Serie A outfit seek new striker after Argentine makes Saints move.
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Roma are on the lookout for a new striker following the sale of Pablo Osvaldo to Southampton yesterday, and CaughtOffside understands they will make an approach to Chelsea for Senegal international Demba Ba.
Osvaldo scored 17 goals for the Serie A side last season, and will represent a big loss for the club that will be hoping to improve on their finish of 6th place in 2012/13, so they are keen to bring in someone upfront before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Ba is seen as a potential replacement, with the 28-year-old looking somewhat unlikely to feature for Chelsea under new manager Jose Mourinho this season. With the Blues on the hunt for a new forward themselves, they could be willing to let Ba leave if one of their targets is brought in.
Despite showing prolific form at former clubs West Ham and Newcastle, Ba has failed to settle at Stamford Bridge, scoring just two Premier League goals for the club since joining in the January transfer window.
Ba himself has previously stated that he is keen on staying and fighting for his place at Chelsea, following rumours that his old side West Ham could try to sign him back on loan this year, but he may not have a choice in the matter if Mourinho has other players in mind to complete his strike force.
Despite appearing to make little progress in their bid to sign Wayne Rooney from Manchester United, Chelsea have also been linked with the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Jackson Martinez and Christian Benteke. Another misfiring striker, Fernando Torres, also looked a likely candidate to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, though he started the Blues’ opening Premier League game against Hull City yesterday.
Roma have already raided the Premier League this summer, signing Ivory Cost winger Gervinho from Arsenal for £8million. They could still be set for even more spending as well, with young Argentine attacker Erik Lamela being strongly linked with a big-money move to Tottenham.
For now though, they are keen to address their issues upfront, and will make an enquiry to Chelsea over the availability of Ba. Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez is also thought to be high up on the wish-list of manager Rudi Garcia.
Ba was strongly linked with Arsenal before he joined Chelsea, though the Gunners appear not to have renewed their interest in the Senegalese forward this summer, despite still looking for additions upfront.