Former AC Milan and Real Madrid chief Arrigo Sacchi has backed Juventus' pursuit of Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano.

Sacchi, who worked with Cassano at Real, said: "I have always said that Antonio is a great talent. I think he may be the heir to Del Piero, of course, when Alex decides to stop playing.

"But as long as Cassano is able to acquire the same maturity and the same balance of Del Piero, he deserves to go there. When this happens, Italian football will have found a new great icon."