Despite Juventus’ record-breaking Scudetto win, Roma’s excellent season has not gone unnoticed. The Giallorossi finished second in Serie A and a few of their players are now attracting attention from some major European clubs. Two names in particular, according to newspaper Il Tempo, are being followed by the likes of the two Manchester giants. They are defender Mehdi Benatia and midfielder Kevin Strootman.
The Premier League champions are looking for a more reliable defender than Martin Demichelis to play alongside Vincent Kompany. They’ve reportedly offered Roma a sum of €30m. for Benatia. However, the player’s position is clear: he prefers to stay and perhaps receive a raise in his salary, and will only leave if the club asks him to.
Meanwhile, Roma are trying to figure out who they could replace Benatia with, without having to invest all the money that will come in from an eventual transfer. The same problem would occur with Strootman, who has been declared unsellable despite the fact that Manchester United have allegedly offered €40m. for the player.
Giallorossi coach Rudi Garcia has been reassured that the team will be reinforced, even if a big sale will have to be made. The Frenchman has already started to talk with the club’s president and his agent about a contract extension to 2017.
Elsewhere, full back Maicon has received a phone call from London from his former coach Jose Mourinho, who would like to work with him again at Chelsea. To be continued after the World Cup, which is a first priority in the Brazilian’s mind.
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