Black Stars Coaches Eye Palermo Star Afriyie Acquah

In their bid to strengthen the Black Stars ahead of the rest of the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers, sources say the technical handlers of the senior national team are contemplating recalling midfielder Afriyie Acquah of Italian Serie A side, Palermo. The 20-year-old is said to have impressed the Stars handlers in his debut in the Ghana-Chile friendly on February 29 this year, and may, therefore, earn his second call-up during the team�s next qualifier. Having featured for the two junior sides � Under-17 and Under-20 � the player is said to have gained the necessary exposure and experience as he demonstrated against Chile and is set to blossom in the senior national team. Since his promotion to the first team of the Italian Serie A side in 2010, coming on as a substitute against Fiorentina after spending a year with the Under-19 squad, Acquah has always been on the ride. Indeed, from his days with Glentoran Academy through Bechem United to Palermo, Acquah�s hard work and discipline, coupled with his natural flair, has put him above his peers. No wonder Serie A sides; Parma, Siena and Atlanta have all expressed interest in the Sunyani-born player after just 23 appearances. Unfortunately, the player would have to wait for a while because the president of Palermo, Maurizio Zamparini, has declared the player �not for sale.� The player himself is reported to have said �I would like to stay at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, even if there is an increment in my purported transfer fee of �6 million.� Parma are said to be ready to pay in excess of that figure but the Ghanaian international, originally a transfer target for Premiership side, Arsenal FC, is likely to stay with the Rosanero. Acquah�s local agent, Oliver Arthur, the Chief Executive Officer of ArthurLegacy Sports Management Ltd and a licensed FIFA agent, confirmed. Mr Arthur said the player was safe with Palermo and there was no need to rush him.