Maccarone, who missed the first few weeks of the current campaign following an ankle injury, is struggling to find the touch that led to Boro paying
Empoli pounds 8.15m for his services 18 months ago.
Inter thumped
Empoli 3-0 yesterday to match their best winning run in Italy's top flight.
STRICKEN giants AC Milan ended their three-game losing streak but could still only manage a 0-0 draw at
Empoli -heaping more pressure on under-fire boss Carlo Ancelotti Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira hit the bar and the post in the first half but Ancelotti's struggling side once again came up short.
The Poland international is on a season-long loan at
Empoli and the Reds have scouted him extensively in Serie A this season.
The
Empoli midfielder has also spoken of his admiration for Philippe Coutinho, admitting he would welcome the chance to play with the Brazilian star.
FOOTBALL: Serie A - Serie A - Roma v Napoli (ESPN, Roma v Napoli (ESPN, - 11.30am), Fiorentina v - 11.30am), Fiorentina v Sampdoria (ESPN, 5.30pm), Juventus Sampdoria (ESPN, 5.30pm), Juventus v
Empoli (BT Sport 2, 7.45pm); English v
Empoli (BT Sport 2, 7.45pm); English Premier - Arsenal v Liverpool (BT Premier - Arsenal v Liverpool (BT Sport1, 12pm), Chelsea v Stoke (Sky Sport 1, 12pm), Chelsea v Stoke (Sky Sports 1, 4.45pm); La Liga - Cordoba v Sports 1, 4.45pm); La Liga - Cordoba v Atletico Madrid (Sky Sports 5, 5pm); Atletico Madrid (Sky Sports 5, 5pm); Bundesliga - Dortmund v Bayern Bundesliga - Dortmund v Bayern Munich (BT Sport 2, 5pm).
Fornasier is not the first Italian teenager signed by United - striker Federico Macheda joined from Lazio when he was 16, and another defender, Alberto Massacci, joined from
Empoli this summer.
ITALIAN club
Empoli are preparing a pounds 2million summer bid for Coventry's find of the season, Michael Mifsud.
Juve are now 10 points behind Inter while Roma moved just four points off top spot with a 2-1 home win over
Empoli.
The former Italy international joined Boro in a club record pounds 8.15m transfer from
Empoli in 2002.
Reports from the Continent have quoted the 24-year-old saying he wants to return to former club
Empoli on loan for the rest of the season.
Boro have broken their club record transfer fee to land pounds 8.15m
Empoli striker Maccarone, but it will be an even bigger story if they can persuade the Brazilian for a third time that his future lies on Teesside.
