Juventus and Italy legend Andrea Pirlo has claimed that Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali is the best player in Serie A - ahead of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala.
Tonali is currently taking part in his first season in the Italian top flight, where his performances have been widely praised despite Brescia sitting bottom of the table and nine points from safety.
A who's who of Europe's top clubs - including Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain - have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old, who has been dubbed as 'the next Pirlo'.
The man himself insists that Tonali has a different playing style to his own, but does believe that the youngster is already among Serie A's elite players.
"He is very good but he is different from me on the pitch," Pirlo told Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.
"He has everything to be a champion but he is more a midfielder for a two-man midfield. He could already play for a great team; he is the best in this league."
Tonali has made 24 appearances this season, scoring one goal and creating five.
Barney Corkhill
