Report: Crotone emerge as the latest potential loan destination for Rolando Mandragora

After barely seeing the field during the 2016-17 campaign, it’s safe to say that Rolando Mandragora is in need of some playing time. And not just as a substitute, but certainly starting a healthy amount of games while also being physically healthy as well.

We’ve heard of Cagliari being interested in signing him on loan. And now we can add another team or two to the apparent list of suitors trying to bring in the young midfielder this summer.

Crotone have entered the mix to try and acquire the 20-year-old Mandragora on loan for the upcoming season, according to Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio on Thursday. Di Marzio also adds that Bologna are interested in signing Mandragora on loan, meaning that a trio of Serie A clubs that will likely be trying to not get relegated this season are vying for the youngster’s services in the final month of the transfer window.

And either one of those three clubs seems like a good destination.

Like I said, Mandragora needs to play. And play regularly, too. For the past 18 months, Mandragora has done far more sitting and watching rather than being out on the field and showing the promise that a lot of people think he has. I mean, Mandragora had more appearances at the Under-20 World Cup this summer than he did all of last season for Juventus. Obviously, a lot of that was injury-related and who was playing in front of him in the center of the midfield, but the fact still remains.

Going out on loan seems like an inevitable thing for Mandragora this season. And that’s also a good thing.