Roma director Walter Sabatini is in England for talks with Everton’s Johnny Heitinga and Etienne Capoue of Tottenham.
Roma director Walter Sabatini is in England for talks with Everton’s Johnny Heitinga and Etienne Capoue of Tottenham.
According to calciomercato.it, director of sport Sabatini flew into England over the weekend in order to negotiate ahead of the January transfer window. His primary targets are Heitinga and Capoue.
Dutch defender Heitinga wants more playing time in order to be sure of his spot at the 2014 World Cup, so is eager to leave Everton mid-season.
The 30-year-old’s Italian agent was instrumental in the deal that brought Kevin Strootman to Roma, so there are high hopes for this move.
Sabatini is also due to meet his former Roma colleague Franco Baldini, who is now the director at Tottenham.
The Giallorossi are offering to sign 25-year-old defensive midfielder Capoue on loan in order to help him rediscover his form.
He only joined Spurs from Toulouse in August and can also be used as a defender, but has struggled for playing time.
Both these players are considered to be ‘safety’ options if Roma cannot sign their top choices Marco Parolo of Parma and Cagliari’s Radja Nainggolan.
While in England, Sabatini is also expected to hold talks with Cardiff City, Fulham and Southampton over USA international midfielder Michael Bradley.
Centre-forward Marco Borriello has requests from the Premier League too with Everton, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham United interested in his services.