Roma sporting director Monchi has made it clear that now is not the right moment to discuss a new contract for Cengiz Under.
Monchi’s latest statement could open the path for Under to leave Italy altogether if it is not resolved with several Premier League sides including Arsenal and Manchester United interested.
“We haven’t decided anything for Cengiz Under yet,” he told Sky Sports Italia before Roma’s 1-0 loss to Udinese. “He is very young, he is improving.
“But this is not the right moment to discuss a new contract and he must continue the growth process.
“Let’s leave him in peace to mature at his own pace. What needs to come will come in good time.”
Sources close to Under have made it clear to Turkish-Football that they are not satisfied with the young winger being one of the lowest paid players in the Roma first-team.
There is interest from Premier League giants such as Arsenal and United who have been scouting the young winger.
Under makes around €1m per-season and still has another three years left on his contract.
The 21-year-old’s representatives have been trying to negotiate a wage increase with a buyout clause option.
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Arsenal and United have enquiries to his representatives regarding an end of term move.
Under wants a move to the Premier League or La Liga if he does leave Italy and his representatives will push for an exit if their wage demands are ignored.
A January move does however, look unlikely for the player Roma value as being worth at least £44.5m.
Despite the latest contract wranglings Under is happy at Roma but if an improved contract is not offered an end of season move looks likely.
Part of the reason the Giallorossi are holding back from offering Under a new deal is regarding his long-term future.
The club are weighing up whether to sell him over the summer or keep him on as a long-term player but with competition for his place in the team he may be one-star name Roma could afford to lose.
The winger did not start for Roma in the 1-0 defeat to Udinese over the weekend.