Diego Forlan joins Inter Milan; Zlatan Ibrahimovic favourite to be top Serie A goalscorer

By Dylan Jenear on 29/08/2011 22:02

Inter Milan’s search for a replacement for Samuel Eto’o is over as Diego Forlan today (Sunday, August 29) confirmed that he will be joining Inter Milan from Atletico Madrid.

Speaking at a press conference in Madrid, the 32-year-old Uruguay international said: ‘I am going to a great club and there is a big challenge ahead of me. I want to thank Massimo Moratti for this chance.

‘I have already spoken with Esteban Cambiasso and Diego Milito, they are my friends. I know Serie A having watched many games on television and I am very happy to be playing in Italy after my time in the Premier League and Liga.’

Forlan scored a comparatively paltry eight times for Atletico last term, but was awarded the Golden Ball at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, and underlined his credentials by scoring twice for his country as they say off Paraguay in the final of this year’s Copa America. In total, the striker netted 96 times for Atletico in four seasons at the Vicente Caldron, including a haul of 35 goals during the 2008/09 campaign.

Inter Milan have also announced the signing of Italian Under-21 midfielder Andrea Poli from Sampdoria, as they bid to regain their grip on the Italian top-flight, having seen city rivals AC Milan secure the Scudetto last season, in turn ending the Nerazzurri’s five-year dominance. The Rossoneri are favourites across the board to retain the Serie A title during 2011/12.

Once Forlan is introduced into the betting for the Serie A top goalscorer, one suspects he will be priced at around the 12-1 mark, alongside fellow Beneamata hitman Giampaolo Pazzini, but the market is currently headed by AC’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Just behind Ibra is Napoli’s Edinson Cavani who, like Forlan, hails from Uruguay.

Cavani became the highest goalscorer in a single season in Napoli’s history last term and I reckon he’s worth backing to outscore everyone else in Serie A during the 2011/12 campaign, about which Betfred are most generous, offering odds of 10-1. The 24-year-old should be at the peak of his powers this season and he will no doubt be aware that another good haul in the Italian top-flight would put him in pole position for a big-money move this time next year.

Recommendation: Edinson Cavani to be top goalscorer in Serie A 2011/12