After Giuseppe Rossi and Arturo Lupoli, Manchester United have reportedly sparked another row over Roma youth starlet Davide Petrucci.
The 16-year-old striker is the top scorer with the Allievi Nazionali and a first choice for the Under-17 Azzurri squad.
British clubs have been accused over the past few years of poaching young Serie A players before they can legally sign a professional contract in Italy.
Despite the fact Roma do not legally need to give their youth players a professional deal with wages until they turn 19, they have made an exception to keep Petrucci under wraps.
The problem is he has refused the minimum wage offer of £1,000 per month and is taking his time to consider his options.
There are reports in newspaper ‘Il Romanista’ that Manchester United’s interest is behind this decision, which would include a far higher wage deal and a house so his parents can relocate to England.
In response Roma have taken a hard line and have frozen Petrucci out of training for the past three days.
It would be a similar situation to that of ex-Parma youth products Rossi (who went to Manchester United) and Lupoli (towards Arsenal) before they could be put under professional contracts at the Tardini.
