According to reports in Italy, Roberto Mancini is keen to add Adnan Januzaj to his Internazionale squad when the transfer window reopens.
The 19-year-old has spent the past three years in England, having linked up with the Manchester United academy back in the summer of 2011. Januzaj made his breakthrough at Old Trafford last season, when despite the Reds enduring their worst campaign since the inception of the Premier League, he enjoyed an impressive campaign and scored four goals in 27 appearances.
Such performances earned him a place in the Belgium squad for the World Cup Finals, and he has now gone on to represent his country on five occasions. However, this term he has found it difficult to force his way into Louis van Gaal’s plans. He was again left on the bench for the 3-0 win against Liverpool on Sunday, meaning he has made just 10 league outings during the current season.
This has led to speculation that the Dutch coach is prepared to let the teenager leave the club in the New Year, albeit only on a temporary basis, to allow him the chance of regular first team football. Since former United manager David Moyes took charge of Real Sociedad, the winger has been linked with the Spanish club, but it now appears as though he could instead head to Serie A.
According to The Express and La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mancini has added Januzaj to his list of potential targets at Inter. The former Manchester City coach is determined to return the Nerazzurri to the UEFA Champions League next season, a task which is looking increasingly unlikely, and he hopes he can persuade his old rivals to let him take their number 11 for the rest of the campaign.
Inter, meanwhile, have not won a league game since Mancini made his return and have suffered defeat in both of their last two. They travel to Chievo on Monday night knowing anything less than three points would be another blow to their chances of making the top-three, but their 50-year-old coach remains confident his side, currently in 12th position, will soon be on the up.
“I am convinced this side will challenge for the Champions League,” said Mancini in his latest press conference. “It is the first time I have seen my lads absorb so much information so quickly. I am convinced we will fight for third place and for victory in the [UEFA] Europa League. The locker room mustn’t get knocked down, we need joy in there. This is the foundation for doing well.”
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