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Manchester United for Felipe Anderson? Five Serie A players who could move to the Premier League

Felipe Anderson of SS Lazio in action
Image: Felipe Anderson has been linked with Manchester United

Serie A has proved a lucrative market for Premier League clubs in January, and we have the inside track on the latest transfer gossip from our colleagues at Sky Italy.

As we pass the midway point of the transfer window, they have selected five talents from Italy's top flight who could make the move to England this month, including an update on reports of Manchester United's interest in a Brazilian midfielder.

So which of Italy's brightest talents could your team sign this month? Let's take a look...

Felipe Anderson - Lazio

We start with the big story, and that's Felipe Anderson. Manchester United reportedly offered 44m euros (£33m) for the winger, but Lazio turned them down. The club's owner Claudio Lotito is desperate to keep the player, and it's difficult to see a way that Anderson will leave the club this window.

 Felipe Anderson of SS Lazio greets the fans
Image: Anderson greets the Lazio fans, but it's been a difficult season for the Brazilian so far

But, after an impressive campaign last season, it's not been plain sailing this term and summer could be different. Lazio coach Stefano Pioli criticised the forward amid claims he is awaiting a bonus payment before quitting the club, suggesting Anderson "could do a lot more" after substituting him at half-time against Carpi. 

Gregoire Defrel - Sassuolo

Gregoire Defrel of Sassuolo could be on the move in January
Image: Gregoire Defrel of Sassuolo could be on the move in January

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew wants a striker, and we've got two suggestions.

A move for Fiorentina's Khouma Babacar would be extremely tough, but a deal for Gregoire Defrel, the French striker from Sassuolo, could be a more realistic option. The 24-year-old, who has played his entire career in Italy, is a good dribbler and has scored twice in 11 league starts.

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Palace are thought to have a budget of 15m euros (£11.2m) to buy one of them, and Defrel could be that man.

Oscar Hiljemark - Palermo

Southampton, Everton and Norwich scouts were at the Bentegodi Stadium in Verona on January 10 to scout Oscar Hiljemark, Palermo's Swedish midfielder.

Oscar Hiljemark, new player of Palermo, signs his new contract on July 13, 2015 in Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria.  (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
Image: Oscar Hiljemark only joined Palermo from PSV last year

Hiljemark has made a strong impact in Serie A since joining Palermo from PSV last year, with three goals in four matches at the beginning of the season, although he has cooled off since and is without a goal since September.

He captained Sweden U21s to the U21 European Championship last summer and has been linked with AC Milan and Napoli, but Hiljemark could prove a useful signing for mid-table Premier League sides looking for a creative central midfielder.

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Mario Suarez - Fiorentina

Mario Suarez has not convinced manager Paulo Sousa that he is worth a regular starting spot following his move from Atletico Madrid in July, and he could be available this month.

The midfielder has only made five league starts with a single goal, and Fiorentina would be open to selling if they receive an interesting offer. Watford and Liverpool are reportedly keen on the player. 

Mario Suarez of Fiorentina gets away from Falcao of Chelsea during a Pre Season Friendly
Image: Mario Suarez of Fiorentina gets away from Falcao during a preseason friendly

Regarding Jurgen Klopp, the Reds boss also has his eye on another Serie A player. We believe he is considering Inter Milan centre-back Andrea Ranocchia as defensive cover following the club's injury problems this month, although the Italian club have not received an offer yet.

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View from Germany: Klopp's LFC

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Marcel Buchel - Empoli (on loan from Juventus)

Buchel has two goals and an assist in 14 league appearances for eighth-place Empoli, and there are rumors that Stoke City boss Mark Hughes is an admirer.

Mario Suarez and Marcel Buchel are both transfer targets for Premier League clubs
Image: Mario Suarez (left) and Marcel Buchel (right) are both transfer targets for Premier League clubs

The midfielder has a keen eye for a pass and would fit into Stoke's possession style, and he could be an intriguing option in a team that already boasts Ibrahim Afellay in a central role.

His current loan complicates matters for the Premier League side, though, as Stoke would have to talk with both Empoli and Juventus to strike any deal.

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