Roma manager Jose Mourinho has placed Pedro and Robin Olsen on the transfer list as Premier League giants Everton and West Ham United consider moves for the Serie A duo, as reported by Il Romanista.
Never one to shy away from difficult decisions, the former Tottenham boss is certainly making his presence felt at the Stadio Olimpico.
Mourinho is determined to sear the fat from a flabby squad before the new Serie A season kicks off with a whole host of experienced, high-earning players up for sale, including Steven Nzonzi, Javier Pastore and Federico Fazio, not to mention Pedro and Olsen.
Il Romanista believe that the aforementioned quintet will all be left out of Roma’s pre-season plans too, training separately from the first-team squad as they look for employment elsewhere.
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Mourinho’s stance with Pedro may come as a bit of a surprise, given that the former Spain international impressed his manager during their time together at Stamford Bridge.
“We have got one of the best attacking players in the world, a player with lots of experience,” Mourinho told the Guardian back in 2015 after Chelsea completed a £21 million deal for the Barcelona legend.
“He’s won everything playing with (Lionel) Messi, (Andres) Iniesta, all these stars. But he wants more, and I’m really happy with that kind of attitude.”
Calciomercato reported in June that Everton were willing to offer 33-year-old Pedro a fresh start in the Premier League, although things may have changed since Carlo Ancelotti’s departure and the subsequent arrival of Rafa Benitez.
Pedro produced six goals and seven assists for Roma last season – there is life in the old dog yet – and would certainly add some much-needed cutting edge and creativity to an often toothless Toffees attack.
Il Romanista reports that Olsen – the £5 million-rated goalkeeper – will be sold too.
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