New AS Roma owner admits to scouting American players

AS Roma’s new American owner Thomas DiBenedetto admits that the Italian Serie A club is pursuing top American players.

Recent reports suggest that the Giallorossi are keen on USA star and LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan whilst Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan, Villa loanee Michael Bradley, New York Red Bulls young gun Juan Agudelo and Anderlecht’s Sacha Kljestan are also targets.

DiBenedetto spoke to MLSsoccer.com about his plans for the capital city club, which included who the next manager will be, but stopped short of mentioning any names.

"We are obviously scouting players everywhere and we are obviously interested in the American products, both in MLS and abroad," DiBenedetto said from Rome. "I obviously can't tell you any names, but we want only the best for our team.

“We know that this is something unique in Italy, a first time. For this reason, we chose the best managers available, starting by the new sporting director, Mr. Walter Sabatini, a former SS Lazio and US Palermo director and an AS Roma player in the '70s."

DiBenedetto also said that the current model of a lot of MLS clubs is something he will look at when making business decision for Roma.

"We observe with a lot of interest the MLS business model," he added.

"Especially with regard to marketing in the local communities, the new soccer-specific stadiums and the league structure with a commissioner with real powers. And anyway, in MLS, there are some of the best businessmen in the world of sport."

 
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