Roma have taken an interest in Nery Castillo, who has had a quite unremarkable few months in England with Manchester City.

The Mexican earned instant respect amongst football fans in England when it was revealed he paid part of the fee which took him to Eastlands from Shakhtar Donetsk on loan last season. However, he has endured an injury-riddled time in the Premier League and is well down Mark Hughes’s pecking order.

Castillo still has six months remaining on his temporary contract with the Blues, but he seems certain to make a swift exit ahead of the transfer deadline. Real Betis are in pole position for his signature, but his agent has now revealed Luciano Spalletti wants him in his Roma squad.

"Negotiations are quite advanced. I think they are heading in the correct direction," Juan Carlos Padilla told Mediotiempo.com. "I knew it was possible to happen and it is taking better and better shape. We want to be fair with Betis as the first option. Next week it will be defined between Betis or Roma."

Castillo, 25-years-old, was once a major target for Sir Alex Ferguson who invited him over for a trial at Manchester United. It has not worked out for the forward in England, but he has had few chances due to his injury, and if he can regain his best form, his possible move to Roma could be a big plus for Serie A.