ROMA remain determined to sign Tammy Abraham with Jose Mourinho personally contacting the Chelsea striker to convince him to join.
The Blues are reportedly ready to cash in on the academy graduate after a long spell out of the side under Thomas Tuchel.
Arsenal are said to be ‘still in the race’ alongside Atalanta but Serie A giants Roma have pulled ahead in the battle to snap up the 23-year-old.
Giallorossi general manager Tiago Pinto flew into London last week for talks over a £34million transfer, which may include a buy-back option.
Also throwing his weight behind the deal is Jose Mourinho.
The Roma boss has personally called Abraham to try and persuade him to make the move to Italy, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Romano said Abraham “has not accepted yet” and that Arsenal are “still in the race”.
Mourinho managed Chelsea during his days in the youth team and they both first joined the club in 2004, albeit when Abraham was eight years old.
It is said that the England international harboured doubts about leaving the Premier League.
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But reports suggest Roma are increasingly confident of sealing a deal.
Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho is one alternative option named if Abraham does not arrive.
Chelsea are also close to selling Michy Batshuayi to Besiktas after a quiet spell at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal reportedly remain in the race for Abraham but have a number of targets on their radar after Friday’s defeat to Brentford.
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A new goalkeeper is being sought by Mikel Arteta with Barcelona’s Neto and Newcastle shot-stopper Freddie Woodman rumoured to be targets.
Martin Odegaard has re-emerged as an option after Real Madrid told the playmaker he will not be a first-choice player this season.
Carlo Ancelotti confirmed ahead of Real’s LaLiga kick-off against Alaves that the Norwegian has not been registered for the match.
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