Could this Roma forward become the Premier League's next Balotelli?

Roma have announced that they are prepared to sell 27-year-old striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo if the right offer comes along.

So why exactly are the Italian press suggesting that Roma will flog one of their best players? Especially when he has a strike rate of a goal every other game for the Italian giants.

Well it seems they’re quite frankly sick of him because he seems to rival Mario Balotelli in terms of disruptiveness and downright distain for the privileged position he finds himself in.

Sources in Italy are suggesting that Osvaldo is the centre of much unrest in the dressing room at Roma with the Argentine-born Italian challenging several of the club’s senior players both on and off the pitch.

It’s also rumoured that he once punched a teammate (Erik Lamela) in the dressing room after a match because he refused to pass the ball to him when Osvaldo claimed to be in a better position.

Fiorentina is the only club since 2005 where he has been at a side for more than a single year because a very familiar trend seems to be developing.

This doesn’t exactly make him the ideal proposition for any Premier League side that needs a striker in the summer.

However, with impending cost control measures across most European leagues, a side could be tempted to take a gamble on him because he seems to be that disruptive at Roma, they’ll let him leave on the cheap.

Furthermore, his scoring record at his last two clubs (Espanyol and currently Roma) has been very good; 20 goals in 44 games in Spain and 22 goals in 42 games so far for Roma.

The fact Mauricio Pochettino is now managing in the Premier League is also relevant because he has hands on experience of working with Osvaldo up close and personally.

He is a good coach to approach for any side thinking about giving him a chance in English football and the Saints may even be a possible side that Osvaldo could join, if Pochettino can deal with someone he’s already had problems with.

The void which has undoubtedly been left by Mario Balotelli may quickly be filled by another star who seems to think he’s a God as opposed to a human being and a football player.

Do you see any side taking a punt on Osvaldo?

image: © Damien Cansse

Lewis Doe

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Lewis Doe is a freelance writer and editor who seeks to bring you the biggest, smallest and most interesting stories from the football world. Lewis has previously written for some of the biggest football news and opinion sites in the world including FootballFanCast and Goal.com International. Lewis is also experienced writing in the betting industry and aims to deliver his stories with up to date factual and statistical information. He hopes to sum up stories for the site and provide an angle on the issue moving forward.