agreement, or wait until the summer to iron out his future.
Gilardino has been a shadow of his former self since missing a month of football due to a knee injury soon after the season began, and he has now seen himself left out of the starting lineup in favor of Stevan Jovetic by new coach Delio Rossi.
After three-and-a-half years in Florence, he may see now as being the right time to move on, and Genoa had a significant look at him before seemingly settling for Amauri. The club could yet decide to go back for Gilardino, while Napoli is also a known admirer, having made an inquiry in the summer.
Hernandez continues to stand out as Palermo's next great hope when it comes to the club's seemingly endless conveyor belt of big-money sales. Following on from the likes of Luca Toni, Fabio Grosso, Amauri, Simon Kjaer, Edinson Cavani and Javier Pastore, the Uruguayan continues to attract big name clubs.
After an approach from Roma in the summer, it is expected that the club will again show some interest in the striker. Paris Saint-Germain was linked with a potential move in November, with Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini informing the media that he and Federico Balzaretti could leave for the Parc des Princes if the price is right.
Like Amauri, Iaquinta is very definitely surplus to requirements right now, but he has been linked with fewer clubs due in part to the thigh injury which saw him miss the start of the season. Since recovering, he has found it impossible to break into Antonio Conte's plans and now looks a certainty to leave.
However, it is now a question of whether he must first endure another five months of exile, with Napoli, Olympiakos and Bordeaux having all shown an interest in the summer. But none of them having recently declared an intention to pursue the link. This makes a late contender for his signature the most likely resolution, with Juve needing to get him, Amauri and Luca Toni off the wage bill to accommodate any new signing.
Massimiliano Allegri's announcement this week that fans' hero Inzaghi is no longer in his plans will have come like a dagger to the heart of many Milanisti, but will also have surprised few given the lack of minutes awarded to the 38-year-old so far this season.
Despite his advanced years, he still has the wily knack of picking up space on the shoulder of the last defender that could prove vital to many teams, with Novara the first to state its intention to approach Milan to negotiate a deal. Don't be too shocked to see other more storied clubs look to take a chance on him.
The Brazilian is among a number of Serie A stalwarts to have been frozen out by their coach this season, with his recent return being down to desperation more than desire on the part of Luis Enrique. Injuries to Nicolas Burdisso and Simon Kjaer pushed him up the pecking order, but De Rossi's form as a center half has again made Juan's future uncertain.
Juventus showed some interest in the autumn and, with Juan's agent having publicly stated that the player is eager to end his recent Roma hell, don't be surprised to see the defender take the first offer that comes.
One half of the Slovakian is already Inter's, with the midfielder having been part of the deal which saw 50 percent of Emiliano Viviano's rights snapped up by Genoa in the summer. He was then widely touted to complete a full move to San Siro in January, but there is less certainty about the switch taking place right now.
With his form having dipped since his electric run at the start of the season, it appears that Inter may wait until May to make a firm decision on what to do with the 24-year-old. Much will depend on their pursuit of other midfield targets, with the decision to make a January move still a possibility if other avenues go cold.
The Argentine continues to be Catania's main goal-getter, even if his prolific run of early 2010 has never been matched. However, Milan's long-time pursuit now looks set to bring his transfer status to a head.
After the Etnei announced rather publicly that they had agreed a deal in principle with the Serie A champion, they have since claimed that the Rossoneri are not the only interested party. With Carlos Tevez being Milan's number-one target, it remains to be seen whether a second striker is on the agenda, and a loan move would be to the preference of Adriano Galliani and his money men.
The Italy midfielder has continued to be a regular for the Viola this season, but the lack of an armband and the loss of his usual drive and substance have been telling as his relationship with the club has deteriorated further. Now a surefire departure in 2012, the only question that remains pertains to the exact date and destination for Montolivo's next move.
With Milan the firm favorite for his signature, the club could decide to bite the bullet and pay a minimal fee for his services next month, but it seems more likely that it will wait to make its move after June 30, when he will be a free agent. A pre-contract agreement would be no surprise though, if a previous interest from Inter is reignited, he could yet join old mate Giampaolo Pazzini at a third different club.
After doing a great job on the quiet at Piacenza, the Belgian has exploded since arriving in Sardinia two years ago. Now one of the first names on the Cagliari team sheet, he is likely to be sacrificed in the name of a big cash injection in the near future, and a January move should not be ruled out.
With his industrious, tenacious and creative mix having drawn the attention of all of Italy's big three, it appears that a real dogfight could ensue over his signature, though each of the trio could yet find that other priorities elsewhere result in them taking the chance of waiting until the summer. Manchester City has also been strongly linked.
The Italy striker has seen just 198 minutes of action in the league this season after falling out of favor with Antonio Conte in the summer and, at one point, there seemed a fair chance that a Milan approach for a loan deal might have been taken seriously.
However, the former Napoli man's endeavor and work rate have seen him win back some of Conte's trust and, with Alessandro Matri not always firing of late, there is the very real possibility of regular football for Quagliarella if he sticks around in January. Therefore, while a move shouldn't be ruled out, he appears likely to give it another six months in Turin before making any big decisions about another transfer.
The Nigerian's long-anticipated move to San Siro has brought little more than disappointment in the cold light of day. With only four league appearances to his name, he has had to deal with constant speculation over his future since it became clear that coach Allegri did not have enough faith to give him a regular role.
The Milan board has since seemingly been on a mission to find him a new club, and the Rossoneri could make a reasonable profit on him by offloading him just six months in. Benfica showed an interest in the autumn, while there could also be an attraction for French clubs after his successful stint at Olympique de Marseille.
Although quieter than the summer window, January can be a make-or-break time for clubs looking to get out of trouble or boost their aspirations in mid-season. And, as usual, Goal.com will be there with the latest news on the movers and shakers throughout the month as teams across Europe look to strengthen their hand for the crucial home stretch.
Ahead of all that action, we look at some of the stars from Serie A who could be moving on to pastures new this winter.
| AMAURI | Juventus, Forward, 31 |
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The Italo-Brazilian is the ultimate in unwanted assets right now. After Juventus tried to squeeze him out in the summer, Antonio Conte has stuck to his word in leaving the striker to train with the youth team for the past four months.
He finally looks set to seal a deal to Genoa in the coming days, though previous reported interest from Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain could give him extra options as he seeks to put an end to his nightmare spell in Turin behind him.
| MARCO BORRIELLO | Roma, Forward, 29 |
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Borriello has emerged as a surprise target for Juventus after struggling to hold down a place in the Roma first team under Luis Enrique. He began the season in the starting lineup ,but when he failed to keep up with Pablo Daniel Osvaldo's form in front of goal, he found himself surplus to requirements rather quickly.
Having recently gone seven weeks without any action, the striker will be wary about joining another club where he may struggle to hold his own, but a 1 million euro loan move to Juve has been touted, with another 7.5 million euros to change hands if he is a success before the summer. The completion of the deal could hinge on the Bianconeri being able to offload Amauri and Vincenzo Iaquinta first.
| DANIELE DE ROSSI | Roma, Midfielder, 28 |
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Roma is fast approaching judgement day in its relationship with 'Capitan Futuro', with the threat of a departure looming ever closer. Out of contract in June, the Italy midfielder could well turn his back on his boyhood club for as little as 7 million euros in his quest to win a league title for the first time and challenge for a Champions League crown.
Manchester City seems the club most likely to be able to both pay the level of wages and offer the aspirations De Rossi would be looking for, but with Roberto Mancini having warned that the Citizens will not be spending any money without selling first, it means that the Italian will either have to settle for a pre-contract agreement, or wait until the summer to iron out his future.
| ALBERTO GILARDINO | Fiorentina, Forward, 29 |
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Gilardino has been a shadow of his former self since missing a month of football due to a knee injury soon after the season began, and he has now seen himself left out of the starting lineup in favor of Stevan Jovetic by new coach Delio Rossi.
After three-and-a-half years in Florence, he may see now as being the right time to move on, and Genoa had a significant look at him before seemingly settling for Amauri. The club could yet decide to go back for Gilardino, while Napoli is also a known admirer, having made an inquiry in the summer.
| ABEL HERNANDEZ | Palermo, Forward, 21 |
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Hernandez continues to stand out as Palermo's next great hope when it comes to the club's seemingly endless conveyor belt of big-money sales. Following on from the likes of Luca Toni, Fabio Grosso, Amauri, Simon Kjaer, Edinson Cavani and Javier Pastore, the Uruguayan continues to attract big name clubs.
After an approach from Roma in the summer, it is expected that the club will again show some interest in the striker. Paris Saint-Germain was linked with a potential move in November, with Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini informing the media that he and Federico Balzaretti could leave for the Parc des Princes if the price is right.
| VINCENZO IAQUINTA | Juventus, Forward, 32 |
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Like Amauri, Iaquinta is very definitely surplus to requirements right now, but he has been linked with fewer clubs due in part to the thigh injury which saw him miss the start of the season. Since recovering, he has found it impossible to break into Antonio Conte's plans and now looks a certainty to leave.
However, it is now a question of whether he must first endure another five months of exile, with Napoli, Olympiakos and Bordeaux having all shown an interest in the summer. But none of them having recently declared an intention to pursue the link. This makes a late contender for his signature the most likely resolution, with Juve needing to get him, Amauri and Luca Toni off the wage bill to accommodate any new signing.
| FILIPPO INZAGHI | AC Milan, Forward, 38 |
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Massimiliano Allegri's announcement this week that fans' hero Inzaghi is no longer in his plans will have come like a dagger to the heart of many Milanisti, but will also have surprised few given the lack of minutes awarded to the 38-year-old so far this season.
Despite his advanced years, he still has the wily knack of picking up space on the shoulder of the last defender that could prove vital to many teams, with Novara the first to state its intention to approach Milan to negotiate a deal. Don't be too shocked to see other more storied clubs look to take a chance on him.
| JUAN | Roma, Defender, 32 |
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The Brazilian is among a number of Serie A stalwarts to have been frozen out by their coach this season, with his recent return being down to desperation more than desire on the part of Luis Enrique. Injuries to Nicolas Burdisso and Simon Kjaer pushed him up the pecking order, but De Rossi's form as a center half has again made Juan's future uncertain.
Juventus showed some interest in the autumn and, with Juan's agent having publicly stated that the player is eager to end his recent Roma hell, don't be surprised to see the defender take the first offer that comes.
| JURAJ KUCKA | Genoa, Midfielder, 24 |
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One half of the Slovakian is already Inter's, with the midfielder having been part of the deal which saw 50 percent of Emiliano Viviano's rights snapped up by Genoa in the summer. He was then widely touted to complete a full move to San Siro in January, but there is less certainty about the switch taking place right now.
With his form having dipped since his electric run at the start of the season, it appears that Inter may wait until May to make a firm decision on what to do with the 24-year-old. Much will depend on their pursuit of other midfield targets, with the decision to make a January move still a possibility if other avenues go cold.
| MAXI LOPEZ | Catania, Forward, 27 |
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The Argentine continues to be Catania's main goal-getter, even if his prolific run of early 2010 has never been matched. However, Milan's long-time pursuit now looks set to bring his transfer status to a head.
After the Etnei announced rather publicly that they had agreed a deal in principle with the Serie A champion, they have since claimed that the Rossoneri are not the only interested party. With Carlos Tevez being Milan's number-one target, it remains to be seen whether a second striker is on the agenda, and a loan move would be to the preference of Adriano Galliani and his money men.
| RICCARDO MONTOLIVO | Fiorentina, Midfielder, 26 |
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The Italy midfielder has continued to be a regular for the Viola this season, but the lack of an armband and the loss of his usual drive and substance have been telling as his relationship with the club has deteriorated further. Now a surefire departure in 2012, the only question that remains pertains to the exact date and destination for Montolivo's next move.
With Milan the firm favorite for his signature, the club could decide to bite the bullet and pay a minimal fee for his services next month, but it seems more likely that it will wait to make its move after June 30, when he will be a free agent. A pre-contract agreement would be no surprise though, if a previous interest from Inter is reignited, he could yet join old mate Giampaolo Pazzini at a third different club.
| RADJA NAINGGOLAN | Cagliari, Midfielder, 23 |
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After doing a great job on the quiet at Piacenza, the Belgian has exploded since arriving in Sardinia two years ago. Now one of the first names on the Cagliari team sheet, he is likely to be sacrificed in the name of a big cash injection in the near future, and a January move should not be ruled out.
With his industrious, tenacious and creative mix having drawn the attention of all of Italy's big three, it appears that a real dogfight could ensue over his signature, though each of the trio could yet find that other priorities elsewhere result in them taking the chance of waiting until the summer. Manchester City has also been strongly linked.
| FABIO QUAGLIARELLA | Juventus, Forward, 28 |
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The Italy striker has seen just 198 minutes of action in the league this season after falling out of favor with Antonio Conte in the summer and, at one point, there seemed a fair chance that a Milan approach for a loan deal might have been taken seriously.
However, the former Napoli man's endeavor and work rate have seen him win back some of Conte's trust and, with Alessandro Matri not always firing of late, there is the very real possibility of regular football for Quagliarella if he sticks around in January. Therefore, while a move shouldn't be ruled out, he appears likely to give it another six months in Turin before making any big decisions about another transfer.
| TAYE TAIWO | AC Milan, Defender, 26 |
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The Nigerian's long-anticipated move to San Siro has brought little more than disappointment in the cold light of day. With only four league appearances to his name, he has had to deal with constant speculation over his future since it became clear that coach Allegri did not have enough faith to give him a regular role.
The Milan board has since seemingly been on a mission to find him a new club, and the Rossoneri could make a reasonable profit on him by offloading him just six months in. Benfica showed an interest in the autumn, while there could also be an attraction for French clubs after his successful stint at Olympique de Marseille.
ABEL HERNANDEZ | Palermo, Forward, 21
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