Gervinho in Roma farewell ahead of China move: Report

Ivorian striker Gervinho has moved a step closer to the Roma exit door after saying farewell to teammates ahead of an expected move to Chinese side Hebei Fortune, reports said Monday.

Gervinho was left out of the Roma squad for their visit to Juventus on Sunday, when the Serie A champions secured a 1-0 win to leave Roma fifth at 12 points behind leaders Napoli.

Prior to Sunday’s defeat, Roma sporting director Mauro Baldissoni confirmed Gervinho had asked for a transfer.

“I can confirm we’re currently in talks, we’ve received interesting offers and when a player wants to leave the club there’s little you can do,” Baldissoni said.

“It could be settled very quickly.”

On Monday, Sky Sport Italia reported Gervinho was seen saying farewell to all his teammates at their Trigoria training ground, with reports elsewhere claiming Hebei Fortune, who play in China’s Super League, is his next destination.

Gervinho has hit only six league goals for Roma this season and doubts over his future at the club emerged when coach Rudi Garcia was sacked two weeks ago.

Garcia, who brought Gervinho to Serie A in 2013 having also taken him to Lille, where the striker won a league and Cup double in 2011 before moving to Arsenal, was replaced by former coach Luciano Spalletti.