Roma, Ayala to replace leaving Panucci?

Newspaper Tuttosport today claims that Roma director of sport Daniele Pradé has identified Real Zaragoza central defender Roberto Fabian Ayala as the ideal replacement for Christian Panucci, who looks set to leave the Italian capital after his outburst in Naples.

It is suggested that the 35-year-old former Argentine international would be open to playing the role of understudy to first-choice centre-backs Philippe Mexes and Juan in Rome and his wages of €1 million per season are also well within the Romans’ budget. Ayala has also been linked with Lazio in recent days, but he player would prefer ‘Giallorossi”s side.