This move has already gone through and the former Lazio academy attendee has spoken of his belief at being able to pick up where Antonio Cassano left off. The playmaker departed for AC Milan, leaving the Blucerchiati short on striking options but Macheda has stepped into the breach. Since making his debut in April 2009 against Aston Villa for Manchester United Macheda has been spoken about in glowing terms by his manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The United boss is confident that Macheda can make the breakthrough at Old Trafford but is not adverse to allowing the teenager garner first team experience elsewhere.
With Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Javier Hernandez and Michael Owen ahead of him in the pecking order, Macheda has the chance to put together a run of goalscoring form. Samp have not exactly set the goalscoring charts alight this season, they have bagged only 18, so Macheda's arrival is a welcome one.
Stefano Okaka (Roma to Bari)
Like Samp, Bari have really struggled for firepower this term. The Puglia outfit sit rock bottom after having scored only 11 times all season. Up front the likes of Jose Castillo, Abdelkader Ghezzal and Vitali Kutuzov have failed to catch light meaning coach Giampiero Ventura had little option but to turn to the loan market for re-inforcements. Stefano Okaka has thus far failed to nail down a regular starting berth with Roma and this temporary move marks the player's third successive loan departure. Previously, the 21-year-old has been at Modena, Brescia and Fulham without ever really becoming prolific in front of goal. The Galletti will be hoping that the Italy under-21 international can find his touch in order to power them away from the drop zone.
Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City to Lazio)
Without as much as a Premier League squad place since September, the Paraguayan is likely to end his Manchester City nightmare this month with a move to Serie A. Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, Emmanuel Adebayor and new arrival Edin Dzeko have all left the 29-year-old frustrated at City. Roberto Mancini has excluded the player from all first-team operations this season and the former Bayern Munich man is determined to move on. Santa Cruz favours a permanent move away from Eastlands but could be persuaded to leave on loan with an expected full-time deal to follow in summer.
These are the terms proposed by Lazio, a club which Santa Cruz is keen to join. Edy Reja, the coach, is eager to find striking re-inforcements to alleviate some of the burden on Sergio Floccari and Santa Cruz would fit the bill. A proven goalscorer with a smooth touch, the former Blackburn man could have the experience and guile necessary to bring Champions League football to Rome.
Luca Toni (Genoa to Juventus)
The itinerant striker looks likely to continue his travels this winter. After recent spells with Bayern Munich and Roma the 33-year-old is set to depart Genoa after only three goals all season. Toni has fallen out of favour at Genoa with coach Davide Ballardini and the club have moved to sign Linus Hallenius and Alberto Paloschi during this transfer window, all but confirming Toni's status as squad outsider. The enormity of the player's wages means that a temporary deal is most likely for January and Juventus are at the head of the queue. Davide Lippi, a representative with close links to the player, believes that the Old Lady will be the destination for Toni this month. The Turin giants are in the market for striking cover but have drawn blanks in their attempts to sign Alberto Gilardino and Giampoalo Pazzini.
Gabriel Milito (Barcelona to Genoa)
The brother of Diego could be on the move to the club at which 'il Principe' shone so brightly on two separate occasions. 'Gaby' moved to Barcelona as a player with remarkable potential but injuries have curtailed his involvement in first-team duties at Camp Nou. The axis of Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique has proven unshakeable and it has left the Argentina defender without any source of regular football. Milito has implored Pep Guardiola to allow him to leave on loan this winter in order to gain full match sharpness and, indeed, match practice and Genoa are out in front leading the chase for his temporary signature.
The Grifoni have recently been forced to sell Andrea Ranocchia to Inter following an injury to Walter Samuel and need experienced cover in order to continue their quest for a respectable Serie A finish this term.
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