Rumour: Arsenal and Manchester United linked with Alessio Cerci

Alessio Cerci

Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with Alessio Cerci according to the Daily Star. However, according to Sky Sports, Torino president Urbano Cairo stresses that the player will stay at the Italian club. The 26-year-old, versatile forward, has been on great form for Torino this season. With eight goals in his 12 league games, it is Cerci’s improved goal scoring ability that has caught the eye of many.

Cerci started his career in 2002 for Roma, staying there for eight years. Since then he has played for six different Italian clubs. Joining Torino in 2012, Cerci has scored 16 goals in 46 games for the club. He has also been capped six times for Italy, after playing for his country at every youth level.

His performances have lit up Serie A this season, meaning he has the 6th highest Squawka Performance Score in the league. He likes to beat a man, with 29 successful take ons this season so far. His ability to commit opposition players gives him a unique quality.

When playing on the wing, Cerci’s defensive contribution is often criticised. This flaw has led to the Italian being deployed more through the middle, and with plenty of success. Despite predominantly being known as a winger, Cerci has started nine games in centre forward this season, scoring seven and assisting three in those matches. These excellent performances up front have illustrated his excellent finishing abilities.

His passing play is not the best, with a pass accuracy of just 70%. He’s not known for his passing play, averaging less than 15 completed passes per game. This could be a problem when playing in an Arsenal team that has so much possession. Problems could arise especially if Cerci were to play as a winger; Arsenal’s wingers have been heavily involved in possession this season. Is Cerci a typical Arsenal signing? No. Is he what they need? Potentially.

As a player who likes to dribble, he’d offer a very different option through the middle to Olivier Giroud at Arsenal. Many argue Arsenal need a different option, a player who is able to dribble past defenders and play on the shoulder, or even alongside Giroud. His versatility would be welcomed, with an ability to play anywhere across the front three. Gervinho is yet to be replaced externally, following his £8 million transfer to Rome in the summer. Many will suggest Serge Gnabry has replaced him, but Gervinho’s played much of last season at centre forward, something Gnabry cannot do.

Arsenal fans may have their eyes on bigger names, with the likes of Pedro and Karim Benzema linked recently. But Cerci may be a realistic, cheaper and shrewd addition to a thin Gunners squad. His form has impressed many clubs across Europe, and if he continues this, the Torino forward may be subject to numerous bids in the winter window.