Roma are in the hunt for a forward having let Brazilian winger Alessandro Mancini move to Serie A rivals Inter Milan.

Spalletti had set his sights on Fiorentina’s Mutu but earlier this week La Viola president Andrea Della Valle insisted the Romania captain will be staying put.

“I think it’s over. There were certain conditions with which it could have happened,” said Spalletti.

“These conditions were at an advanced stage and everything was put in place so if Mutu hasn’t arrived that’s through no fault of this club.”

Roma were rumoured to have offered Mutu double the salary he is on at Fiorentina but La Viola’s technical administrator Sandro Mencucci insisted the forward is happy to be staying.

“The situation with Adrian Mutu is perfect, the player understood our intentions and now he just wants to think about playing and he’s not protesting.”

Roma will be pursuing other options now with Chelsea’s France winger Florent Malouda, Real Madrid’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Julio Baptista and even Zenit St Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin potentially on the capital-based club’s shopping list.

“We will sign a pair of players. Right now we have to look elsewhere but calmly because there’s still time,” added Spalletti.

“Baptista? I’ve never said anything about him. Baptista is a good player who has strong characteristics (but) we are strong in central midfield.”

I just read here, that Inter’s Adriano may be returning to Fiorentina. I would venture to guess that this move was being lined up by the Purple brass in the event Mutu bailed. Thoughts, anyone? If Muta stays, then would Fiore still have the cash to bring on Adriano – or would they want to? It Mutu leaves, would Adriano be a good replacement?

I never singled out anyone in my post. I have heard from many people who believe that Prands is going here, and then going there, and I just don’t buy it. But I was not referencing you or any one person.

Tomas,

Thank you for the kind words. The transfer window closes on August 31. But the transfer window on Mutu will essentially close in the second week of August, when the Viola play their first CL match, since he will then be cup-tied and will thus lose much of his value on the market.

I am keeping my eyes on the “Arshavin to Fiorentina” nonsense going around today and will report in if I get anything substantial.

Also, thanks for acknowledging the Hellas Verona/Fiorentina connection. You forgot to mention Frey, however, who donned the yellow blue for the 99/00 campaign. I liked the Tim Parks book, but I thought a better and more entertaining look into Italian football was written by one your New England mates – Joe McGinnis (The Miracle of Castel di Sangro).

Keep up the good work, Ted.