A tempestuous weekend left Roma’s veteran right-back Christian Panucci feeling under-valued and frustrated with life in the Italian capital. The vastly experienced international defender, having been relegated to the bench once again by head coach Luciano Spalletti, simply released his anger and refused to take his station.
Only a matter of hours later, the former Milan and Real Madrid star announced that he would not be renewing his contract with I Lupi and was actively seeking a move away from the club.
Although the 35-year-old defender has been linked with several clubs, French champions Olympique Lyonnais are the frontrunners in the race according to Danilo Caravello, the a representative for the player. “The possibility [of a move to Lyon] is very real,” he is quoted to have said on Goal.com’s French site. “Lyon is the most likely destination [for Panucci].”
Claude Puel, general manager of Lyon, would no doubt be keen to sign Panucci simply for his experience in a right-back role that les Gones are desperately lacking at present. Anthony Réveillère and François Clerc are both long-term absentees and, although Fabio Santos filled the void with some distinction against Olympique de Marseille on Wednesday evening in the Coupe de France, it is widely believed that a more reliable figure is required.
Panucci’s main drawback would be his inability to feature in the Champions League after participating with Roma. “It’s a problem,” admitted Caravello. “It could thwart the operation.”
Time is quickly slipping away from Lyon if they are to add strength to their squad before the closure of the transfer window and it seems increasingly probable that they will not make great additions to their squad.
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