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Roma tell Chelsea: Destro is 'absolutely not for sale'

ESPN staff
August 29, 2014
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Roma president James Pallotta has warned Chelsea off Mattia Destro by insisting the player is not going anywhere this summer.

It has been reported that Chelsea may launch a bid for the Italian forward, should the sale of Fernando Torres to AC Milan go through.

Mattia Destro has scored 33 goals in four Serie A seasons, including 19 for Roma last year © AP
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But Pallotta says they would just be wasting their time chasing the 23-year-old.

"Destro is absolutely not for sale," he said at the Champions League group stage draw, where Roma were pulled out in a group with Manchester City, Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow.

"He never has been and he is staying where he is, 100% certain."

Failure to sign Destro should not, however, prevent Chelsea from offloading Torres, whose move to the Italian capital moved a step closer following a meeting of his agent and Milan's general manager Adriano Galliani on Thursday.

The two clubs just need to reach an agreement with Milan keen on a loan move with Chelsea still contributing towards the player's wages. Torres' agent Margarita Garay told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he is "still positive" after the meeting.

Chelsea are currently sweating on the fitness of £32 million summer signing Diego Costa.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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