Roma lead race for El Shaarawy

By Football Italia staff

Stephan El Shaarawy is set to leave Monaco, as Roma, Genoa and Bologna do battle for the Milan-owned striker.

The Little Pharaoh had quit San Siro over the summer in a loan deal with option to buy for €13m that would become mandatory at the 25th appearance.

El Shaarawy hit 24 games and promptly disappeared from the squad, a sign Monaco have no intention of activating the clause and instead want to send him back to Milan in January.

The Rossoneri don’t want the 23-year-old either, so a bidding war is breaking out in Serie A.

Roma look like the favourites, seeing El Shaarawy as an ideal replacement for Bournemouth-bound Juan Manuel Iturbe.

Genoa would be a return to his home-town club and help boost their situation after a difficult start to the season.

Tuttosport claims Bologna are also in the running for the Italy international, raising the cash by selling Amadou Diawara to Chelsea for €15m.

Meanwhile, today a banner appeared outside the Milan training ground that read: ‘Ste, come back home.’

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