Roma could finalise a deal to sign Andrea Belotti within the next 48 hours, despite Premier League trio Everton, Newcastle and West Ham United being offered the free agent striker.
Roma could sign Andrea Belotti in next 48hrs after being offered to Prem trio
According to Calciomercato, Roma are entering a decisive phase of their negotiations with Andrea Belotti over a move for the former Torino captain. The Giallorossi are ready to find an agreement with the Italy international to join Jose Mourinho’s squad in a Bosman transfer.
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Belotti left Torino after seven years back in June, after allowing his contract with Il Toro to expire. He made 251 appearances during his time at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino for 113 goals and 28 assists, and took over the captaincy in March 2017 right to his departure.
A chance to now explore a new adventure in Rome thrills Belotti, who Mourinho views as a prime target. Sporting director Tiago Pinto is now advancing negotiations with the 28-year-old’s agent in the hope that they can agree to the terms for his arrival in the next 48 hours.
Belotti is giving Roma every chance to secure his free transfer, as the Stadio Olimpico is the 44-cap attacker’s priority destination. Alfredo Pedulla adds his desire for the Italian capital side has seen the forward turn down a €4.5m-a-year (£73k-a/w) contract with Galatasaray.
Cimbom tabled their proposal this Wednesday, with the inclusion of a signing-on bonus, to try and overcome the Giallorossi. New Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk identified the forward to bolster his first attack at the Nef Stadium, after Gala finished 13th in Super Lig last term.
Everton, Newcastle, West Ham were offered chance to sign Italy ace
Everton, Newcastle and West Ham United were offered the chance to sign Belotti after he left Torino in June. The Sun reported during July that the Italian’s representative contacted the Premier League trio to see if Frank Lampard, Eddie Howe and David Moyes were keen.
Belotti was interested in trying his skill in England, after a career so far spent exclusively in Italy. But West Ham turned to an alternative Italian to join Michail Antonio in leading their attack. Moyes paid Sassuolo £30.5m to sign Gianluca Scamacca on a five-year contract.
Lampard and Howe are yet to bolster their attacks, with the Toffees in desperate need of a forward. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has missed the start to the season with a knee injury, with Anthony Gordon instead spearheading the Goodison Park line – ahead of Salomon Rondon.
Belotti – who his former Torino coach David Nicola lauded as ‘unique’ – could have offered Everton a suitable striker. But Roma are instead likely to sign Belotti, and may even secure his move as Mourinho’s new marksman within the next 48 hours if talks progress healthily.
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