Roma threaten rebel Cassano
Friday 12 August, 2005
The contract dispute between Antonio Cassano and Roma has reached a head as the club threatens to freeze him out if he doesn’t sign a renewal.
“We will only consider him to be a Roma player if he renews his deal,” warned director Rosella Sensi this afternoon. “Now we are waiting to know what his intentions are.”
The starlet’s current deal expires in June 2006 and he has been hesitant over accepting new terms. Yesterday Juventus patron Lapo Elkann let slip the reasons behind that approach – they wish to take him on a free transfer next summer.
“We have made an important offer to Cassano, even when we were locked down by FIFA’s transfer embargo, which proves how much we care for Antonio,” continued the daughter of President Franco Sensi.
“Now we are waiting for him to tell us if he has any intention of signing a new deal. We will only consider him to be a Roma player if he renews his contract. It is true our offer is different to the one we put on the table in February, but it remains competitive and in line with the kind of wages that, for example, Milan gave to Alberto Gilardino.”
There are reports that money is not the issue for Cassano, who has made it clear on a number of occasions that he wishes to be reunited with Fabio Capello in Turin.
Director General Luciano Moggi insisted Juventus had no plans to make a bid for the Italian international, but Elkann admitted the real strategy to journalists on Thursday. “We want to take Cassano on a free transfer, then we’ll keep him in check. Juve can win everything, but to do that they need Cassano.”
This brings the issue back to Roma patron Sensi, who sent out a veiled warning to the temperamental player.
“It is in his own interests to sign the contract so that he can play in a relaxed state of mind. If he is wracked with uncertainty over his future, then he won’t perform well on the pitch and that will hurt Roma. We have faith he will make the right decision.”