Roma unaware of Cassano ‘deal’ Monday 21 February, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roma insist they haven’t agreed to sell Antonio Cassano to Juventus at the end of the season.
Livorno President Aldo Spinelli has claimed that the move will take place, with the Turin giants offering Adrian Mutu as part of the deal.
But Roma chief executive Rosella Sensi maintains that she is unaware of the proposed transfer.
"I don’t know anything about it," she told Sky microphones. "Spinelli probably wants to candidate himself to be our next sporting director…"
Spinelli is understood to have made the comments given his alleged ‘inside knowledge’ after he recently aided Juve in the January capture of Mutu.
Cassano’s future has been at the centre of much speculation as his contract – plus those of Francesco Totti and Vincenzo Montella – expires in 2006.
"Roma are keen to extend them all," added the President’s daughter. "Let me also underline that Cassano was in the crowd today.
"Despite being suspended and ill, he wanted to show that he is very committed to this team."
The capital boys got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Livorno yesterday, a victory which has brought them closer to a top-four finish.
"We are now just three points behind Udinese," added Sensi. "But let me say again that qualifying for the Champions’ League and keeping the three strikers at the club are not linked.
"They are two objectives that we want to reach but two targets that are totally separate from each other."