Roma signed Mauro Esposito on a co-ownership deal today, said Cagliari. 'He's a real bargain.'
There was talk of a deal throughout the last fortnight, however it seems the 2 parties have in the end agreed terms.
'On Monday I will sell Esposito to Roma and he will come at a good price,' President Massimo Cellino informed 'Il Romanista' newspaper.
'They will pay £1.7 million for half of his contract and that is a real bargain. He has fully recovered from his injury.'
Esposito is an Italian international and was in the frame for the 2006 World Cup team before missing almost all of last season with a knee ligament injury.
'When Roma asked what condition he was in, I suggested they only buy out half his contract. I know he will prove himself and £3 million for the whole ownership will not be enough. Mauro is a good player and 2 years ago, when David Suazo was going through a difficult time, Esposito saved us from Serie B with 16 goals and deserved to be at the World Cup. It is also good luck, as the last player I sold the Giallorossi in a co-ownership agreement was Jonathan Zebina and they went on to win the Scudetto.'
Roma are also interested in defender Michele Canini, along with Fiorentina and Milan, however Cellino is sticking to his guns.
'Oh they definitely would like him and have requested the player, however Canini will stay here. I did assure that if he was released, he would go to Roma thanks to the excellent rapport I have with Franco and Rosella Sensi.'
That relationship risked a split earlier in the summer, when Suazo was promised to the Giallorossi only to in the end join Inter.
'Roma were in pole position for Suazo and were going to include 4 young players in the exchange. Then I discovered the player had a verbal agreement with Inter and I was extremely disappointed.'
