Roma forward Gervinho. (Photo : Getty Images)
Recent reports have emerged that newly-promoted Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune FC has outbid fellow China top flight team Jiangsu Suning FC for the signature of Roma forward Gervinho and is now set to sign the Ivorian for €15 million.
Football Italia confirmed the reports, saying that "Roma winger Gervinho missed training today, as he's set to seal a €15m move to Hebei China Fortune", in an article published in their website.
The article also said that the 28-year-old Anyama, Ivory Coast native "had asked for a transfer" and that he is seriously considering a transfer to the Far East nation.
Previous reports have said that Jiangsu is the number one contender to sign Gervinho during this winter transfer window.
An initial bid of €10 million was said to have been offered to the Serie A giants by Dan Petrescu's side, as the club is perhaps the busiest CSL team this month with Sampdoria's Eder, AC Milan's Luiz Adriano, Inter Milan's Fredy Guarin, and Chelsea's Ramires also being targeted.
It was then reported that Jiangsu was willing to increase the offer from €12.5 million to €18 million, but it seems that both sides have not agreed to such a deal.
Roma's official TV channel verified that Gervinho did not attend training on Monday due to the ongoing transfer negotiations while other local reports say that the deal is set to be completed very soon.
"I can confirm there are negotiations on-going for Gervinho to China. When a player expresses the desire to leave, there's no point keeping him," I Giallorossi director Mauro Baldissoni said.
If the €15 million Gervinho sale pushes through, then La Maggica is set to profit €7 million as they acquired the Ivory Coast international for €8 million back in August 2013, as per Caught Offside.
He has appeared in 64 games for Roma since then, scoring 17 goals in that time period.
The report also said that the transfer would bring an end to "an indifferent spell" in the Italian top flight for the former Arsenal winger, who despite showing what some say are glimpses of excellence in Stadio Olimpico has not become quite the fan-favorite that he is expected to be in the capital city.
