What a goll

Inter Milan want Aston Villa’s Pierluigi Gollini as a long-term replacement to Samir Handanovic

Italian giants want highly-rated Championship stopper to come in as No.2 in January before eventually taking over from Slovenian

INTER MILAN want Aston Villa’s Pierluigi Gollini as a long-term replacement to Samir Handanovic, according to reports in Italy.

The 21-year-old has impressed since moving to the Championship side in the summer.

PA:Press Association
Pierluigi Gollini could leave Aston Villa for Italian giants, Inter Milan in January

Inter want Gollini to act as Handanovic’s No.2 from January — with a view to eventually taking over from the commanding Slovenian.


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And report that the Italian’s agent is en route to London to try and thrash out a deal.

Gollini moved to the Manchester United academy from Fiorentina in 2012, but left Old Trafford two years later without making a first-team appearance.

He moved to Verona as the Serie A side’s third-choice goalkeeper.

Reuters
Pierluigi Gollini has impressed since moving from Verona to Aston Villa

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Pierluigi Gollini eventually ousted two ‘keepers to become Verona No.1 at 19

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Pierluigi Gollini has represented Italy at three different levels

But injuries to Rafael and Francesco Benussi saw the then 19-yeard-old thrust into the first team.

And in his second season, he started as second choice, but soon ousted Rafael — who would eventually be sent out on loan to Cagliari — and played 26 times in Italy’s top-flight.


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Pierluigi Gollini was at Manchester United’s academy before joining Verona

Getty Images
Samir Handanovic would remain No.1 and Pierluigi Gollini would act as understudy

However, despite impressing, he couldn’t stop Verona from being relegated.

Aston Villa, who had also dropped down from the Premier League, came calling in the summer, and he signed under fellow countryman, Roberto Di Matteo.

Gollini has been tipped as future Italy No.1, and has represented his country at Under-18, Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level.

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