AC Milan join race for Sunderland's Emanuele Giaccherini after Euro 2016 goal

Giaccherini shone for his country in their opening group game against Belgium, with the 31-year-old opening the scoring and helping Italy to a shock 2-0 victory.

But Sunderland are still expected to sanction Giaccherini’s permanent exit this summer, with only a year remaining on a Black Cats contract worth around £40,000 a week after the midfielder spent last season on loan at Bologna.

Giaccherini would be happy to re-join Bologna, yet they are struggling to raise the money needed to match either his wages, or Sunderland’s £2million asking price.

But Torino and Fiorentina are firmly in the race to sign the former Juventus man, while there have been reports in Italy that Milan are now also interested in a player who cost Sunderland £6.5m three years ago.

While Giaccherini struggled to adapt to English football - albeit he wasn’t helped by injuries and a conveyor belt of managers - he has thrived back in his homeland and shouldn’t struggle to find a new club as Sam Allardyce bids to offload those considered surplus to requirements at Sunderland.

There was even talk earlier this summer that Giaccherini could be a target for Chelsea, when Antonio Conte leaves his role in charge of the Italian national team to take the reins at Stamford Bridge.

One of Giaccherini’s agents, Giulio Marinelli, believes he could be on the move for less than £2m too, albeit any switch will be on ice until after the European Championships.

“There is great satisfaction for the goal yesterday, especially for him after a difficult season, coming back to Italy and regaining his national team place,” Marinelli told reporters in Italy.

“As for the transfer market, I can say there was already interest in Giaccherini before the European Championships.

“I’ve read the speculation about his price tag, but he only has a contract at Sunderland for one year, so the price can be under £2m.

“Right now, he’s only thinking about the Euro’s and the very short term.”