Reports have surfaced linking Manchester United and West Ham United with Sporting Lisbon fullback, Cristiano Piccini. The 25-year-old is the latest name to demand a contract termination after the reported training ground assault by masked hooligans at the club’s training grounds. Turkish outfit Besiktas have already tabled an offer for the 1-time Italy U21 international but is unable to match Lisbon’s £17.5m asking price.
It seems like Jose Mourinho has a decent chance of getting the pacey right-back but will have to compete against the likes of Manuel Pellegrini and his former club, Inter Milan. Piccini is certainly a name to draw interests from top-tier clubs due to his performances for the Portuguese outfit this past season.
The 25-year-old had made 40 appearances in the 2017/18 campaign and contributed with 3 assists on the offensive end. He was brought in last summer from Real Betis on a five-year contract and so far, the man has impressed with his efforts on the right-hand side of the pitch.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall, Piccini can be a dominant presence at the heart of defence but enjoys covering the flanks. He grew up in the Fiorentina youth ranks and was awarded his debut Serie A appearance in the 1-0 home win against Cagliari in December 2010.
The Italian also has 12 caps for Italy’s U19 and U20 sides, breaking out of the Fiorentina reserves with 44 appearances and 3 goals. The Violas sent him out on loan to clubs like Carrasse, Spezia, Livorno and Real Betis before trading him off to the latter in the summer of 2014.
Piccini made his La Liga debut against Villareal in August 2015 after helping the Verdiblancos earn promotion from the Segunda Division. He racked up 58 games, 3 goals and 4 assists during his 3 season stay at Benito Villamarín.
The Italian has come a long way since his early days at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and could be ready for Premier League football. However, he might not be an immediate requirement for the Red Devils with the start of the 2018/19 campaign slowly approaching.
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Mourinho has just signed Diogo Dalot from FC Porto as a backup option to Antonio Valencia on the right flank. Despite his veteran age, Valencia is an uncontested starter with Dalot expected to serve as an understudy. United also have the contract of Matteo Darmian to deal with, leaving almost no space for Piccini in the starting XI, which makes the signing of the Italian ace by the Red Devils redundant.
