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Toro near Bianchi deal Tuesday 22 January, 2008

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Former Reggina marksman Rolando Bianchi could complete a loan move to Torino this week.

The 24-year-old hasn’t found regular football at Manchester City since arriving in an £8.8m deal last summer and there have been regular reports linking him with a return to Serie A.

These rumours have intensified with the news that City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has granted Bianchi permission to leave the club.

Torino are languishing in 16th and are badly in need of an injection of goals. Coach Walter Novellino admitted earlier in the week that Granata President Urbano Cairo has his heart set on Bianchi.

“It’s obvious that we have a shortage of strikers and the President is working really hard to try and bring in a great striker like Rolando Bianchi,” the ex-Sampdoria tactician told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“David Di Michele missed pre-season, Nicola Ventola has been sidelined with a knee injury and I am aware that we haven’t had a full complement of attacking options.”

Bianchi has been back in Italy over the last few days with agent Tullio Tinti, but he is due to leave Bergamo Airport for Manchester today so that he can discuss his future at Eastlands.

Reports suggest that Toro could pay £200,000 to take Bianchi on loan until June and then must pay £5m if they want to secure his services on a permanent basis.

Lazio remain interested in the former Azzurrini star, but they are not expected to try and derail Torino’s bid as they look to other targets.

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