Lecce have quickly emerged as Serie A‘s unexpected high-flyers in 2023/24. Alongside Inter, the Giallorossi maintained the longest unbeaten record in the top flight before both fell to losses on Matchday 6, an incredible feat for the club.
Director of football Pantaleo Corvino has assembled the side with his typical expertise. The Salentini have the youngest squad in Serie A with 17 players born after 2000, and seven of those came through the academy. Lecce also have the lowest salary bill in the Italian top flight.
However, this comes with its downsides, as there are already reports emerging of clubs sniffing around several of the club’s talents.
A report from Calcio Mercato detailed that at least four players are already facing interest from Serie A’s elites, with some having interest from the English Premier League.
Which Lecce players are facing interest?
Wladimiro Falcone
Twenty-eight-year-old Wladimiro Falcone has had a great start to the Serie A season, making an average of 2.8 saves per game.
With such good form, the Italian is quickly gaining interest from several clubs. AS Roma currently leads the list of clubs with an interest in the goalkeeper and there is a belief that the Giallorossi desperately need to upgrade on Rui Patricio. There is also interest coming from the Premier League.
At 28, Falcone is reaching, if not already in, the prime of his career, which would offer great value for a number of clubs. Falcone has a market value of €5 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Nikola Krstovic
Nikola Krstovic arrived in Salento during the 2023/24 summer transfer window and is being touted for another move. The striker has got his Lecce career off to a flying start by scoring three goals in his first three appearances.
The 23-year-old arrived for only €4m, meaning the Lupi could potentially turn a quick profit on their new striker if they were to look to sell in the upcoming transfer windows.
Inter and AC Milan representatives have attended games to scout the striker, so the club could face a challenge in keeping their new signing as soon as the January transfer window opens. However, with him being just 23, there is the potential for him to grow into an exceptional striker.
Gabriel Strefezza & Pontus Almqvist
Both Gabriel Strefezza and Pontus Almqvist have been the topic of conversations outside of Italy.
The Brazilian Strefezza has already shown his value to the Salentini, scoring and carving out chances for his teammates as well. In addition to this, the 27-year-old has made an average of two key passes per game, which offers value to his teammates.
Almqvist has also found his name on the scoresheet this term. At 24, there is a lot of time for the Swede to develop further given he is able to play across the front three.
