AS Roma shows interest in Dede Ayew

Italian giants AS Roma have added their name to the list of clubs who are interested in Ghana international Andre Ayew.

The Olympique Marseille man’s contract at the Stade Velodrome comes to an end this summer, and while the player and his father Abedi Pele have made positive noises about wanting to stay at OM, the Ghanaian will likely be receiving many offers for his services.

Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio has reported that Walter Sabatini, Roma’s sporting director, is keen to acquire Ayew when his deal expires at the end of June.

Roma’s interest has been piqued by the fact that they will not need to pay a transfer fee for the Black Star, although they face competition from several major clubs across Europe.

As reported recently by Goal, Ayew appears open to staying at Marseille, but only if the club present him with an offer deemed acceptable by the player and his father. Considering OM’s strict wage structure, such a deal may not be forthcoming.

Ayew has indicated a desire to play in the Premier League, which puts Tottenham Hotspur, who have reportedly held pre-contract talks with the player, among the favourites to take him on during the offseason.

Roma, however, may be hoping that the allure of Champions League football can help them convince Ayew to join compatriots Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu in Serie A.

Dede has been at Olympique Marseille since 2005 when he left Ghanaian side Nania.

He made his debut for OM during the 2007-08 campaign and after loan spells with Lorient and Arles-Avignon, established himself as one of the side’s key players.

The forward was instrumental for Marcelo Bielsa’s side on Friday evening as they thrashed Toulouse 6-1 in Ligue 1.

He won the African Youth Championship and the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2009 and has gone on to represent the Black Stars with distinction, featuring at four Nations Cups and two World Cups.