Italy

Roma Close In On Malouda

Roma have edged closer to signing Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, according to the Corriere dello Sport.

Jul 22, 2008 5:55:03 AM

Florent Malouda (France)

Malouda has only been at Chelsea for 12 months, having signed for them last summer from Lyon for €20m.

However, he failed to live up to his price tag in his first season at Stamford Bridge, and it is believed that he does not figure in new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari’s plans for the new campaign.

Roma are on the lookout for a new left sided offensive player following the sale of Amantino Mancini to Inter, and it was reported at the weekend that they were eyeing up Malouda as a replacement.

The Corriere today claims that Roma yesterday sounded out Chelsea about the possibility of signing the Frenchman, and the response they received was positive. Malouda is said to be desperate to quit Stamford Bridge, and would jump at the chance at moving to the Italian capital.

Roma would prefer to sign Malouda on an initial loan deal, so that they could then spend their available transfer funds on a centre forward such as Julio Baptista.

However, if this is not possible then they are ready to pay between 13 and 15 million euros for the 28-year-old World Cup finalist.

Alessio Alexis

Italy

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