Spalletti Left Sour By Steaua

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Goals from Moreno, Stancu and Neaga stunned the Giallorossi before Mirko Vucinic struck a sublime free kick to make the score line look a little more respectable.

Spalletti believes his side coped well and he has put the defeat down to Bucharest’s form advantage as the Romanian club begin their new season next week and there was clearly a visible gap between the fitness of both sides on the night..

“We can accept the loss as Steaua are much more in front than us in terms of preparation and fitness,” said the coach after the game.

“It was hard for us but we did keep things together. I am delighted with Vucinic’s goal. He fooled everyone and his effort was impeccable.

“We made a few errors which led to their goals but we need to ensure we are more careful in future. It was a good game for us as we were able to see where we are in terms of training.”

It's back to the training pitch for Roma and no doubt Spalletti will be putting his side through their paces as they continue to prepare for the new season.

Salvatore Landolina

Sensi Family Want Aquilani To Stay - Pradé

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Adrian Mutu's failed transfer to Roma is still a point of discussion. Now Giallorossi sporting director Daniele Pradé talked about this transfer story, revealing details about the negotiations with Fiorentina.

"Mutu was a Roma player in every respect," he said. "He had an economic agreement with us and he even accepted losing one million euros on his four-year contract for us to be able to reach the figure asked by [Viola sporting director Pantaleo] Corvino. Everything was confirmed, but then the deal collapsed."

Pradé also talked about the situation of Roma youth product Alberto Aquilani, the Italian international who is wanted by both Juventus and Inter: "For the Sensi family Aquilani is an unsellable player, Juventus correctly approached us, Cobolli Gigli asked Rosella Sensi about him, but he's not leaving."

It is widely known Roma are looking for a new striker to be able to compete with the likes of Inter, Milan and Juventus. Other players on their radar are Real Madrid's Julio Baptista and Bayern Munich stars Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose.

Danilo Pochini

No Roma Contact Over Silva - Agent

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The Giallorossi are looking for a midfielder to replace Amantino Mancini who recently moved to Inter.

Luciano Spalletti seems keen on the Los Che player and reports in both Spain and Italy claim that Roma were ready to tempt Valencia with offers.

However, Llorente has denied the speculation by insisting his client will remain in Valencia; although he was open to Silva moving abroad.

“Roma and Valencia have never met up and I haven’t heard any news of contacts between the clubs,” the agent told RomaNews.

“Silva still has a four year deal and he is happy at Valencia but if the club decides to sell we will evaluate the best move for his future.

“Roma is an important side and I believe it would be a good opportunity for the player, but Valencia do not want to sell him.”

Sportmediaset claims that Valencia have put a €22m price tag on the player but it seems as if Roma will only be prepared to spend €20m.

Salvatore Landolina

Roma Eyeing Bayern Jewels

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After the failed negotiations for Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu, Roma have already started to look around for another forward, which is considered crucial by the management to fight for the Scudetto. The Giallorossi are looking for a player who is as similar as possible to the Romanian.

The easiest objective would be Julio Baptista, who isn't sure of his future at Real Madrid, but coach Luciano Spalletti sees him more as a midfielder and isn't convinced. Roma are also following Chelsea's Florent Malouda, who could leave the club if the Blues were to sign Robinho.

But the Giallorossi's dream is Lukas Podolski, who might leave Bayern Munich if Mario Gomez joins from Stuttgart. Bayern may also opt to sell Miroslav Klose, who would have the approval of Spalletti.

In any case, for the moment Roma are calmly evaluating several different players in order to get someone who is a guaranteed reinforcement.

Danilo Pochini

Spalletti Sweats Over Aquilani Future

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The club have not managed to reach a deal with the talented midfielder leading to new questions being raised over his future as well as speculation linking him with moves to both Juventus and Inter.

Spalletti believes his player will stay despite the tension surrounding the contract extension plan.

“I have the same intentions with Alberto as I have with the other players, in fact even more considering his age” Spalletti told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“Alberto is an important player and he has told me that he wants to stay but then there is always the chance that certain people will come here and take him away as has happened with other players.”

Aquilani is still unsure on whether to put pen to paper and sign a new deal. It seems as if he is playing the waiting game in order to see who offers him the best wage packet.

Juve will be lying in wait and ready to pounce if Roma fail in their attempt to secure their player’s services for the future.

Salvatore Landolina

Arshavin Getting Ancy Over Move

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The Euro 2008 decided that the time has come for a new adventure while putting on a big show during the big show in Switzerland and Austria this summer, but now his club are determined to reap the maximum cash in on his new found fame.

“Zenit are asking for £23.8m, which is a lot," Arshavin was quoted as saying in the Daily Express.

"I have made my decision, and Zenit coach Dick Advocaat knows clearly that I want to go.

"I do not know if it will be to London, but my desire is well known.”

The 27-year-old had set his heart on a switch to boyhood heroes Barcelona, but so far the Catalan giants have come nowhere Zenit’s asking price.

London clubs Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea have also been credited with an interested, as well Serie A sides Roma and Fiorentina.

The player's agent has recently poured cold water on the prospect of him signing for an Italian club, however, even though the aforementioned Prmiership sides have so far been very reluctant to meet Zenit's valuation.

“Arshavin himself does not want to play in the Italian club, so the question of a transfer to Roma is not urgent,” Dennis Lachter informed Russian reporters.

“None of the English clubs are rushing to offer Andrei a contract.”

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Spalletti Attacks Fiorentina Over Mutu Saga

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The coach has been keen on bringing in some much needed fire power into his squad and Mutu was his primary objective.

However, Fiorentina went back on their decision to sell the Romanian to Roma after initially revealing that they were going to take any offers from the Giallorossi seriously with a view to selling their man.

Spalletti has now shared his views and he has stirred up the rivalry between his side and Fiorentina even further by blasting the Artemio Franchi club.

“We were told that the deal could go ahead and that certain conditions were accepted,” Spalletti told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

“The deal was on the verge of being brought to an end and it is not Roma's fault if Mutu didn't sign for us.

“We have now pulled out of any deal involving Mutu and we have to look for alternatives.

“I am not worried as there is still plenty of time to strengthen.”

The coach also spoke about the speculation behind Julio Baptista's possible move to the Olimpico and it seems as if Spalletti is not interested in the 'Beast'.

“We are looking for two players and we will get them,” said the coach.

“Baptista? I have never spoken about him before. He is strong but we are well covered in midfield.”

Roma will be hoping they can continue to impress next term and the Scudetto is likely to be the club's number one priority after playing second fiddle to Inter for the past two seasons.

Salvatore Landolina

There Was No Negotiation For Mutu - Della Valle

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Today Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle came back on the Adrian Mutu situation, and reiterated that the Romanian player forms an important part of the Viola project, ending rumours of a transfer to Roma.

"There was never any doubt, it was an eventful week," he said. "Mutu is staying in Florence. He understood the importance of the project, everything is over and there is no negotiation going on.

"The contract extension? [Pantaleo] Corvino will take care of that on Monday. His job as a sporting director is to evaluate the various offers. He has done a great job. There was no negotiation with Roma, we listened to the offer and then took a decision. All of this has only helped to sell more newspapers!

"Still, we are proud that Roma had this high opinion of the player. Mutu reiterated he wanted to stay here, he never asked me to leave, and he was never for sale. [Coach Cesare] Prandelli had an important role in this story. This year we have invested a lot of money and we've never had such a strong team."

Meanwhile, today the new Serie A calendars were presented and Fiorentina's first opponents will be their eternal bitter rivals Juventus.

Danilo Pochini

Roma To Hunt Klaas-Jan?

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With Mutu’s future likely to be at La Viola for the time being, Roma are set to look elsewhere for a much required front-man. The Giallorossi are determined to land a striker in this transfer window, with the side light on cover up front.

Juio Baptista of Real Madrid has caught the attentions of Spalletti and was rumoured to be on the verge of a transfer to the Stadio Olimpico. However, the Roma manager sees the Brazilian primarily as a midfielder, rather than a forward.

Instead, it could be Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who makes the move to the Serie A runners-up, with Spalletti coy on his transfer plans.

He admitted defeat in the battle for Mutu, but insisted that Roma still have other irons in the fire.

He told Tuttomercatoweb: “I think the Mutu negotiations are over. The club can’t be blamed if he doesn’t come but it does look like we will have to look elsewhere. But we will stay calm and consider things carefully. We are looking for two players because the squad isn’t complete as it is.

“I haven’t even spoken about Julio Baptista. He is a good player but we are fine in midfield. Huntelaar is a very good player but we will have to see and there will be no panic buys.”

Peter Staunton

Official: Cerci Joins Atalanta On Loan

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The highly-rated Cerci grew up in the Roma youth system, and last season impressed greatly at Serie B side Pisa, scoring 10 goals.

Having returned to Roma this summer, it was always inevitable that he would be sent out on loan this coming campaign, and an agreement has been found for him to join Atalanta.

The Nerazzurri will pay the Giallorossi €0.25m for the one year loan of the 21-year-old, and they will then have the option at the end of next season to enter into a co-ownership arrangement with Roma at a further cost of € 2.75m, which will be payable in three annual installments.

Cerci has represented Italy at Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level, and there are high hopes of him becoming a senior international in the future.