New Roma manager Rudi Garcia refuses to let go of one of his prize assets.
AS Roma have rebutted an offer from Everton for American midfielder Michael Bradley.
According to MLSSoccer.com new Everton boss Roberto Martinez is keen on adding the Roma and USMNT enforcer to his squad to bolster his midfield, but Roma manager Rudi Garcia does not want to lose a player whom he has already singled out as particularly important in his short time with the club so far.
News of the club’s pursuit of Bradley could spell bad news for Everton fans, as he would most likely be a replacement for much-coveted midfielder Marouane Fellaini – long linked with a move to Manchester United to play again under former Everton boss David Moyes.
After joining from Chievo at the end of the 2011-12 season, Bradley proved himself a valuable cog in a highly effective Roma midfield machine, seemingly putting his injury problems behind him to play 30 league games.
Bradley’s contributions helped Roma reach the Coppa Italia final, where they were defeated 1-0 by rivals Lazio.
Should Everton hope to prize Bradley away from Roma, it is thought that they would have to at least double the £3.3m Roma paid to Chievo for the 26-year-old this time last year.