CASSANO: THE ITALIAN WONDERKID

SERIE A leaders Roma have signalled their intention to dominate Italian football for the next decade by completing the signing of Bari wonderkid Antonio Cassano, so Opta took a look at the hottest property to emerge in Italy since Roberto Baggio over 10 years ago, and looked to see why there has been so much hype surrounding the youngster in recent months.

Many of Europe' top clubs were interested in procuring Cassano's services, with Juventus, Manchester United and Roma following his every move over the course of the season. But it appears that the lure of playing alongside his idol, current Italian Player of the Year Francesco Totti, has proved to be the deciding factor in swaying Cassano's choice Roma's way.

There are certainly many similarities between the two creative forwards. So far this season, Cassano has chipped in with five goals as Bari have battled to avoid the drop to Serie B, provoking comparison's with Totti's tendencies to grab goals from midfield. And Cassano's form in recent weeks has been particularly impressive.

Over the last seven matches, Cassano has terrorised opposition defenders by embarking on 33 dribbles, more than any other player at the club. And he has been extremely successful, getting past his marker in 58% of his dribbles - a better rating than Serie A greats such as Zinedine Zidane, Stefano Fiore and Alessandro Del Piero.

When Cassano has got into attacking positions, he has been extremely useful. He has been successful with 23% of his crosses, which makes him more accurate than Lazio's creative midfielders Juan Veron and Pavel Nedved.

Consequently, Cassano has managed to set up two goals over the last seven games, form which has undoubtedly prompted Roma's £12 million bid.

A regular in the Italian Under-21 side, where Cassano has scored three goals in four games this season, the 18-year-old will be hoping to make the step up to full international honours before long. He will however, first have to force his way into Roma's first team, which could prove difficult.

Fabio Cappello already has Italian internationals Marco Delvecchio, Vincenzo Montella and Argentine legend Gabriel Batistuta fighting it out over the two striking places. And competition for Cassano's favoured role behind the front two is even tougher, with Totti and Japanese superstar Hidetoshi Nakata vying for just one place.

But Cappello clearly feels that Cassano has the talent to make a huge impact in Serie A over the next few years, and will undoubtedly accommodate his skills at Roma when the youngster joins the club in the summer.