Adriano To Roma? No Chance - Agent

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The Brazilian hit-man is rumoured to be one of the strikers facing Mourinho’s axe as the ‘Special One’ continues the shake up at San Siro.

Reports in Italy linked L’Imperatore with a move to Roma as the Giallorossi are desperate to sign a quality striker ahead of the new season.

However, the player’s agent has dashed any hopes Roma had of signing him as he admits Adriano will not be moving south of Milan.

“Roma? The chances of Adriano leaving Inter for Roma are equivalent to zero,” Rinaldi told Gloesporte.com

“Adriano is doing very well and he is happy to stay in Milan.”

The agent’s words will no doubt lead to new questions being raised over Adriano’s future.

Meanwhile, Roma will need to ensure they sign a decent hit-man before the new season begins if they are to challenge for trophies.
The Giallorossi have been linked with a number of player's including Julio Baptista, Ibrahim Afellay, Jan Klass Huntelaar, David Suazo and Hernan Crespo but, so far, they have failed to land any one of them.

Salvatore Landolina

No Rush To Sign Players - Spalletti

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The club have not really set the world alight with regards to new arrivals and they are in need of a striker.

Spalletti believes that by doing things slowly but surely, he will have more chance of success in landing top players.

So far, Roma have found it harder than usual to bring in the reinforcements but the coach doesn't seem bothered.

“We are at a halt while the others are racing away,” Spalletti told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

“Patience is needed when dealing with the transfer market. We are in no rush and we know what to do.

“We must not make any rash decisions and buy players just for the sake of it.

“We are waiting for the right moment as we have already seen that working in the right ways pays good dividends.”

The Giallorossi are currently in need of a striker and they have been linked with Real Madrid’s Julio Baptista.

However, the Olimpico-based club will be looking at alternatives as the ‘Beast’ is not willing to join I Lupi.

Salvatore Landolina

Roma Set To Sell Aquilani?

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Aquilani’s future at Roma has been looking increasingly uncertain in recent weeks due to problems over the renewal of his contract.

The 24-year-old’s current deal runs out in 2010 and the player has been asking for around €2.5m in wages per year in order to sign an extension.

However, so far, Roma have only offered €1.6m, and negotiations have now, according to Tuttopsort, hit a brick wall. The relationship between player and club is souring by the minute and, such is the frustration over the current situation, that no new contract talks have been arranged.

As a result, Roma are now considering selling the player this summer in order to maximise the amount of money they could receive as a transfer fee. The midfielder is not short of options as both Juventus and Inter are very keen, and the player has recently thanked both clubs for their interest in him.

A few days ago Roma coach Luciano Spalletti admitted his fear that he may lose Aquilani.

“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,” said the former Udinese tactician.

Alessio Alexis

Okaka To Stay At Roma, Baptista To Join?

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The Giallorossi have been desperately searching for an attacker all summer, following the sale of Amantino Mancini to Inter.

Roma’s primary target had been Adrian Mutu, and the 29-year-old had appeared certain to join until Fiorentina pulled the plug on the deal at the last moment.

The capital outfit have also been linked with a number of attackers including Real Madrid’s Julio Baptista. Earlier in the week ‘The Beast’ claimed that he wanted to stay at Madrid and fight for his place, however reports suggest that he could join Roma on-loan, if the Spanish champions complete the capture of Hamburg star Rafael van der Vaart.

Meanwhile, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is reported, by Il Messagero, to have vetoed the release of young teenage striker Stefano Chuka Okaka.

The 18-year-old had agreed to spend the 2008/09 campaign on loan at newly promoted Bologna, but Spalletti is refusing to let him go until a replacement attacker is found.

This replacement could be Baptista, although La Repubblica is also claiming this morning that Roma are eyeing up Manchester City’s attacking playmaker Elano Blumer.

Alessio Alexis

Elano Set For Roma Switch?

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The Giallorossi have been after an attacking player all summer to partner Mirko Vucinic up front. However, they have so far failed in their attempts to land a decent hit-man.

Julio Baptista was touted as a possible arrival but he has recently stated that he was not willing to join the Serie A club. Adrian Mutu was also in line for a Roman switch before that move was scuppered.

La Repubblica claims that Luciano Spalletti’s alternative is the Manchester City player, who enjoyed an impressive season at Eastlands last term and has raised eyebrows around Europe.

However, a number of indiscretions emanating from the capital seem to suggest that the Giallorossi are not too keen on the Brazilian, as they would prefer an out-and-out striker rather than an attacking playmaker.

Roma have also been linked with Ibrahim Afellay, but it remains to be seen who will arrive as the transfer clock ticks on for Spalletti.

Salvatore Landolina

Scolari To Grant: You Wasted Malouda

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The ex Lyon standout failed to come anywhere close to justifying the €20m Chelsea paid to bring him to Stamford Bridge last summer, but Scolari his suggested that his predecessor Avram Grant has to accept at least some responsibility for that.

"I want to know if he stays with us, what is his best position," said Scolari over the player that Roma have proven so keen to attract.

"Last season he played in a different position than he did at Lyon. I want him to play on the wing like he did in Lyon. He was wasted last season."

"I have the players for exciting football and I have the players for us to be champions," Big Phil added after the 2-0 win against a Malaysian Select XI last night

"Deco has his style and that style improves other players, so he can make everyone better, but there were chances for [Andriy] Shevchenko and Malouda tonight.

"Now it's a time for me to test the players. I'm seeing if we should play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, or which position is best for each player, or whether some players would do better in some games or others," he added.

"These are practice games but the players are trying their best for Chelsea and also for themselves. After that I'll decide."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com