Italian Goalkeeper Federico Marchetti to spark Premier League transfer battle in January
Cagliari’s President Massimo Cellino recently made comments to the Italian media which suggested that Federico Marchetti, who is considered to be Gianluigi Buffon’s successor with the national team, is set to be excluded from almost any first team action with his club side this season.
The 27-year-old Italian opined in a recent interview to the British media that he had requested for a transfer to another club during the summer transfer window, but Cagliari failed to reach an agreement with any team. As a result, Marchetti was forced to remain at the Stadio Sant’Elia for the current season.
However Cellino also went on to hint that the shot stopper was more than likely to be sold during the upcoming transfer window in January. This is despite the fact that the keeper currently has another two years left on his current contract with the club. This is because the two English Premier League giants, Arsenal and Manchester City, are assumed to be in hot pursuit of the player.
Cellino told Tutto Mercato in an interview: “I cannot use him for Cagliari this year because he made unfortunate statements and expressed his desire to leave in a public interview.”
“In football you pay for this nonsense – you can often ruin even the best moments for yourself.
“I consider him a great goalkeeper and I have affection for him but when the market opens in January we must look at getting a positive resolution.”
Cellino said Marchetti was “still training as a professional” despite being told he will not play this season. Moreover, the manager hinted that he was already offering the player out for a permanent transfer next year.
Despite numerous rumors that Arsenal were looking to land a number of keepers in the summer, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger failed to finalize a deal with any keeper. At present, the team is forced to use the services of Manuel Almunia till January.
Manchester City is also rumored to be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper who could potentially challenge Joe Hart for the starting position at the club. This is subject to change if Shat Given decides that he doesn’t wish to warm the benches at Eastlands any longer and wants to move away during the Christmas break.
Chelsea is also rumored to be interested in the Italian keeper to bring some decent back up to their number one choice Petr Cech in between the goal posts.
Marchetti would be an interesting addition to the Premier League, and a move to Arsenal would be one that would make the most sense for the player and the club. The other options that the keeper has at hand are decent but very impractical.
Manchester City does not need any more goalkeepers as it is, considering they have two of the best keepers in the league, and if Marchetti was brought in, then Shay Given would have to leave without any doubt. After watching Marchetti being considered as the next number one goalie in Italy, it is hard to see him moving to a club and act as an understudy. This would rule out a move to Chelsea as well who will by no means be looking to ask Cech to take the back seat for any one.
Marchetti could also prove to be the missing link in the Arsenal side that they have needed over the past and could quite possibly help the team end their barren trophy less run that they have been facing for the last five years. It would also allow the player to get plenty of field time and hence increase his chances of playing in the Italian national side.
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