This summer a few Premier League clubs could be looking to recruit a few top players in Italy, here are the top five most likely to be sought after:

1. Gianluigi Buffon

Juventus’ goalkeeper’s stay at the club could finally come to end after the Old Lady suffered an awful season, missing out on Champions League qualification and being humiliated twice in Europe. The best goalkeeper in the world has spent nine years in Turin and has been a flawless performer for Juve, he even had the grace to stay with the club after they were relegated to Serie B as part of the match-fixing scandal. After being so loyal to the club for so long then he deserves to move on, Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City have been linked with the Italian custodian.

City are probably the least likely to land him after Buffon said that the club were not big enough for him. With Arsenal, Arsene Wenger has promised to spend this summer and with them desperately in need of goalkeeper Buffon could be who they turn to. Manchester United also need a goalkeeper but with the purse strings said to be tightened this summer it remains to be seen whether or not they could afford his services.

2. Felipe Melo

The Brazilian midfielder has had a bad season with Juventus, after signing from Fiorentina last summer he hasn’t been able to fit into the team’s existing set-up. He was perhaps harshly and hastely voted the worst Serie A signing of the season back in December and as the demands in the football world have increased so much, he could be shown the door after just one year at Juve. He isn’t a popular figure in Turin either, with fans often viewing him as a scapegoat and reguarly boo him and get on his back so they won’t be said to see him leave.

Juve were somehow able to lure him to the club ahead of Arsenal’s last summer and it could be that the North London side finally get their man and at a possible cut-price deal as well. Arsenal need another midfielder and if Wenger can get the best out of Melo then they will have a top player on their hands. Although Juventus really should give him another season, they may feel that they need to cash on him now, because another bad year would cause his price-tag to fall even more.

3. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Huntelaar has found it difficult to adapt to Serie A following his summer move to AC Milan from Real Madrid. The Dutchman has scored just seven times in 26 appearances for the club, again he could be another case of patience wearing thin in football and be moved on after just a season in Milan. In fact Real Madrid sold him to Milan after just six months so this summer the Dutchman could find himself playing for his fourth club in just two years!

Tottenham have recently been credited with an interest in Huntelaar and he could be just the signing that they need. A big name striker is what they appear to be after and Huntelaar would fit the bill perfectly, he has yet to try his hand in the Premiership and his qualities would be perfectly suited to the league.

4. Aleksandar Kolarov

The left-back has been attracting interest for some time now and finally looks set to depart Lazio this summer. The 24-year-old, nicknamed the ‘Serbian Roberto Carlos’ has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester City, and with both in need of a left back a move could become a reality. Chelsea have also been briefly mentioned as they could need a new left back should Ashley Cole decide to join former manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Like his nickname suggests, he is a very attacking full-back with a lot of pace and a good shooting ability, particularly from set-pieces. Kolarov has a lot of potential and could go on to become one of the world’s greatest left backs, he has been a key player for Lazio in the last three years and has finally earned a move to a big club.

5. Mario Balotelli

Inter Milan’s troubled youngster could be lighting up the Premiership after a terbulant time at the club. Balotelli had a love-hate relationship with former manager Jose Mourinho and it will be interesting to see what likely new manager, Rafa Benitez decides to do with him. His problems aren’t restricted just to the manager either, President Massimo Moratti has previously told him that he needs to pull his weight for the club. He hasn’t endeared himself to the fans either by infamously being caught on camera trying on an AC Milan shirt.

Despite Mourinho’s exit, Balotelli will still have a lot of bridges to mend, and it may be that it would be in his best interests to start afresh. Arsenal have been credited with the most interest in Balotelli and if Wenger could help him to curb his attitude then he could have a truly phenominal player on his hands. His ability to find the back of the net and his skills on the ball are first class for a 19-year-old and there is no telling where he could go from here.

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