Roma Turn Towards Cisse

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After failing in their attempt to sign Adrian Mutu, and with Julio Baptista also declaring his intention to stay at Real Madrid, French striker Djibril Cisse is the latest striker to appear on the transfer radar of Roma.

The Giallorossi’s desperate search for a top quality centre forward has now reached crisis point, with just over a month left until the end of the summer transfer window.

The club’s primary target had been Adrian Mutu, and the Romanian had appeared certain to join Roma when Fiorentina announced that they were considering an offer for the player.

However, the Viola then produced a sensational u-turn less the 24 hours later, rejecting Roma’s bid and declaring Mutu not for sale. This left the capital outfit in limbo, and they are still desperate to sign a top class attacker, having sold Amantino Mancini to Inter.

Real Madrid’s Julio Baptista had appeared to be a viable alternative, but yesterday ‘The Beast’ shut the door on a possible transfer by declaring his wish to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Roma have also been linked with Ajax’s Klaas Jan-Huntelaar, but according to latest reports in Italy, Coach Luciano Spalletti is readying a raid for Marseille striker Djibril Cisse.

The 26-year-old has had a nightmare with injuries over the past few years, but last season he appeared to be getting back to some of his old levels, scoring 15 goals for his club, and even coming close to a call-up to Euro 2008.

Spalletti is said to be keen on Cisse due to his explosive pace, which would work well with Roma’s pass-and-move style of play.

goal.com