Sebastian Giovinco: Would Juventus Really Consider Selling Him?

Despite only standing 5'5", Sebastian Giovinco is one of Italy's biggest prospects in nearly a decade.

However, despite his potential, the Juve hierarchy seems to be always rumored to be possibly letting go of the pint-sized midfielder and future No. 10.

It's no secret to Juve fans about transfer cheif Alessio Secco's failures since he took over from Luciano Moggi in 2006. Names like Jean-Alain Boumsong, Tiago Mendes, and Sergio Almiron come to mind as the biggest flops of Secco's rule.

While Juve was negotiating to bring Brazilian striker Amauri to Turin, Palermo demanded Giovinco as one of the players to be involved in the deal. While there were reports that said Juve wouldn't let go of their youth team prize, there were an equal number of reports saying that Secco might actually include him in the deal.

Luckily, Secco thought twice about including him in the deal, instead including Giovinco's Under-21 teammates midfielder Antonio Nocerino and Davide Lanzafame, who joined Palermo on a co-ownership agreement.

Now, while in a contract dispute with his hometown club, there is word that England's Big Four are thinking about swooping in for the 21-year-old if the issues are not resolved.

"After the unsuccessful but useful first meeting last Thursday, we still have to meet again with Juve," Giovinco's agent Claudio Pasqualin said. "But the climate is of great collaboration and a project aimed at not only economic but also technical progress—and with great perspective."

And despite bringing Giovinco and fellow midfielder and U-21 teammate Claudio back from their year-long loan spell at Empoli, Juve still signed another midfielder, Christian Poulsen, this week.

The reports coming out of Italy suggest that Giovinco and his agent are far from happy with Secco's offer, causing the Big Four of England to think there's a chance.

Would Juve really consider selling the jewel of their youth system? Time will only tell. But with Secco at the helm, things are always interesting.