Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi says the odds are stacked against clubs seeking to sign local talent.
Corsi insists it's easier to shop abroad than at home.
"You can see why some people buy abroad, because there are no guarantees. Serie C was the core of our youth football, now players are bought from South America.
"If I buy a player with a deal over five years, there are some people who don't fulfil these promises, and that's why many teams are virtually full of foreigners."