The Serie A stoppers Fergie is keeping tabs on
Andrea Ranocchia and Angelo Ogbonna, two young Serie A defenders, have been linked with a transfer to Man United, who have had their share of problems in the centre back position in recent years as a result of injuries. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand probably do not have long left at the top and so it looks like it's time to herald a new era of defensive solidity. talkSPORT's head to head has more...
Name: Andrea Ranocchia
Date of birth: 16/02/88
Club: Inter
Position: Defence
Name: Angelo Ogbonna
Date of birth: 23/05/88
Club: Torino
Position: Defence
Who is Andrea Ranocchia?
At 6ft 3in tall the young defender is a commanding presence in the air and has started all three of Inter's Serie A games this season. The three-time European champions have shown a lot of faith in him since his transfer from Genoa in January 2011, playing 33 games. Ranocchia actually made his Serie A debut against Inter in 2008 when on loan at Bari from Genoa, while the 24-year-old has represented Italy on eight occasions.
Who is Angelo Ogbonna?
Ogbonna made his Serie A debut as an 18-year-old in February 2007 after graduating from the Torino academy and spent the 2007/08 season on loan at Crotone in Serie C1, returning to his parent club for the following campaign, in which they were relegated. He has been a rock at the back since then and earned his first cap for Italy against Poland in November. Ogbonna was a member of the Euro 2012 squad but remained on the bench for the duration.
What's the latest?
On Ranocchia: As reported by talkSPORT, United are tracking the Italian defenders, according to reports in the country. The Inter stopper, after featuring in just 11 league games last season, is now showing signs of his potential, and is held in high regard by his manager.
On Ogbonna: The other player Fergie is said to have sent scouts to watch is the Torino ace, though Juventus are apparently keen, too. Club sporting director Gianluca Petrachi has claimed the defensive lynchpin was the subject of a £10m bid last season from one of the European big boys and it cannot be long until he is rewarded for his loyal service to Torino with a move away where regular Champions League football awaits.
What is being said?
On Ranocchia:
“He's a player Inter and I can count on. Juan [Jesus] and Andrea offer Inter a truly bright future, in a position where it's hard to find top players.”
- Inter head coach Andrea Stramaccioni
On Ogbonna:
“The transfer market is all about comparisons. If Inter request €20m (£16m) for Ranocchia, then I say that for me Ogbonna is worth the same amount. I won't compare him to Thiago Silva, but he is an important player who has a certain value.”
- Torino president Urbano Cairo
Video evidence
