Arsenal and Manchester United Target Cerci Could be Sold Indicates Torino Sporting Director

Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachi has indicated that he will sanction the sale of winger Alessio Cerci if the player wants to leave, according to the Express.

Cerci had a prolific season with the Italian club scoring 13 goals and setting up 10, which saw him included in Italy's 2014 World Cup squad. Torino had stated earlier that they were looking to extend the Italian forward's deal, to ward off potential suitors.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have been credited with interest in the winger. Cerci has been on the radar of these clubs from as early as the January transfer window.

The Italian club who were at first adamant their player was not for sale seemed to have softened their stance after meeting with the player's agent. It is claimed that it would take anything over £16.5m to prise the winger away from Torino.

The Torino's sporting director, who does not want to sell his top player, feels that the club cannot stand in the way if the player chooses to leave.

"We want to keep Alessio because we don't need to sell at this moment in time," Petrachi said.

"That was also the case for Immobile [who joined Borussia Dortmund], but the will of the player is important."

Meanwhile, Manchester United winger Ashley Young, who was overlooked by manager Roy Hodgson for England's World Cup campaign, has been giving his thoughts on the favourite to win the trophy and the dark horses for this summer's tournament.

The Red Devils player has refused to feel bogged down and like a true fan nominated the Three Lions to go on and win the World Cup, "I'm not going to turn around and say anybody else," he told Manchester United's official website.

"Belgium are a team full of good players and we have got a couple at our place. They are a great team with a lot of players who play in the Premier League at a very high level. I think they could be the dark horse of the tournament," the England winger added.