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I know everyone loves their Vietnamese language reports, and this time we have one from Australian based site Bao Victoria, and found by the legend himself, RevGunner.
Are the #NERevs really after Alberto Aquilani? https://t.co/yPiIgu2L6S
— RevGunner (@RevGunner) December 18, 2015
The rough translation is similar to an early story we covered about Lee Nguyen going back to Vietnam and the Revs targeting a U-23 player Vietnamese player. This time the Revs are targeting midfielder Alberto Aquilani from partner club Sporting CP to replace Nguyen when he returns to Vietnam.
Since that's not happening, there is an alternative scenario that is far more plausible. Aquilani is an Italian midfielder for Sporting that isn't getting much playing time in the Portuguese Liga, but is a regular for the Lions in Europa League and domestic cup competitions.
Here's our starting XI! #LetsGoLions pic.twitter.com/7VrrD3aVp6
— Sporting CP_en (@SportingCP_en) December 16, 2015
It's far more likely that the Revolution could be thinking about taking Aquilani on loan for 2016 as a replacement for the still unsigned Jermaine Jones. Aquilani is making a little over $1 million dollars in salary, and he does have a lengthy injury history as well as a pretty impressive playing resume. The 31-year old came up through the Roma youth ranks and played on the senior team from 2002-09 before stops at Liverpool, with loans to Juventus and Milan, and Fiorentina before moving to Sporting earlier this year.
The New England Revolution coaching staff was going to be visiting Portugal in December and three young players, Donnie Smith, Zachary Herivaux and Sean Okoli, are also training with the team.