What have Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal got in common? Apart from having an 'e' in their names, they have all been linked to Alessio Cerci. 

The Torino attacker could pep up one lucky Premier League squad in the January transfer window. But who is the frizzy-haired Cerci (pronounced "Chair-chee")?

Background

Cerci was born in Velletri, in the province of Rome, in 1987. He joined local side Roma's youth system and developed so well that Fabio Capello handed him his first team debut at the age of 16, in May 2004. That quarter-of-an-hour cameo in an end-of-season 0-0 was the high point of his time at the club.

The youngster didn't convince the procession of coaches who replaced Capello, and was loaned to Brescia, Pisa and Atalanta over the next three seasons. Once back at his parent club, Cerci couldn't woo boss Claudio Ranieri, and joined Fiorentina for €4million in August 2010.

During a successful spell in Tuscany, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini supposedly made enquiries about the well-travelled starlet. In the summer of 2012 avuncular Torino coach Giampiero Ventura, who worked with Cerci at Pisa, bought the player for an initial €2.5m (which rose to €6m).

The effervescent 26-year-old has sizzled in Turin. This year he already has eight league goals, equalling his total for 2012/13. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli gave Cerci his debut against Brazil in March 2013, on the right of an attacking three. The Roman, capped at all levels from Under16, has made nine senior appearances and will be in next year's World Cup squad.

Style and strengths

In his younger days Cerci was compared to Thierry Henry for his speed on the break and finishing, but that was just good-willed hyperbole. Torino chief Ventura says: "Alessio is a universal player."

Originally a winger, left-footed Cerci often plays on the right. His accurate crosses, more lofted than whipped in, regularly find their target. He has all the skills associated with the best widemen - speed, technique, dribbling ability and good stamina.

Prandelli sees him as an impact sub against tiring defences in the heat at next summer's World Cup. "He is an interesting player with a good shot, he's very motivated," says the Azzurri boss.

His future in the national team is on the flank via the bench, but Cerci's versatility has been crucial to his fine club form this term, where he has also shone centrally. "For months I read that he couldn't play as a second striker. Well he's proved everyone wrong," said Ventura.

Weaknesses

Cerci should score more. His league ratio is about one every three games, which is respectable. But he has the weaponry to be a 20-goals-a-season man. Aesthetic weakness: his hair band looks daft.

How will he fit into a new team?

The thrilling mop-top's cutting-in-from-the-wing routine doesn't feel like something Spurs, Arsenal or Chelsea lack. He could offer Liverpool and United more quality from wide though. Anyone looking for a lively, quicksilver second striker would also benefit.

Did you know?

Cerci is a boyhood Roma fan, but his goal in Torino's 1-1 draw with the Giallorossi in October ended his former team's ten match winning streak. The man who once said "Roma is my life" should avoid the Eternal City for a few months.

Source: Daily Mirror