Roma are preparing to hijack Napoli’s bid to sign Sassuolo’s Croatian international full back Sime Vrsaljko as the capital side attempt to strengthen their back line ahead of the new season.

It had been believed that Vrsaljko’s transfer to the Partenopei was a mere formality after Maurizio Sarri’s side appeared to have beaten off competition from Juventus for the signature of the 23-year-old. However, Roma are moving to capitalise upon Napoli’s continued failure to agree a transfer fee with Sassuolo.

Tuttomercatoweb.com understands that the Giallorossi’s director of sport, Walter Sabatini harbours ambitions to bring the player to the Stadio Olimpico and that he has already made initial contact with the right back’s representatives. With Maicon reaching the end of his career and Vasilis Torosidis close to agreeing a transfer to Bologna, Sabatini views Vrsaljko as along term solution for Roma’s right back position.

The former Genoa player has been capped 10 times by his country and is viewed as one of the best young full backs in Europe. It is believed that Sassuolo would accept a transfer fee of around €10 million for the player.