Sampdoria join race for Destro

Turin-based daily newspaper Tuttosport understands that Sampdoria are weighing up summer bid for Roma striker Mattia Destro.

With Stefano Okaka and Gonzalo Bergessio expected to leave, the Blucerchiati are in the market for attacking reinforcements and are currently looking at a number of players.

While they continue to be linked with Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano, Sampdoria are also keen on Mattia Destro.

The Blucerchiati chairman Massimo Ferrero and sporting director Carlo Osti met with their Roma counterparts yesterday and they were told the Giallorossi would only consider an outright sale.

Destro is currently on loan with AC Milan, who have the option to make the transfer permanent, but they look unlikely to exercise the buy-out clause.

It remains to be seen whether the striker will be interested in joining Sampdoria having previously played for local rivals Genoa.

The Blucerchiati improved their hopes of clinching European qualification by hammering Udinese and they can now be backed at 2/1 to see off Lazio as well.