Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Torino F.C. regarding the transfer of Italy international forward Alessio Cerci.
Cerci, 27, will put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the Estadio Vicente Calderón, subject to a successful medical.
The 27-year-old, who has been linked with English Premier League giants Arsenal this summer, has won 13 international caps for the Azzurri and was part of the 23-man Italy squad which failed to reach the knockout stages at the World Cup in Brazil.
“Atletico Madrid and Torino have reached an agreement for the transfer of Alessio Cerci to our club, pending a medical and the signing of the contract,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“The Italy international will be tied to the club for the next three seasons.”
Cerci is the club’s eighth summer signing, following the arrivals of Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Cristian Ansaldi (on loan from Zenit St Petersburg), Jan Oblak (S.L. Benfica), Jesus Gamez (Malaga), Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Miguel Angel Moya (Getafe) and Raul Jimenez (Club America).
Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero added: “”The agreement reached with Torino for the transfer of Cerci is a joy for everyone. It was a clear objective to finish strengthening our squad ahead of all the challenges that we have in front us this season,” he said.
“We’ve had to make a big effort after all the operations we’ve made this summer, but we’re convinced it’s worth the effort because we consider him a key piece for our team.
“He will contribute speed, goals…He’s going to give us more alternatives in our attacking play.”
Cerci tallied 13 goals and 10 assists in 37 Serie A appearances, including 35 starts, for Torino last term.
Chicharito set to join Real Madrid on loan
Real Madrid are on the verge of completing a loan deal for out-of-favour Manchester United striker Chicharito Hernandez.
Hernandez, 26, is expected to join the European champions on a season-long deal on Monday.
As a result, Madrid will likely end their reported pursuit of AS Monaco talisman Radamel Falcao.
“Manchester United and Real Madrid have agreed a one-year loan deal for Chicharito Hernandez to be a player of Real Madrid,” said Sky Sports’ Guillem Balague.
“Some may say that is surprising because they have lost a midfielder in Xabi Alonso, but they also lost [Alvaro] Morata and Ancelotti decided if they were going to get anybody it will be a No. 9.
“That’s it, Real Madrid have got another striker.”
The arrival of Chicharito will give Madrid a viable first-team strike option behind Karim Benzema.
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