[dukeofdavinci]

Lucarelli likes Roma option Wednesday 19 December, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roma could be a January destination for Cristiano Lucarelli after Torino denied any interest in the Shakhtar Donetsk player.

The Italian international is expected to quit the Ukrainian giants in the New Year following their Champions League exit and a host of Italian clubs have been associated with his services.

Roma are the latest outfit to be linked and agent Carlo Pallavicino has insisted that his client would be interested in a capital switch.

“Lucarelli wouldn’t have any problem in joining Roma, especially as Shakhtar are prepared to hand him over on a loan basis,” Pallavicino noted.

“I also don’t think that his salary would be a problem either and this could be the right time for the club and himself.

“Although there has been no contact with Roma so far, the Giallorossi would be a great opportunity for Lucarelli.”

Roma, who have been struggling for goals without the injured Francesco Totti recently, wouldn’t be ale to play him in Europe though.

Meanwhile, Torino have distanced themselves from reports that Lucarelli could join the Granata for the second time in his career.

“It’s not true that we are close to signing him,” said Toro patron Urbano Cairo. “The stories are pure journalistic inventions.

“Cristiano did very well during his time at Livorno, but there is nothing at this stage which are linking us.

“We have players in our squad such as David Di Michele who needs time to reach the peak of his condition.

“Before signing players of quality like Lucarelli, we need to wait and see what our players are capable of when fully fit.”

Lucarelli, who left Livorno in the summer, has also been associated with struggling Genoa and wants to be a part of Italy’s Euro 2008 campaign.

hmm not sure about another mid aged player in the team.