Roberto De Fanti, who was Sunderland’s former director of football, admitted that Italian clubs were interested in signing Fabio Borini and Vito Mannone during the January transfer window.
Genoa were said to be eyeing both players. Napoli are said to be eyeing a move for Borini and may once again attempt to sign him during the summer.
While Mannone currently is Sunderland’s first choice goalkeeper he is not certain of regular first team game time in the future given the impressive form of youngster Jordan Pickford who may retain the first choice goalkeeping spot from Mannone once he recovers from injury.
Borini has yet to make an impact during his time in England with both Liverpool and Sunderland. He has netted just once from his ten appearances for the Black Cats and may feel that Italy may suit his style of play better.
De Fanti said, “Italy, however, always remains home and after a while more and more you want to go back. There was something with some top Italian clubs but the conditions were not right. We will see this summer.”
