That is not the case for Raffaele De Martino, who has seemingly gone AWOL from the youth team training camp.
The 18-year-old midfielder was complaining of stomach pains and headed back to Rome for tests, but according to reports he never showed up. There are suggestions he returned home for family reasons, but the Italian newspapers insist he has flown out to London.
“Raffaele called me last night and assured me he is still in the Peninsula,” revealed agent Giuseppe Galli. “He hasn’t signed anything yet, but there are negotiations in place with the English clubs.”
De Martino has already featured in Serie A and the Champions’ League for the Giallorossi this season, but is not yet tied to a professional contract.
It’s claimed that Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham and Glasgow Rangers are all interested in taking him on for a new start in Britain.
“Roma had been warned about this situation,” added Galli. “Once the English sides discovered he was effectively a free agent, they went straight to De Martino’s father and he called him home to discuss an important career opportunity.”
Del Neri rages at Roma loss
Gigi Del Neri is fuming at Raffaele De Martino running away from Roma to negotiate with Arsenal and warned the club to make a stand.
“I can only hope he has the strength to make his own decisions,” said the Coach. “It’s a shame to see an 18-year-old lad who should be growing up with different values. The club must make an example of him.”
De Martino has already played for the Giallorossi in Serie A and the Champions’ League this season, but is not yet tied to a professional contract.
The midfielder left the youth team tournament at Viareggio this week, but never reached his destination, instead going back to his family in order to discuss terms with a number of Premiership sides including Arsenal.
“We offered De Martino a contract,” explained Roma director Daniele Prade’. “There is a significant difference between his requests and our proposal, as he wants more than double his wages. We consider our youth system to be a valuable asset, but there has to be a balance.”
This would not be the first time that Serie A sides have seen their youth products poached, as Parma also complained of Arsenal signing teenager Arturo Lupoli before they could put him under a professional contract.
“There is a certain age between the youth team and 18 years in which foreign clubs can effectively come in and register our players,” continued the Roma director. “Italian sides are unprotected and UEFA must do something about this.”
De Martino’s agent gives another angle to the scenario and claims it is purely a question of finances.
“The player is still in Italy, but he is in negotiations with an English club,” explained Giuseppe Galli. “Roma had been warned of overseas interest for De Martino.”
“We had asked for a three-year contract worth £62,000 per season and rising to £83,000 by the third year. Roma offered a five-year deal that started from £27,000 and rose to a maximum of £83,000. If he signs for a Premiership side, De Martino will immediately earn £173,000 per season net.”（CHANNEL4）
发表于 2005-1-30 02:29:00
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发表于 2005-1-30 03:41:00