Roma 'terminate' Cassano talks
Saturday 15 October, 2005
Antonio Cassano’s rapport with Roma has truly broken down, as the club confirmed today it would not hold any more contract negotiations.
“I will not meet Cassano or his agent any more,” stated Giallorossi director Rosella Sensi on ‘Radio Radio.’
“The negotiations are terminated. We made an impressive proposal, but he did not give us an answer. Our tolerance in this matter has reached its limit.”
Cassano’s current deal expires at the end of the season and it’s reported he was offered a new two-year contract, but the player was unhappy with the proposed terms.
With the possibility of losing him on a free transfer in June rapidly approaching, it looks almost certain now that Roma will aim to sell the Italian international during the January transfer window.
Several clubs, including Juventus, Real Madrid, Milan and Chelsea, have been linked with the player in recent months, but his favoured destination would be with former Roma Coach Fabio Capello in Turin.
“We want to keep Cassano and there is no ultimatum,” insisted Sensi in a bid to calm the tension. “We made him an important offer, as only Francesco Totti would have higher wages at Roma.”
He had already been frozen out of the squad earlier this season for refusing to pen a new contract and this latest setback could put him back on the sidelines.
“I never said he wouldn’t play, but we do need people who are focusing on football rather than contracts. Luciano Spalletti will make a decision based on those factors.”
Spalletti was eager to toe the party line on this issue in his Press Conference today. “I need to have a meeting with the club. If Sensi said these things then there will certainly have been a reason and I will stick with Roma on this.”