Hendri Giallorossi

Il Corriere dello Sport reported that Roma have reached an agreement with Olympiakos for the Greek defender on the basis of €13 million and a five-year deal.

On the other sources that widespread reports in Italy, Roma also have agreed a deal to sell Benatia to Bayern for a package deal of around €30m.


Gazzetta dello sport claimed The Maroccoan international will fly to Germany and seal his transfer within next 48 hours.

However, even IF Benatia leaves, Roma now already have The Greek defender Kostas Manolas as the replacement.

Manolas impressed during the World Cup in Brazil for the Greece.

Both teams have an impacted player on Wayne Rooney (England) & Mario Balotelli (Italia).

• England: Wayne Rooney. This iconic Manchester United forward scored seven goals in his six starts for England during qualifying. He’s a talisman. But Rooney still has to prove he can excel on the World Cup stage come tournament time.
• Italy: Mario Balotelli. Mercurial and brilliant, Balotelli can daze, confuse and amuse with his moods and moves. At his best, he’s among the best. The trick for the Italians is to keep him focused.
 

The oppressive heat and humidity of host city Manaus will be brutal. Several English players rode the stationary bikes in saunas to prepare themselves. Fitness and endurance will be put to the test.
England Manager Roy Hodgson puts a lot of stock into Rooney. And it’s paying off. Rooney scored a goal from the left-wing —not his normal position — in a pre-tournament game against Ecuador in very warm weather.

Italy often starts off slowly in big tournaments. But that would be costly in Brazil. The Italians need to hit the pitch against England with a laser focus on scoring goals, while staying strong in defence and in goal.

Source: CBC.CA

The Rome investments and decides to do so by purchasing the talented midfielder Salih Uçan, currently owned by Fenerbahce. As reported by Sport Mediaset, the deal would be a step away from the turning point: the cost of the operation is estimated at 10 million Euros.

Who want the player at all costs was the directeur sportif Walter Sabatini, who hardly missed a shot in the entry when it comes to emerging talents. The Giallorossi's sporting director was in fact an amazing skill in spotting talent and always manages to get the important gains. For this reason, the leadership of its director Capitoline trusts and will not put obstacles in the operation.

Attacking Midfield Class '94, Uçan Salih is one of the emerging talents of turkish football. Skilled ball at his feet and in entries without the ball. Should be to fill the role of Strootman, currently injured, then play for a jersey holder just with the Dutch.

Raised in Bucaspor, turkish midfielder moved to Fenerbahce in July 2012 where he was able to devote himself and play regularly, up to secure the interest of several teams in Europe. The Roma, however, seems to have anticipated the competition and according to a report in Sport Mediaset, the deal would be at an advanced stage: lacking only a few details.

Source: ftbpro.com  

Toni and Totti's name is not listed in the provisional squad list announced by Prandelli's Italy in early April. Eventhough the performance of both the veteran players are quite good in this season 2013/14. 


Totti became one of the actors behind the heroics AS Roma's performance, while Toni became a candidate as top scorer in Serie A. Currently Toni has collected 19 goals so far.

However, when the door is closed tightly as the national team, Prandelli issued a statement that could make Totti and Toni can be little hope. 
  
"Totti and Toni? They are two champions and I will not stop their expectations. Lets just say that in an emergency, I know who I would call," said Prandelli, giving cues.


Source: bolanews.com  

So, This is the latest Serie-A table until Giornata #35.


Juventus is still at the top with 3 matches left. Roma still pursuing at the 2nd place even it's rather to be mission impossible? But who knows, There always "a miracle" in every moment. The season is not finished yet, All Giallorossi fans are hoping a defeat for Juventus in the next giornata. So that, It'll giving extra motivation for Roma to beat Juve afterward. Then the scudetto remain possible for the capital side. 

Roma centre-back Mehdi Benatia has revealed that he rejected the chance to join Chelsea during Jose Mourinho’s first stint in charge of the club after living with both Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele, according to the Metro.

The 27-year-old is now a strong target for Manchester United, but spent a short time on trial with Chelsea during Mourinho’s first spell in charge at the club.

And he claims that living with star duo Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele put him off making a permanent move to west Lonodn, not because they were difficult housemates, but because they made him homesick.

“I did a test of three or four days in London. I lived with Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele,” the Moroccan said.

“They were a great team but I did not feel ready to go. I was offered a three-year contract but I was fine at Marseille and the idea of moving abroad scared me.”

Benatia eventually did move abroad in 2010 when he joined Italian side Udinese, where he impressed for three seasons before making the move to Roma last summer.

He has since become one of Europe’s hottest properties thanks to his strong performances at the back to the capital club, and is now one of Manchester United’s top transfer targets as the transfer window approaches.

Source: caughtoffside.com

Valmir Berisha has agreed to join AS Roma, rejecting the chance to join a host of Premier League clubs. Reports the Daily Express

After coming to prominence in the under-17 World Cup in the summer - finishing as the competition's top scorer - a number of Premier League clubs made contact about his availability.

The player's agent took the chance to confirm that Liverpool, Tottenham and Sunderland had all been in contact with regards to signing his client while Manchester United and Arsenal went as far as to offer the player a trial.

However, obviously well aware of his ability, Berisha turned down the chance to link up with David Moyes and Arsene Wenger and has now signed a deal that will see him join up with Serie A outfit Roma.

It's the second time the Rome club has beaten Arsenal to a top striker prospect this season. The Gunners were reportedly interested in sealing a deal for Barcelona starlet Toni Sanabria, only to see the Peruvian move to Italy instead.

It could also turn out to be a massive blow for Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham, especially if Berisha lives up to his nickname - 'The next Zlatan Ibrahimovic'.

Source: givemesport.com

Brazilian winger Michel Bastos has already touched down in Italy ahead of signing for AS Roma.

The medical is scheduled by today.

"Forza Roma! I am very happy to be here," he told to the media at Rome airport, Flumicino.

Bastos will sign on-loan for six months and Roma will have an option to make permanent move at the end of the season for €3.5m.


The 30 year-old winger, who is equally at ease playing left wing-back, would again link up with coach Rudi Garcia, a man with whom he worked at one of his previous clubs, Lille. 

Former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello has claimed that Los Merengues “are favourites to win La Liga and the Champions League this year,” in an interview with Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

The Italian said Real “have an extraordinary squad.” “They haven’t adapted to Ancelotti’s style yet, but there’s a lot of room for future growth. Players need to support each other, pass the ball more,… That’s something they will do soon because they have fantastic footballers,” he added.

“Madrid now have a different game style. We have to give Ancelotti more time to improve. The team needs to play even faster and with a more direct game, passing the ball more, but not like the long-posesion style Barcelona have,” Capello stated.

Current Russia national team manager confessed he is “happy to see three teams fighting for the league title this season; Atletico Madrid have improve a lot and now it’s not only about Barcelona and Real Madrid.”

Capello coached Los Blancos in two different periods, the first one in the 1996-97 season, and the second one a decade later, in 2006-07. He won La Liga both times, but his defensive style of play didn’t convince the Santiago Bernabeu fans, and he ended up leaving the club.

Source: Alejandro Gonzalez 

Roma will be looking to bounce back from the first league defeat of the season when they host Genoa in Serie A on Sunday.

The Giallorossi's 18-game unbeaten league run was brought to an end last weekend as they suffered a 3-0 defeat againts leaders Juventus, that widened the gap between the clubs to eight points.

They responded to that defeat by beating Sampdoria 1-0 in the Coppa Italia on Thursday evening, to progress to the quarter-finals.

Roma will be aware that they are just two points cealr of third-placed Napoli, as they aim to book a spot in next season's Champions League.


Genoa ended a run of five games without a win when they beat Sassuolo last weekend, to move up to ninth in the table.

They have struggled away from home this season, losing five of their fixtures away from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Daniele De Rossi and Leandro Castan are both suspended for Roma following their straight red cards againts Juventus. Adem Ljajic is doubtful, but Radja Nainggolan could start for the club after making his debut in midweek.

While Albertion Gilardino is suspended for Genoa, so Emanuele Calaio is expected to start in his place up front.

Source: Sports mole

Roma have made their first foray into the winter transfer market by snapping up Boca juniors youngster Leandro Paredes on loan.

Reports that the Argentinian is already arrived at Flumcino airport today.

The 19 year old midfielder is currently sidelined with injury and will not feature for Roma, who anyway are up to their quote of non-EU players.


According to sportmediaset, Roma will be paying Boca juniors €250.000 for the loan deal with the full purchase to cost €4.5m. 

“I hope it will be useful for my career, [fellow Argentine Nicolas] Burdisso will give me a hand,” said Paredes, speaking to Radio La Red.

“I don’t leave happy because Boca gave me everything and I would have liked to repay them.

“I wouldn’t have left, but changing could do me well and help me find my best form.”


 

Reports that Cagliari midfield Radja Nainggolan is really close to becoming a Roma player after the two clubs reached an agreement over a transfer on Monday night.

Despite rumours linking him with a move to Napoli, AC Milan and Inter during the January transfer window, the Isolani player now appears set to join the Giallorossi.

Spy Sport reports that the 25-year-old will be in Rome on Tuesday to take a physical before signing a contract with the capital club.

Initial reports suggest Roma will pay €3 million to take the player on loan with a further €6.5 million paid for 50% of the players playing rights. The Belgian’s contract will run until 2018 with his new club.

The defensive midfielder has been a regular in the starting line up for Cagliari this season making 17 starts while scoring two goals.

Source: Forzaitalianfootball

I want to start this ultra-important game preview off with a little bit of audience participation.

Chelsea have had a pounds 50 million bid for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain rejected as Jose Mourinho tries to add some much-needed firepower to his attack.

Napoli have not given any encouragement to Chelsea in their efforts to land Higuain and insist the Argentine, who played under Mourinho at Real Madrid, is not for sale. Higuain has scored nine goals in 16 Serie A games since moving from Spain to Italy in the summer.

That may not deter Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who agrees the lack of goals from strikers is the major weakness in the side. He is willing to back Mourinho in the transfer market, even though the club posted losses of almost pounds 50 million last season.

With German club Wolfsburg keen to sign Kevin De Bruyne, Chelsea hope to receive as much as pounds 25 million for the Belgium international who has rarely played this season. That will help Chelsea finance the move for a forward, with other sales likely this month to help balance the books.
Juan Mata has been told by Mourinho that he still has a future at the club but cannot be guaranteed a starting position. A bid of more than pounds 20 million would be a tempting offer for Chelsea to part with him, particularly as Mata knows he needs to be playing regularly to keep his place in the Spain side.

Should Chelsea sign a centre-forward this January, Demba Ba has been told he will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge. Ba thought he was going to Arsenal on loan in the summer, but Chelsea cancelled the proposed transfer on deadline day when Arsene Wenger landed Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid as they feared the threat of a resurgent London rival. Ba is extremely frustrated about a lack of first-team opportunities and is likely to attract interest from former club Newcastle United, as well as West Ham and Fulham, should Chelsea give the green light to his departure.

The Senegal striker moved to Stamford Bridge only 12 months ago, but he has struggled to persuade Mourinho he is good enough to play regularly for a team looking to mount a title challenge.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed prolific spells at West Ham and Newcastle since arriving in English football in January 2011 and Chelsea would hope to at least recoup the pounds 7.5 million they paid for him a year ago to activate a release clause in his contract at St James' Park.

Ba has scored just three times in 23 league appearances for Chelsea and is at the stage of his career where he does not merely want to sit on the bench, particularly as he was first choice at West Ham and Newcastle.

Chelsea would be reluctant to let Ba move to a team challenging them for the title, although Arsenal retain an interest in him and are likely to bid if it becomes clear the player is allowed to move this month.

Source: newindianexpress.com

Reports that Mario Balotelli wants to leave Milan in the January transfer window have now been denied by the club. 

Some newspaper reports on Monday morning claimed that President Silvio Berlusconi had ordered Adriano Galliani to accept any offer of €25m  or more for the fully controversial striker. 

And rumours of an imminent exit were fuelled by a report in The National, which quoted the player's agent, Mino Raiola, as saying: "Mario wants to leave Milan in January." 

"I don't know where he will go, but we will look at different options. Chelsea is one of the option, but there have been no real offers yet and I can not say anything."

But the club sources say the quotes from Raiola have been made up and Milan have no intention of letting the former Manchester City ace leave the club. 


Source: eatsleepsport.com

English ref Howard Webb is wanted in Italy to take charge of The Juventus versus AS Roma clash.

Il Tempo says the Italian Federation must guarantee fair treatment by bringing in a foreign referee for this game.

Their preferred option would be 42-year old Englishman Webb, who recently officiated  Juventus - Real Madrid in The Champions League.

Valero also admitted, though, that there were a couple of other contributing factors in his decision to move to the Artemio Franchi, including coach Vincenzo Montella.

"The city of Florence is perfect for my family. When I chose Fiorentina, I thought also of this," the 28-year-old explained.

"Florence is a perfect place for me. When I was about to sign with the Viola, some of my friends told me that I wouldn't be happy, but now I am very content with the choice I made.

"With Montella, who always wants me to be on the ball, I have also been very happy."

Indeed, Valero is now hoping to help Fiorentina realise their twin goals for the 2013-14 season.

"We are motivated to achieve the goal of qualifying for the Champions League, but we also want to give a lot of attention to the Europa League," he stated.

"Certainly, our directors have improved the team in the right way and [striker Mario] Gomez we will definitely give us greater strength when he returns [from injury]."

Fiorentina are currently fourth in Serie A, just three points behind third-placed Napoli.

Source: Goal.com