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27th Aug 09
Gareth Freeman
Roma’s Brazilian forward Julio Baptista could be set for a move to Italy’s Serie A champions Inter Milan.
News has surfaced that the former Real Madrid star is due for discussions with Jose Mourinho’s men over a transfer from the Stadio Olimpico, after falling out of favour with Luciano Spaletti.
The forward, who also spent time on loan in the English Premier League with Arsenal, only moved to Roma last year and has expressed his desire to remain in Serie A, quashing speculation of possible moves back to England.
According to his agent, a number of top Italian teams are chasing Baptista and Inter are at the head of the queue.
Herminio Menendez told romagiallorossa.com that he is “talking” to Inter Milan and the player “could join them on a permanent transfer”.
“The negotiations must be completed soon because on Monday the transfer window ends,” he added.
It is believed by many in Italy that Inter Milan are turning their attentions to Baptista after Real Madrid’s Dutch international midfielder Wesley Sneijder’s move was scrapped after he pledged his future to the Bernabeu and Sampdoria warned them off making efforts to sign Antonio Cassano.
After losing their top goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the summer, the pressure is on Mourinho to rediscover the attacking credentials of his team as they look to improve their Serie A odds and aim for their third successive Serie A triumph.
The need for new attacking threats was highlighted when they were held on the opening day of the new Serie A season, when newly-promoted Bari achieved a credible 1-1 draw at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
New summer singing Samuel Eto’o, who joined the champions as part of the mammoth deal which saw Ibrahimovic move to Barcelona, opened his scoring in Serie A from the penalty spot.
