Gianluca Mancini is “untouchable” at Roma as the Italian giants attempt to agree a new contract with the £20 million Everton target, as reported by Gianluca di Marzio.
With the sun setting on Edin Dzeko’s goal-laden spell at the Stadio Olimpico, that oh-so coveted armband will soon be up for grabs.
And, alongside Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini, a rock-solid centre-half is one of the primary candidates to take over the coveted role of Roma’s next capitano.
Mancini donned the armband in a recent Europa League clash with Braga.
And, amid interest from the Premier League, the Giallorossi have chosen the ideal time to kick-start contract talks with a man lined up to follow in the footsteps of legendary skippers Daniele de Rossi and Francesco Totti at the Stadio Olimpico.
Di Marzio reports Mancini is viewed as “untouchable” or, if you like, unsellable.
The Italy international still has three years left on his contract but this hasn’t stopped Tiago Pinto, Roma’s new sporting director, opening discussions over an extension – one that would see Mancini handed a substantial pay rise on his £33,000-a-week deal.
Just two weeks ago, Calciomercato reported a ‘who’s who’ of European giants, including Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus, had set their sights on Mancini.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton, meanwhile, would have few qualms about paying the near £35 million fee Roma would demand for their star central defender.
But while it seems unlikely Mancini will ‘do a Totti’ and remain a pillar of the Roman Empire for the rest of his career, the talented defender appears to be in it for the long haul.
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