Sunderland AFC News And Banter Page: 4 mins Sunderland have began talks with Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi over a move during the January transfer window. The Wearsiders have tracked the former AC Milan star all season and Black Cats boss Gus Poyet is in the market for a new centre-back. Acerbi has been a key figure for Sassuolo this term and helped Carlo Rossi's side climb up into a mid-table position in Serie A, but sources close to the 26-year-old have revealed he wants to play in the Premier League. And now, according to Italian website Tuttomercatoweb, a bid of around £5m from Sunderland could test Sassuolo's resolve to keep hold of one of their most prized assets. However, Poyet will have to move quickly in the transfer market as Greek champions Olympiacos are also monitoring Acerbi's situation.
From Wiki Pops, but he looks a bit of a gamble. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Acerbi Sassuolo On 9 July 2013 Sassuolo, recently promoted into Serie A side, made an official statement about the transfer of Acerbi. Only a half of contract rights was bought, for €1.8 million, another remained a propriety of Genoa. During pre-season medical check-up, a tumor in his testicles was discovered. Immediately, he underwent surgery in Milan. Soon after the tumor had been removed, he resumed training sessions with his new teammates. Acerbi had taken part in 13 games of Serie A 2013-14 season (mostly as a starter) before he failed his doping test on 1 December 2013. The player denied accusations of using doping, claiming that a positive result might be caused by side-effects of the medicine he had been taking to reconcile the consequences of surgery. During the extra check-up it was revealed that a tumor returned and Acerbi was diagnosed with testicular cancer. This time he underwent a course of chemotherapy to treat the disease. On 15 March 2014 he announced that his life was not in danger anymore and expressed his readiness to play football again. It was also reported that Acerbi did not miss the majority of trainings during that time he had been receiving treatment.
He's always been held in high regard the lad, I've only seen him a few times and he looks solid but unspectacular. He's quite ungainly, he's very tall, and also bizarrely thin for a CB, but is a tidy passer, and key, and what I think will have attracted us, he's left sided. He could do a more than capable job, but he could just as easily get ripped apart by the pace and physicality of the league, I'd be very dubious about him, frankly.
He could be decent Pops, but it's a gamble and a half for me. We should go back in for Astori, who we went after a year ago, a left sided Italian CB, but strong as an ox and way more suited to the league. Went on loan to Roma but can't get near a game as they are playing so well, we could get him I reckon.
Also got an Italy call up last year. Francesco Acerbi makes emotional Italy debut... less than a year after being diagnosed with testicular cancer Italy beat Albania 1-0 in an international friendly in Genoa on Tuesday Francesco Acerbi made his debut as a second-half substitute The defender was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June 2013 And was told by doctors it had returned in December the same year Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...iagnosed-testicular-cancer.html#ixzz3NkDVLCnS
Comm, his situation is similar to Vergini's, he is duel owned and the FA don't allow that. That's why we could only sign Vergini on another loan.
Id personally like to see Curtis Davies. He showed last year he can be a top draw premier league centre back. Bruce has been chopping and changing his back line and it seems to have knocked him (johnson goal at sol) Hes 29 so coming into his best years. He cost them £2.25m a year ago so shouldn't cost too much.
