West Ham United have been in contact with Velez Sarsfield wonderkid Gianluca Prestianni but their precarious position in the Premier League makes a move to the London Stadium unlikely.
It’s not often one of international football’s genuine A-listers is utilising the so-called ‘Granny Rule’ in pursuit of hot new talent. So it speaks to the paucity of young, homegrown attackers rising through the ranks in Serie A that Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini felt compelled to hand a 23-year-old Argentine a shock Italy call-up ahead of the March international break.
Mateo Retegui, who’s only link to Italy comes from his grandmother, certainly repaid Mancini’s faith, scoring against both England and Malta as the reigning European champions got off to a mixed start in their latest qualification campaign.
Retegui, meanwhile, is not the only South American prospect who could soon be representing another flag on the international stage. Prestianni, capped by Argentina’s youth sides, is also eligible to play for Italy at senior level.
West Ham United like Velez Sarsfield wonderkid Gianluca Prestianni
The Azzurri, Calciomercato say, are hoping to help Prestianni earn an Italian passport, and a potential switch to Serie A would do the teenager’s chances no harm. AC Milan, Napoli and Fiorentina are among those interested in 17-year-old Prestianni, who has a £10 million release clause in his Velez Sarsfield contract.
Benfica and Sevilla, TMW say, have failed with £7 million bids. West Ham also held talks but negotiations are unlikely to go any further for the time being with David Moyes’ side still very much under threat of relegation.
Hablemos de Velez TV, meanwhile, are confident that Spain – rather than Italy – will be his destination. Prestianni has reportedly reached an initial agreement with Barcelona, though a de-facto transfer ban could complicate matters.
The fiery winger, who loves to cut inside onto his favoured left boot, made his Velez debut at the age of 16, becoming the first-youngest player ever to feature in Argentina’s top-flight after Diego Maradona and Sergio Aguero. There is certainly worse company with which to keep.
“He is fast, powerful and has a very good understanding of the game,” explains Guillermo Morigi, Velez’s youth coordinator (Ole).
“Where he differs from the rest and is special is with his ability in one-on-one situations.”
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