Italy have opened a fresh battle with Ghana in the scramble for future world-class players after talented striker Kingsley Boateng was invited by the the European country’s U19 side. The 17-year-old, who plays for giants AC Milan, was handed his first call to the Italian youth national team on Friday. Boateng has been at Milan since 2007 and was born in Pordenone, Italy to Ghanaian parents. He had expressed interest in playing for Ghana but the Italians have swooped to grab him before the Black Stars cap him. Boateng is among 21 players summoned by the coach of Italy Under-19 Alberigo Evani for the two friendlies against Montenegro next week. The national team will gather on Saturday at Mancini Park Hotel in Rome, where they will have their first training session on Sunday morning before leaving for Montenegro. Boateng is the latest player to be involved in a tug-of-war between Ghana and Italy after Mario Balotelli who opted for the European country. Ghana FA president attempted to meet Kingsley Boateng last month when he went to Milan to see rebel Kevin Prince Boateng. The younger Boateng was then recovering from injury and was not around to meet the Kwesi Nyantakyi. Italy U19 squad Goalkeepers: Pigliacelli (Rome), Piscitelli (Milan); Defenders: Almici (Gubbio), Bianchetti (Inter Milan), Di Chiara (Palermo), Ely (Milan), Fornasier (Manchester United), Liviero (Juventus), Pecorino (Inter), loans (Palermo); Midfielders: Busellato (Citadel), Schiavone (Juventus), Sturaro (Genoa), Vassallo (Palermo), Verres (Rome); Forwards: Boateng (Milan), Beltrame (Juventus), Ciciretti (Rome), De Silvestro (Juventus), Fiamozzi (Varese), Rosset (Siena)