After the January transfer window, Football Italia looks at three Italian players with an uncertain future at their current clubs and whether they have a chance to play for the Azzurri at the Euros.
Luciano Spalletti is already preparing for the 2024 Euros where the Azzurri will defend the continental title they conquered in a Final against England at Wembley Stadium three years ago.
The former Napoli coach was appointed in September 2023 to replace Roberto Mancini, and although he has already decided on a few players who will be part of the team in June, others are yet to be assessed, and the next few months will be crucial to determine their involvement in the Azzurri squad.
Some of those have an uncertain future and could leave their current clubs in the January transfer window or at the end of the campaign. Let’s take a look at who they are and what to expect in the coming months.
Stefano Sensi
The Inter midfielder’s contract runs out in June and the Nerazzurri were willing to sell him for €2m last month. Italian coach Enzo Maresca was eager to sign the former Monza and Sampdoria loanee at Leicester City and had already spoken to the player, persuading him to join the English Championship leaders. The Foxes seemed the most likely destination for Sensi, but the deal eventually collapsed on the deadline day, so Sensi will leave the Stadio Meazza at the end of his contract in June. The Italian has only made three Serie A appearances this term and even if Spalletti may need a quality deep-lying playmaker in Germany, Sensi’s stay at San Siro means he won’t be called up in the summer. The 28-year-old hasn’t played a game for Italy since March 2022.
Nicolò Zaniolo
The former Roma striker joined Aston Villa on an initial loan deal with an option to buy from Galatasaray last summer. Despite a promising start to life under Unai Emery, the Italian has fallen down the Spanish tactician’s pecking order lately and Aston Villa are not expected to make his move permanent at the end of the season. Zaniolo was involved in a betting scandal in October but was not suspended like his compatriots Nicolò Fagioli and Sandro Tonali, as it emerged he had not gambled on football games but only placed bets on casino games.
Moise Kean
The versatile Juventus striker is currently out of action with a fibula injury, and with Arek Milik and Kenan Yildiz putting in convincing performances for the Old Lady, the ex-Everton striker could see his playing time reduced in the second part of the campaign. A loan move to Atletico Madrid collapsed in the January transfer window, but Kean still has a chance to be included in the Italy squad at the Euros. Spalletti rates the ex-Everton forward highly, especially because of his versatility, so if he makes an impact in Turin in the second part of the season, he could be called up by the Azzurri boss this summer. Kean hasn’t yet scored in 12 appearances with the Serie A giants this season.