Report: Italian International Interesting Sunderland?

Reports in Italy on Thursday night linked Sunderland with an enticing interest in Juventus winger Emanuele Giaccherini.

The 28-year-old former Cesena winger recently starred for the Azzurri in the Confederations cup in Brazil, and is a well-respected figure in Italy following a rise through the leagues to the top of Serie A and into the national team.

On the face of it, this is definitely one of those 'too good to be true' kind of stories, and when something looks too good to be true then it probably is. However, when you dig a little deeper it becomes at least slightly more interesting.

For starters, a very well connected scout revealed weeks ago that Valentino Ageloni is a big admirer of the player.

In addition, though he is a regular for Italy, he has been in and out of the Juventus team. He made just 10 starts in Serie A last season and just 4 in the Champions League.

There is also his current contract to consider. Despite his reputation and ascent to the summit of the Italian game, the Gazzetta dello Sport revealed his annual wage to be a relatively miniscule €600,000 per year (around £10k p/w).

With just two years left on that deal, Juventus will soon be faced with a decision to renew it and improve his terms or move him on, and he is at the kind of age where his market value is unlikely to rise.

That said, I think it is fair to suggest we take this link with a huge pinch of salt. It was mentioned by a journalist (with good connections to the player in fairness) on an Italian radio panel show, most probably in passing, and it has taken to the internet in a Chinese Whispers kind of fashion.

Nice to see Sunderland linked with a player of his calibre, and one worth acknowledging, but really not one we are taking seriously at the moment.