Italian international expected to leave the club this summer.
The Roma ultras have unveiled a banner at the club’s training camp on Saturday labelling striker and Southampton target Pablo Osvaldo a coward, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 27-year-old has had a troubled relationship with both the club and the supporters during his time in Rome, despite maintaining an impressive goal-scoring record.
From falling out with team-mates to publicly criticising former coach Aurelio Andreazzoli, the former Espanyol star has courted controversy over the last year or so and it appears as though his actions have not been taken too kindly by the Giallorossi faithful.
Both Manchester City and Tottenham were also linked with a move earlier this summer, although speculation suggests Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino is keen on a reunion with the striker after their time together in Spain.
Nevertheless, after a friendly altercation with a supporter earlier this week, Osvaldo has received further attention with the banner being displayed at the club’s pre-season retreat in full view of the players.
On the previous occasion, Osvaldo was told he didn’t understand what it meant to play for Roma, and that had he focused on his football he would have been like “an emperor” in the city.
The Italian international responded by asking what more the supporters wanted from him, seeing as though he had scored “200 goals for the club”.
While that assessment is a huge exaggeration of his actual achievements, it would appear that the striker’s days at Roma are numbered. With such a backlash from the supporters, it is understood the club’s hierarchy are still pushing for a sale this summer.
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