TORINO – The goal is (also) young. In the latest Taurus version the prince bomber was Zapatawho will turn 34 on April 1st, scored 12 goals last season in the Granata jersey, 8 of which were headers. Minimal, however, was the contribution of Pilgrimsauthor of only one goal. Too little, for a striker who was waited for and even pampered by Juric, but who overall in Torino has achieved 6 goals in 55 games. A trend that has led Cairo and Vagnati to look around to sell his sporting rights: after a lukewarm interest shown by Monza, Empoli has come forward with more insistence, but still without landing the blow. Pellegri, like Sanabria, is still a player on the market. So much so that the Granata technical director is carefully evaluating the possibilities of purchasing a player of the same role, as well as an element that has gained the experience to compete with Vanoli, but who is old enough to grow further with the new coach chosen to replace Juric.
Attackers on the notebook
A striker who is liked Pio Espositoreturning from a loan at Spezia, the architect of the goal against Venezia that allowed the Ligurians to save themselves (it would have been a double step backwards, after the relegation from Serie A in 2022-23), but with the contract that is owned by Inter. Vagnati has already met with the Nerazzurri several times, but he is not the only market man to have shown interest in a centre forward who, in the last Serie B, scored only 3 goals but who has the potential to become an authoritative finisher. Among those who are knocking on Ausilio’s door, there is also Sampdoria, who have a very favorable card to play on the negotiating table: Inter are intrigued by Leoni, a defender who is also liked by Torino. Leaving the centre back on loan for a year at Blucerchiati and granting Esposito on loan, this is Inter’s idea that risks cutting the Granata off from both Leoni and Esposito himself. A centre forward who, in the meantime, is also liked by Cagliari.
However, Vagnati remains linked to the Italian Under 21 striker, and at the same time opens up the range of solutions. Enter the deck of possibilities Antonio Raimondoborn in 2004 (he turned 20 on March 18) coming off 9 goals in 38 games with Ternana. Where he played on loan from Bologna. His start in Serie B was excellent, studded with 7 goals in the first 18 games. Then the decline, also due to a gradually reduced playing time despite a constant presence even as a substitute. In the following 20 games, to which must be added the two appearances in the playout lost against Bari, the goals were just 2. The numbers, however, are there, as evidenced by the 3 goals in 6 games with the Under 21 Azzurri: Raimondo is a structured centre forward (185 centimetres tall), a natural left-footer who loves to attack the depth and quick in hitting the net in the opponent’s penalty area. Equipped with good technique and therefore suitable for one-twos with his teammates, his heading is the variable he needs to improve. In short, he could be the right man to get to where Pellegri – whose place he would take in the initial team hierarchy – has not managed to climb. Another young striker being followed – as reported by the website gianlucadimarzio.com – is Gabriele Artisticreleased by Francavilla after 12 goals in 37 games, which however were not enough to save the Apulian club from being relegated to Serie D. Lazio is also interested in the 2002-born player (who will turn 22 on July 14). Fun fact: Gabriele is the nephew of Edoardo “Ciccio” Artistico, who played for Torino between 1998 and 2001.
