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Could Michael Bradley be making a move back to Italy's Serie A?
Take it away, Gianluca DiMarzio:
Sampdoria are looking not only to strengthen their attack but also their midfield. The Blucerchiati are interested in former Roma and Chievo midfielder Michael Bradley who currently plays for Toronto FC in the MLS as well as the US Mens National Team in the Copa America.
Kurtis Larson of the Toronto Sun confirmed the rumor and nixed any hope of the move with a single tweet:
Can confirm Sampdoria approach for Toronto FC's Michael Bradley.
— Kurtis Larson (@KurtLarSUN) June 20, 2016
Talks (if you want to call them that) short-lived. TFC not interested.
Bradley previously played in Serie A with Chievo Verona and Roma. He moved to MLS in the 2014 winter transfer window.
Many people want Bradley to leave MLS. Although he's a leader on and off the field for Toronto FC, there's been a noticeable regression in his play at both the club and international level. Although his decline may be due to tactical and positional instability, he's clearly not playing as well as when he was in Europe, particularly Italy.
It's doubtful that Bradley leaves MLS because nobody in Europe is going to pay him $6.5 million dollars per year. Even if they were, Toronto doesn't seem to be interested in parting ways with him.
Realistically, it shouldn't matter what jersey he is wearing or what league he's playing in. What does matter is that he's giving the ball away too much in the defensive third. I don't know if a move to Serie A, Ligue 1, or the Nemzeti Bajnokság is going to change that.