The 23-year-old Aquilani has been tipped for the top following a series of impressive performances for his boyhood heroes Roma.
Having made the breakthrough at the end of the 2005-06 season, many pundits felt Aquilani would take Serie A by storm the following season, but that was scuppered by injury.
However, last summer, he starred for Italy in the European Under-21 Championship, forcing his way into the Team of the Tournament.
That sort of form won him a place in Roberto Donadoni's squad for Euro 2008 qualifiers against France and Ukraine.
His superb ranger of passing and his ability to score spectacular goals have reportedly attracted interest from some of Europe's top clubs such as Arsenal, but he has expressed his desire to stay in the Italian capital.
Aquilani may struggle to feature in Austria and Switzerland, but given that many of those ahead of him are in their 30's, he should become a key player for the Azurri in years to come.
















Italy