Former
Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole has arrived in Italy for talks
with Roma officials.
The 33-year-old is a free agent following his release by the Blues earlier
this summer and has been linked with a number of teams, both in the Premier
League and in Europe.
However, he looks set to sign for Roma after flying out to the Italian
capital, with the Serie A side posting a photo on their official Twitter
feed, with the message: "Welcome to Rome, Ashley!".
According to the Italian media, Cole is poised to put pen to paper a
two-year deal worth around £1.82m, with an option for a third season as Roma
look to strengthen their squad ahead of their return to the UEFA Champions
League.
Cole signed for Chelsea in a controversial move from rivals Arsenal in 2006
for £5m and went on to make over 300 appearances for the club.
He lifted the Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti in 2010, before clinching
the 2012 Champions League under Roberto Di Matteo, as well as the 2013
Europa League with Rafa Benitez, and five FA Cups.
Cole has also made 107 appearances for England, but announced his retirement
from international football ahead of the World Cup after he was left out of
Roy Hodgson's squad for the finals in Brazil.
Roma are also close to signing Fenerbahce's Salih Ucan, with the 20-year-old
midfielder set to sign a two-year loan deal with an option to buy for a
reported fee of around £8.73m.
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