Jose Mourinho’s Roma hzve expressed an interest in Everton’s Premier League forgotten man Jean-Philippe Gbamin, the Ivory Coast international’s agent tells CSKA News.
Considering that Gbamin has been restricted to just two league starts in nearly three years as an Everton player, you’d have been forgiven for scoffing at claims suggesting that Roma wanted the £25 million former Mainz enforcer at the Stadio Olimpico.
But it seems there is, at least, a shred of truth to the rumours.
According to Corriere dello Sport, a Roma side who missed out on Granit Xhaka last summer remain determined to add a dynamic central midfielder to their ranks.
Gbamin, despite an injury-ruined couple of seasons at Goodison Park, is one of the names on the Giallorossi radar, along with Marseille contract-rebel Boubacar Kamara.
Gbamin joined CSKA Moscow on loan recently. He’s played the full 90 minutes in each of their last two Russian Premier League games.
Is Jean-Philippe Gbamin heading to Roma?
“Firstly, Gbamin will definitely stay with CSKA,” says the 26-year-old’s agent Bernard Collignon, ruling out an imminent return to Goodison despite the ongoing geo-political situation in Russia and Ukraine.
“Secondly, Roma contacted me back in December. But now, there are no conversations with representatives of the Italian team.”
It remains to be seen whether Roma come calling again. The summer window is now just a couple of weeks away after all. It is equally uncertain whether Everton would be willing to do business with the Italian giants.
Gbamin, when fit and firing, is certainly a welcome addition to Frank Lampard’s squad. His blend of tenacity and technique – Gbamin is both a ball-winner and a ball-carrier – potentially makes the one-time Bundesliga enforcer the perfect foil for Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan in an undermanned midfield.
“I’m in good shape now, although I haven’t played for a long time,” Gbamin said a few weeks ago. “I’ve been training. I hope that I will show the fans everything that I can do.”
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