Roma legend Francesco Totti is about to complete a move to NASL side New York Cosmos, according to reports.
The Italian and Roma legend’s contract expires in the summer, but manager Luciano Spalletti has not yet shown any signs of wanting to keep the Italian icon for another season. These reports come amidst the news that Spalleti and Totti had a ‘bust up’ after Roma’s game against Atalanta over the weekend.
According to a report by Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Guardian) following the match, Spalletti began shouting at his players before Totti intervened, much to the annoyance of his manager who reportedly hit back: “You shut up. You’re not the one to talk, when you go around the rooms playing cards until 2am!”
Since then, ESPN has reported that Spalletti and Totti have put their differences aside and are focusing on the season ahead.
Totti to New York
Also known as Il Re di Roma which means “The King Of Rome”, Totti is wanted by Premier League high fliers Leicester City and manager Claudio Ranieri had attempted to make contact with him last month by offering him a one-year deal for next season. Ranieri has previously managed the former Italian International at Roma during his reign from 2009 to 2011. His experience of 24 years in European football and the top flight will prove invaluable for a Leicester side who will go into the Champions League for the first time in their history next season.
However, the 39-year-old is reportedly favouring a move to the United States and has been in contact with the New York Cosmos, according to Sky Italia (via Sky Sports). The Cosmos are third in the North American Soccer League and they may be looking to strengthen after the departure of the legendary Raul, in their hopes to switch to the more popular league of American football that is the MLS, in the near future.
Problems between Roma manager Spalletti and Totti over the course of the season have been well documented. With only a few weeks to go till the end of the season, there has been no sign of Il Gladiatore being offered a new contract that would see him stay and serve the Giallorossi for 25 years as a player. Totti leaving at the end of this season and to another club would see the bitter culmination of a legendary career and the end to one of the few remaining one-club romances in modern football.
