Everton have not been put off by the fee required to sign Roma defender Gianluca Mancini although Carlo Ancelotti’s side will face competition from Chelsea, Juventus and Bayern Munich, as reported by Calciomercato.
After Edin Dzeko was stripped of the armband following a bitter row with Roma coach Paulo Fonseca, it remains to be seen who will take over the captaincy at one of Europe’s most historic footballing institutions.
Will Mancini be the new King of the Colosseum?
Alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante, the commanding central defender certainly appears to be one of the prime candidates, donning the armband during the second half of February’s Europa League victory over Braga.
Clearly, Roma are planning for life with the potential ‘Capitano Futuro’ despite interest in Mancini’s services from all across the continent.
Calciomercato report that Chelsea have identified the Italy international as a potential replacement for the veteran Thiago Silva, while Bayern Munich and Juventus are also big fans.
Everton, meanwhile, have not been put off by the huge fee Roma will undoubtedly demand for a defender they paid £20 million for just last year.
A clause in Mancini’s contract means the Giallorossi would have to hand 10 per cent of his transfer fee over to former club Atalanta.
CM adds that Roma could open talks over a new contract with their £30,000-a-week powerhouse at the end of the season.
But a lot may depend on whether Fonseca’s side secure qualification for the Champions League; a competition Bayern, Juventus and possibly even Everton will be playing in next term.
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