Serie A sides urged to sign Silvestri

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Ermes Fulgoni, who coached Buffon during his formative years at Parma, has been assessing the candidates who will one day replace the legendary 148-times capped Azzurri goalkeeper.

Fulgoni admits to being impressed by Genoa’s Mattia Perin and Marco Sportiello of Atalanta, but it is Leeds No 1 Silvestri, who he believes has all the attributes necessary to make it to the very top.

And speaking to Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato, Fulgoni urged Italy’s top clubs to put the signing of Silvestri at the top of their radar.

He said: “If clubs here understand anything, then it’s that you should try to bring back Marco Silvestri.

“He is the future goalkeeper of the Italian national team.”

Fulgoni, who is just back from a stint coaching in Japan, added: “[Leeds owner, Massimo] Cellino took him to Leeds, which is not a surprise.

“Perin is also a good goalkeeper, but then so too is Sportiello. But Silvestri has more in terms of physique.

“Technically, Manuel Neuer is not a phenomenon, but then when you see him in goal, you are in awe of him. That’s what Silvestri has and that makes the difference.”

Leeds signed Silvestri last summer from Chievo for a fee of around £400,000 and the 24-year-old earned widespread acclaim for his performances between the posts for the Whites.

The former Italy Under-21 stopper currently has three years left on his contract at Elland Road and was one of five players shortlisted for the club’s Player of the Season award.