[#19] Baptista: Official - Baptista signs for Roma

[D-Kin]

Giallorossi's £9.5m bid for Baptista Saturday 28 June, 2008

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

Roma have made Real Madrid a £9.5m offer for Brazilian star Julio Baptista, claim the Spanish media.

This is not the first time the club has been linked with ‘The Beast’ and according to today’s edition of newspaper Marca, the negotiations are progressing.

The Giallorossi have put forward a bid of £9.5m, although it is still slightly below Real’s £11.8m asking price.

“I am on holiday in Brazil and so don’t know anything about current negotiations,” Baptista told Marca.

“My main plan is to stay at Real, but you can never tell what the future holds and Roma are a great club.”

He had the opportunity to see Luciano Spalletti’s side close up last season when Roma knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League.

The 26-year-old has been in La Liga since joining Sevilla in 2003 and moved to Real Madrid in 2005, albeit with a 2006-07 loan spell at Arsenal.

Baptista has a Spanish passport, so he can be bought as an EU player.

channel4.com - Football Italia

I've never been convinced by Baptista to be honest but he does have certain qualities that can be useful, especially to Roma. If he's played as a striker he'll cause problems and get goals.

[Forza_Roma]

This will be a good pickup for Roma, if it happens. Versatile player, appeals to a coach like Spalletti.

Huntelaar should be a priority...sell the shirt off your back if you have too!!!

[D-Kin]

Huntelaar would cost more but he'd score more, and he's younger.

You say Baptista is versatile etc but I do wonder whether he's good enough at times. Like I said I'm still not entirely convinced by him, I'd like to hear more opinions...

[Forza_Roma]

Baptista isn't in the same league as other top players...but, this is Roma. We're used to marginal players...Baptista is a gem in our eyes. And Spalletti would get the most out of him...he will get the full potential out of him.

Huntelaar would cost a minimum of 20m...he's a dream signing for Roma. More realistic signing would be Gomez.

[Pat Murphy]

You'd need to give Baptista a lot of minutes and freedom, something he didn't really get at Arsenal or Real Madrid. At Sevilla he started as a DM but then was put behind the striker in a 2-1 trident and got 38 Liga goals in 2 seasons.

Only about 25 starts in the last 2 seasons but I think he can still return to a good level like he was at Sevilla providing he gets the minutes.

[LaVecchiaSignora]

we need someone who can score more frequently

[Trim]

Originally Posted by LaVecchiaSignora

we need someone who can score more frequently

Hmmm.. then Baptista is not a good option.

[Forza_Roma]

Rather see either Mutu, Huntelaar or Gomez as my wish players.....then Baptista down the pecking order.

[D-Kin]

It's all gone quiet in regards to Iaquinta as well...

[Forza_Roma]

There's an article on CH4 involving a link with Iaquinta to Napoli.

I don't think Iaquinta will suit Roma next season. Ideally, the past 2 seasons he would of fit in well, but if the possibly formation change comes into affect...then it probably won't suit his style.

[sinoy1]

Baptista is an improvement to Perrotta though.Imagine the beast in the Perrotta role...He'd bury all those chances.

we've made a bit for Danny Guiza.Good player imo.A bit soft when it comes to physicality to serie A but solid non the less.He would get 15-20 goals imo.

[Forza_Roma]

Seems like they are close.

Marca: Baptista
vicino alla Roma

sarebbe di 15 milioni di euro, mentre l’offerta arriverebbe a 12. Un gap di tre milioni.

http://www.ilromanista.it/?section=news&id=12926

[dukeofdavinci]

i agree wth sinoy here, baptista is far better then what we already have and he could improve the rate of scoring wth us then the ones we have..

though the problem still is money, i dont think real would take a mere £9m+ for him.

well lets see what happens.but as for huntelar, he is a lost cause for us now.

[Jager]

Very good move if you get him, I rate him. He would fit your side perfectly.

[cerebral_assassin]

Good buy, but i like vuci alot also, both of them would be a good pair to have.

And well, there's always totti.