Toronto turn attention to Masiello after Criscito changes his mind

 

MLS club, Toronto FC, has reportedly turned their attention to Andrea Masiello after Domenico Criscito decided against joining them in the winter transfer window.

Criscito still has the chance to make the move to Canada, but he won’t be leaving Genoa during the current Serie A season. The season ends on June 30.

It is believed that the MLS club will still be monitoring the situation as they are about to welcome a major signing next summer in the person of Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne. The Italian winger will officially join the MLS side on July 1 as a free agent once his contract with Napoli has expired.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Toronto FC have instead turned towards Criscito’s Genoa teammate in defence, Masiello, as both share the same agent. This will make negotiations continue with the same personnel.

36-year-old Masiello, like Criscito, is a very experienced centre-back. He joined Genoa from Atalanta in January 2020, having played for  Bari, Siena, Juventus and Avellino.

The defender was among those suspended for two years and five months as part of a match-fixing scandal. He returned to football action in January 2015.

He has only played seven Serie A games this season. It is expected that Genoa would be more than prepared to let him go as he is not an important player to the squad.

In another development,  AS Roma could be getting some funds from the sales of Justin Kluivert. The Dutchman is close to completing a permanent move to OGC Nice.

The Gialorossi is expected to get €14m from his sale to the Ligue 1 club after an initial loan deal. He had moved to South France on loan with an option to buy in the summer.

Due to his performance, the Ligue 1 side will likely make his move permanent at the end of the season.

So far, he has scored five goals and delivered four assists in 20 appearances across all competitions this season.

With Nice hoping for Champions League football next season, the Ligue 1 side will automatically make his move permanent if they qualify for the event and Kluivert plays at least 50% of games this term.

Nice is currently second on the log after beating Ligue 1 leader PSG 1-0 last weekend.

 

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed