The wage backlog attracted a three-point deduction from Serie A, but in spite of it all Bologna finished 16th on the table under Malesani.

Having rejected the offer of a contract extension at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Malesani will instead head east to take up the managerial position left vacant by Davide Ballardini.

He has signed a one-year deal at the Genovese club, with an option for a further season.

Malesani earned his stripes at Chievo Verona before stints at Fiorentina and Parma. He led the latter to the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup in 1999.

Since that time, the much-travelled manager has called the shots at Verona, Modena, Greek side Panathinaikos, Udinese, Empoli and Siena.

Genoa finished 10th under Ballardini last term.

Scott Parker

The West Ham midfielder has stated his desire to return to the Premier League following the Hammers relegation and will face no shortage of admirers, including Tottenham Hotspur. Surely the pleasure of getting one over your fiercest rivals in the transfer market is incentive enough, before you even consider the positives Parker would bring. The former Chelsea midfielder would add all the attributes this current Arsenal squad has been criticised for not having: experience, passion and strength in the middle of the park.

Gonzalo Higuain

Reportedly available for £15 million as Mourinho looks to fund his own transfer spree, Higuain is the perfect striking partner for Robin Van Persie. The Argentinian has an impressive goal scoring record for Real Madrid and has all the attributes of a world class finisher, something Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh seriously lack. The forward would happily share the goal scoring burden that has rested solely on Van Persie in the second half of the season.

Maarten Stekelenberg

Many believe Wojciech Szczesny is the man for Arsenal between the sticks for many years to come, but for me I’m undecided. Making a move for current Ajax goalkeeper Martin Stekelenberg would give Arsenal that world class keeper that have tried to find since Seaman. All the keepers since the Englishman have hardly been household names, Arsenal fans are crying out for a Iker Casillas or Gigi Buffon, someone who has pedigree behind their name, and the Dutchman can offer them that.

Yoann Gourcuff

With Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri widely expected to leave this summer, the Lyon midfielder could step in to become that playmaker Arsenal will need. The Frenchman has earnt comparisions to Zinedine Zidane for his passing style and all round ability, with David Ginola claiming that Gourcuff is the best French player of his generation. The former AC Milan player can play in the attacking midfielder role but also as a withdrawn striker, something Arsenal could find very useful with regards to finding the ideal striking partner for Robin Van Persie.

Miguel Veloso

Although Arsenal have Alex Song as their strong defensive midfielder, more than one occasion this season the Cameroonian has gone missing. Veloso would bring consistency with regards to crucial interceptions and forceful tackles, as well as that leadership quality Arsenal have lacked for several seasons. Another bonus of signing the Portugese international is, rather surprisingly, he is a very accomplished left back, so should Gael Clichy leave this summer, the former Benfica player could be a candidate to replace the Frenchman.

Who do you think Wenger should sign http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-T-Blazer/185495024836102

Marek Hamsik:

For an attacking midfielder, Hamsik is physically strong but his greatest asset is being in the right place at the right time. His anticipation, eye for a goal and ability to dictate play have led to comparisons with the recently retired Paul Scholes. The Slovakian signed for Napoli in 2007, after two seasons in Serie B with Brescia, as the club marked their promotion back to Italy’s top-flight. He also broke in to the Slovakian national side later that year, featuring in South Africa last summer as the team were narrowly beaten by eventual finalists Holland at the first-knockout round. Hamsik featured 36 times for Napoli last term, scoring 11 and assisting 6, as the club remarkably achieved a third placed finish in Serie A, securing Champions League football for next campaign. As much as the winger has voiced his desire to stay and compete in Europe’s premier club competition next year, Hamsik has already attracted the likes of Manchester City and AC Milan, and would be tempted to forgo representing the club which he helped reach the competition for another with a greater chance of competing for the title. Likely transfer fee – £23million.

Ricardo Montolivo:

The Fiorentina midfielder completed another consistent term of Serie A football, despite the club he has been playing at for the last six years finishing in a disappointing ninth place in the Serie A table. He has been a regular member of the Italian national team and was billed as the long-term successor to Andrea Pirlo, in that his best position is as a deep-lying playmaker with good vision and an excellent range of passing. He is just as proficient, if not more threatening, in an attacking role, and competed 29 times for the Viola last season, scoring 2 and assisting three. Several observers have linked the long-haired midfielder with a move away this summer, seeing as his contract expires in the summer of 2012 and he has refused to sign extended terms. Internazionale were the first club to declare firm interest, but it is believed that Montolivo is open to a move abroad after spending his entire career in his native Italy, and would prefer to join a club with a European offering, preferably in the Champions League. Likely transfer fee – £18million.

Sergio Floccari:

Unlike the above two, Sergio Floccari is a player who blossomed late in to his career, and at 29 represents a signing with instant quality and a wealth of experience playing in the Italian leagues. Was a significant contributor in Lazio’s successful season – just missing out on Champions League qualification by finishing in sixth – scoring 8 in 25 starts. He initially joined the Rome-based club on loan for the latter stages of the previous season, with the club triggering an option to by the striker last summer for 8.5million Euros, a fee which is likely to tempt Lazio to sell this year.

And to the joy of the Stadio Communale Friuli crowd, Udinese managed a draw that will see them in the group stages of European football’s most prestigious club competition if they can negotiate their way through a playoff next season.

They could have ended the season on a high when Antonio Di Natale was presented with a chance to score his 29th league goal of the campaign for Udinese.

But he missed his spot-kick with 16 minutes remaining, leaving the door slightly ajar for Milan, but in the end both sides were happy to share the spoils, giving Udinese fourth spot and ensuring Lazio missed a Champions League spot for next term.

Both Udinese and Lazio finished level on points and on head-to-head, meaning goal difference gave the former fourth place.

Lazio could feel aggrieved though, after they won 4-2 away at Lecce in an exciting encounter at the Stadio Comunale Via del Mare, thanks to a Mauro Zarate double.

Tommaso Rocchi scored the opener after seven minutes for Lazio, and although Manuel Coppola replied 26 minutes later, Zarate was on hand to make the most of Rocchi’s assist shortly after.

Ignacio Platti responded for Lecce who were having a real go at their opponents and levelled proceedings at half-time, but when they lost goalkeeper Massimiliano Benassi to a straight red card seven minutes into the second half, their hopes of gaining an unlikely result faded.

Zarate tucked away the resultant penalty and an own goal from Lecce striker Giuseppe Vives sealed the result with just under half an hour to play.

In other matches, a Giampaolo Pazzini double helped Inter Milan end their season on a high with a 3-1 home win over Catania while Napoli, who finished third, claimed a 2-2 draw at Juventus, with Alessandro Matri netting a late equaliser for the hosts.

Roma came from a goal down to defeat relegated Sampdoria 3-1 thanks to strikes from Francesco Totti, Mirko Vucinic and Marco Borriello and Chievo won by the same scoreline as they beat Palermo away from home.

Brescia avoided a final-day defeat but will be in Serie B next season after a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina at home and the spoils also had to be shared between Cagliari and Parma, who drew 1-1.

A first-half double to Antonio Floro Flores saw Genoa topple a fast-finishing Cesena 3-2 and a Francesco Grandolfo hat-trick gave Bari, who will finish bottom, just their fifth win of the season as they trounced Bologna 4-0.

Udinese would book their spot in the Champions League for the first time since 2005/06 if they can achieve the result and Guidolin said they would need to be clinical in the attacking third.

“AC Milan are not just any team but the Serie A champion,” Guidolin said.

“We need one more point but it will be very difficult. We need to be focused and ready for the task that awaits us.”

“We have to make the most of our chances in order to obtain the result that would take us to paradise.”

Lazio, who are two points adrift in fifth, will need to collect three points at Lecce if they are to have any chance of stealing Udinese’s spot.

Juventus are also relying on other results if they are to sneak a European spot for next season.

They host third-placed Napoli and need to win, as well as hoping Roma lose at home to the relegated Sampdoria, to clinch sixth spot.

Second-placed Inter Milan head into their meeting with Catania with the runners-up position already confirmed.

Coach Leonardo will want to go into the Coppa Italia final against Palermo on May 29 with a full strength squad, meaning he will not be taking any risks, while Catania can finish no higher than 10th.

Palermo manager Delio Rossi may do likewise when his team welcomes Chievo with a European spot out of their grasp.

Struggling Bologna, who have survived the drop, will be looking for their first win since March 13 when the relegated Bari visit.

Cagliari will be out to break a four-game losing run when they host Parma, who are unbeaten in their last five outings.

Elsewhere, Genoa and Cesena will do battle and the relegated Brescia will host Fiorentina.

Both sides play away from home, with Udinese travelling to Chievo Verona and Roma making the trip to Catania in what are tricky encounters according to Reja.

“I will not be watching the games, no. I don’t like to wish ill upon others, but if some results came from Verona or Catania then I’d be pretty happy about it,” he said.

“The thing about this season is that there are no dead cert results. I therefore have faith above all in sport.”

Regardless of results on Sunday, Reja said his side is prepared to fight for a Champions League place right until the final day of the season.

“I believe in the Champions League right to the end, even if the final game with Lecce certainly won’t be easy, as they are fighting to stay in Serie A,” he said.

“I hope today’s victory can give us an extra boost, because we were coming off three costly defeats.”

But Udinese do play tomorrow – away at 12th-placed Chievo – meaning Lazio will be hoping for the hosts to record some form of result.

Their win on Saturday was largely down to a superb start to the second half, although Giuseppe Biava set the tone of the match nicely with his seventh-minute goal.

Rodrigo Palacio hit back five minutes later for Genoa to ensure both sides entered the break on level terms.

But in the 21 minutes after half-time, Edy Reja’s side scored three times to wrap up the victory.

Naturalised Italian midfielder Cristian Ledesma provided the assist for Tommaso Rocchi’s goal after 52 minutes and he was the provider again four minutes later when Brazilian Hernanes made it 3-1.

Hernanes doubled his account on 66 minutes and, while striker Antonio Floro Flores pulled back a late consolation for Genoa, Lazio were easy winners.

In the day’s other match, Milan romped to a 4-1 home win against Cagliari thanks to a first-half masterclass from Robinho.

After opening the scoring on 22 minutes, the Brazilian set up captain Gennaro Gattuso for just his second goal of the season two minutes later.

Robinho grabbed his second strike of the game ten minutes before the break and, although Andrea Cossu replied almost immediately, victory was never in doubt for the champions as Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf wrapped up the rout with 13 minutes to play.

But three consecutive defeats have seen the team slide to sixth, two points off fourth with just two matches left.

What always appeared challenging games against Inter Milan, Juventus and Udinese ended in disaster for Reja’s side, as a combination of missed penalties, red cards and wasted leads cost Lazio dear.

But that sense of misfortunate could yet prove to be the impetus the players need to secure maximum points from their final league fixtures.

“The team feels it has been penalised,” Reja said.

“Of course things have gone badly but lately we’ve had reason to complain in the decisive part of the season.”

“We’ve made some mistakes ourselves but it’s (unfavourable) episodes that have affected our campaign.”

“Everyone has seen these but we’ve always tried to cancel them out and concentrate on our matches.”

“We’re still bitter because looking at the results of the others, even one point (from the last three games) might have been enough,” he added.

After Saturday’s match against Genoa at Stadio Olimpico, Lazio travel to Lecce on the last day of the season.

“Now we’ll concentrate on Genoa and getting six points,” Reja said.

“The points get added up at the end of the season but it doesn’t depend solely on us.”

“We hope Chievo (who play Udinese) and Catania (up against Roma) will take their responsibilities.”

But the day’s most important game will see sixth-placed Lazio welcome Genoa to Rome’s Olympic Stadium, keen to keep the pressure on fourth-placed Udinese in the race for a spot in the Champions League qualifiers.

On Sunday, the match of the round sees Inter Milan with a chance to wrap up second place with a win over third-placed Napoli.

Udinese are away to Chievo Verona while Roma – who are in fifth place, level on points with Lazio and just two behind Udinese – travel to Catania.

Juventus, three points behind Lazio in seventh in the quest for a Europa League place, face a tricky trip to Parma and Fiorentina play host to Bologna.

Sampdoria face a crunch fixture against Palermo, who will be riding high after securing a berth in the Coppa Italia final with a 2-1 win over Milan on Tuesday, as they run out of opportunities to escape the bottom three.

With Brescia and Bari already resigned to life in Serie B next season, Sampdoria are the only team in the drop zone who can escape – with Lecce, who they trail by two points, the team they are most likely to overhaul.

Lecce are away to Bari, while Cesena, who are just four points ahead of Sampdoria, play host to Brescia.

The striker netted again five minutes into injury time to secure an unlikely comeback victory for the defending champions.

Inter, second in the table, are five points behind league leaders Milan, who play Bologna at home on Sunday.

With three rounds of the season still to come, even if Milan beat Bologna they must wait until next weekend at the earliest to secure their first Scudetto since 2004.

In Saturday’s other match, third-placed Napoli beat Genoa 1-0 to secure their first win in three matches.

Slovak Marek Hamsik scored the winner for Napoli with eight minutes remaining at the Stadio Sao Paolo.

Napoli are six points behind Milan and one back from Inter, but hold an eight-point buffer ahead of fourth-placed Lazio.