Football Today
·21 July 2023
Football Today
·21 July 2023
Perennial Serie A mid-table strugglers Torino are reportedly assessing the possibility of capturing Joao Moutinho on a free transfer.
According to Sky Italia, the veteran’s representatives have pitched the Granata with a tempting idea of taking the 36-year-old on a Bosman deal.
Moutinho severed ties with Wolverhampton Wanderers in June and is currently out of contract amid interest from Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad.
Wolves bid an emotional farewell to their iconic midfielder earlier in July after refusing to extend his five-year stay at Molineux Stadium.
The former Portugal international has since been on the lookout for a new agreement, but it’s been almost a month since his hunt for a fresh destination got underway.
So far, Moutinho has failed to drum up any genuine interest in Europe.
However, his representatives have taken matters into their own hands, reaching out to Torino to discuss the possibility of a short-term move to Serie A.
Back in the day, Moutinho was a concrete target for AC Milan before leaving Monaco for the lure of the Premier League in 2018.
As he approaches the autumn of his playing career, the Portuguese playmaker could end up in Serie A for one last roll of the dice.
Reliable midfielders were a deficient commodity at the Grande Olimpico Torino last season.
Talented youngsters Ivan Ilic and Samuele Ricci headlined the list, yet head coach Ivan Juric won’t mind having a more experienced central midfielder at his disposal next term.
Moutinho is well past his prime. However, after five years in the Premier League, he could still be a valuable asset for Torino, given a lower intensity in Serie A.
His agents have made their move, and it’s now up to Il Toro sporting director Davide Vagnati to decide whether to accelerate talks.
Since the Al-Ittihad hypothesis remains alive, Torino may want to speed up their decision-making.