by Renee Israel
As close as
AS Roma were to beating Inter Milan, their biggest opponents in
Serie A, Italy's premier football division, Internazionale were too strong, going on to win the coveted Treble. But Roma has a Brazilian or two up its sleeve.
Aware that it needs to bolster the team ahead of the next Serie A season, the powers that be at AS Roma scored a coup when they signed a three-year deal with talented Brazilian midfielder, Fábio Simplício, who has been playing for Palermo.
The deal will see 30-year-old Simplicio earn 1.8 million euros a season which will no doubt keep his bank manager happy. The midfielder, who played two Serie A seasons with Parma and four with Palermo, described the move as a 'big step up.'
The signing is AS Roma's first of the post season and is not expected to be the last. According to the Serie A rumour mill, Simplício will more than likely be joined at AS Roma by the talented and controversial Adriano, who is also Brazilian.
That is providing the striker can shake off legal issues he is facing in connection with his alleged links to a Brazilian drug gang that has been implicated in the murder of several police officers. Adriano's connection to the gang is thought to be financial.
If Adriano is proven to be connected to the gang, it will come as a blow to the AS Roma hierarchy who have reportedly had their eye on the Brazilian for some time. During his time in Serie A, Adriano has played for Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Parma.
But potential scandals aside, the message is clear - AS Roma want to come back fighting fit in next season's Serie A and show their fans that they can take down the mighty Inter Milan. Of course, Inter will be without their superb coach Jose Mourinho.
