Roma enter race for Matri

Roma are set to rival Napoli for the signature of Juventus striker Alessandro Matri.

The 29-year-old Italian international is due to leave the Juventus stadium having been deemed surplus to requirements by Bianconeri coach Antonio Conte, and the Lupi see him as the ideal man to replace Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, who was sold to Premier League side Southampton recently.

Sky Sport Italia reports that on Friday Juve director general Giuseppe Marotta and Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini met over lunch to discuss the player’s future, and a potential transfer to the Stadio Olimpico.

With Ivorian forward Gervinho arriving from Arsenal and the seemingly imminent departure of Erik Lamela to Tottenham Hotspur, the Giallorossi could field a completely new strike-force at the beginning of the new season.

Matri has scored 29 goals in 84 appearances for the Old Lady since making the move from Cagliari in 2011.