Albion defender Leo Ostigard could move to Italy – and the thick of a relegation battle.

A potential loan deal at Genoa would see him work with one of the most feared defenders of Milan’s great days in the 1990s.

Ostigard is reported by various sources in Italy to be in Genoa today and close to completing a move for the rest of the season.

However it is understood via a well-placed source closer to home that several clubs remain interested in him, be it on a loan deal or more permanent. 

A move to Genoa would offer Ostigard a very different challenge to that he has faced at promotion-chasing Stoke so far this term.

Genoa are five points adrift of safety at the halfway stage of the season with just one win in 19 matches.

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The move would bring him under the orders of head coach Andrej Shevchenko and assistant Mauro Tassotti, the hard-as-nails right-back who won five Serie A titles and three European Cups with Milan.

The hope in the Italian port city is Ostigard will be available to join the squad as they resume league action away to Sassuolo on Thursday.

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Stoke boss Michael O’Neill last week unilaterally announced the Norwegian would be heading back to Albion.

However it was always likely that would only happen if the Seagulls had a suitable new destination for the player.