Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has
confirmed that the Serie A club are hoping to sign Julio Baptista
from Real Madrid.
Reports in the Italian media have suggested that the Brazilian
forward, who spent a season on loan with Arsenal in 2006/07, is
poised to complete his move to the Stadio Olimpico.
Baptista, nicknamed 'The Beast', is expected to leave Santiago
Bernabeu this summer and his agent has admitted he would welcome a
permament transfer to Roma.
Spalletti sees the powerful international as an 'ideal' player,
but insisted he had other options if the move failed to
materialise.
Spalletti said: "It is true that we are in talks
for Baptista, but in a relaxed atmosphere.
"He has great potential and is ideal for our situation, but I
don't want to create tensions within the club.
"Baptista can occupy several different roles. He has played as a
centre-forward and a midfielder in front of the defence.
"He can easily settle in to the team and is suited to our style
of play, the philosophy of our squad. But there are other players,
because we have to be ready."