Four Premier League clubs in hunt for bargain wildcard transfer of Italy centre-back Federico Baschirotto for £8m

FEDERICO BASCHIROTTO is being considered as a bargain transfer wildcard by FOUR Premier League clubs.

The defender recently broke into the Italy squad after a series of impressive displays for Lecce.

Italian defender Federico Baschirotto is being chased by four Prem clubsRex

The 26-year-old is set to be available for the bargain price on £8mRex

The 26-year-old could now be heading to England from Serie A in a cut-price £8million deal.

Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United have been leading the chase for Baschirotto.

Both sides are looking to bolster their backlines before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

And Fulham and West Ham have also been monitoring his displays and situation over recent months.

The London duo are also both keen to strengthen their defences.

The ex-Cremonese ace arrived at the Stadio Via del mare last year but helped them to survive in the top-flight during his first season at the club.

Baschirotto is highly-rated by Lecce but he only has two years remaining on his contract.

And now they are of interest from the Premier League, they are willing to do business and sell him for just £8m.

Baschirotto’s performances not only caught the eye of English teams.

Roberto Mancini, who this week quit as Italy boss, handed him his first international call-up in May for a training camp ahead of the Uefa Nations League Finals.

However, Baschirotto recently revealed that he almost missed his big chance with the Azzurri when the phone call came.

He said: “The number was not in my contacts. I thought somebody wanted to congratulate staying in Serie A or it could have been a promotional call.

“I thought: ‘If it’s something important, they’ll call again.”

But as soon as he realised it was Mancini and answered, he instantly told him: “Tell me where and when, and I’ll come even by foot!”