Gervinho Likely to join Monaco

Gervinho Likely to join Monaco

Monaco are preparing a shock summer swoop for Roma
attacker Gervinho as the player considers leaving the
Italian club.
Gervinho - who joined the Giallorossi from Arsenal only
last August - enjoyed a stellar campaign in 2013-14,
scoring 12 goals and notching nine assists in all
competitions as Rudi Garcia's men finished second in
Serie A.
Despite an impressive season under Garcia - with whom
he worked at Lille earlier in his career - the Cote
d'Ivoire international is now exploring the possibility of
a lucrative move in the summer.
Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini previously
agreed to offer Gervinho an increase on his €2.3 million-
a-year deal at Stadio Olimpico, but the 26-year-old has
given his advisors the green light to explore the
prospect of a transfer while he prepares for next
month's World Cup.
Ligue 1 runners-up Monaco are in pole position to make
a move for the pacey attacker, despite having sacked
coach Claudio Ranieri earlier this week.
They have earmarked the player as a prime transfer
target to bolster the squad and mount a challenge for
both Ligue 1 and the Champions League next season.
The Principality outfit have already contacted the player
to make their interest known and have indicated they
would be prepared to significantly increase his current
salary as they get set to fly out to Rome to discuss a
deal with his club.
Gervinho's contract with Roma contains a €20m buy-
out clause, but Monaco are hoping to reduce that figure
during negotiations.