Jean-Philippe Gbamin could sign for Roma despite CSKA Moscow loan – report
Everton midfielder Jean Philippe Gbamin could leave CSKA Moscow in the next few weeks, with AS Roma interested in signing him, according to Corriere Dello Sport.
The Ivory Coast international ended his Goodison Park hell by signing for CSKA Moscow on loan until the end of the season after the January transfer window closed.
However, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, FIFA have passed a new rule that would allow players based in those countries to leave their teams temporarily until the end of the season to allow them to play.
That would also apply to Gbamin, and according to Corriere Dello Sport, Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma are interested in bringing him to the Italian capital to help bolster their squad.
They say that his ability to play at both centre-back and in midfield appeals to Mourinho and that because he holds a French passport he wouldn’t take up a non-EU spot in their squad.
Reinvigorated
Gbamin doesn’t seem to have a long-term future at Everton, because Lampard was keen to let him go despite several issues in that position.
But if he were to turn up in Rome, or stay in Russia, and show the level of performance that convinced the Toffees to spend over £25m on him in the first place then don’t be shocked to see him return.
Fitness issues were the biggest reason for his failure at Goodison Park, restricting him to just eight appearances in blue and forcing the club to build a squad without him.
But if the club fall into the Championship or just about stay up, they need to take a look at their squad again and an impressive final part of the season for Gbamin could see him make a case for himself.
Stranger things have happened on Merseyside, like Rafa Benitez being hired as manager, but it’s certainly a situation to keep an eye on between now and the start of next season.
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