Roma CEO Tiago Pinto has flown to London to convince Tammy Abraham to join them. The English striker is their top choice to replace Edin Dzeko. The Giallorossi already have an agreement in place with Chelsea. However, they are facing fierce competition from Arsenal, which have yet to come to terms with the Blues.
According to Il Messaggero, Roma have orchestrated a €45M deal for the 23-year-old forward. Chelsea will likely have a buyback clause in their favor. The player would prefer staying in London and is a fan of Arsenal. But the intense courting of the Giallorossi and José Mourinho’s phone call is starting to have an effect.
Roma will wait for a couple of days to see if their strategy is successful. Abraham has tallied 30 goals and 12 assists in 82 matches with the Pensioners. His playing time became spotty once Thomas Tuchel took over and tilted the scheme. Moreover, Romelu Lukaku will soon be announced as their new star no.9.
The Giallorossi have some alternatives if they could not get the Englishman. Zenit’s Sardar Azmoun remains a viable option, as he was on their radar before buying Eldor Shomurodov, La Repubblica reports. Instead, despite the rumors, Roma are not after Alexandre Lacazette, Gianluca Di Marzio informs. Arsenal would likely sell him if they signed Abraham.
La Lupa has also shortlisted Hertha Berlin’s Matheus Cunha, who just won the gold medal in Tokyo, and Rodrigo Muniz, the transfer market adds. However, the Flamengo forward is in advanced talks with Middlesbrough.