Brazilian ace Michel Bastos will see the remainder of the season out in Italy, after completing his loan move from Al Ain to Roma.
Such a move has been in the pipeline for the last few days, as the Giallorossi look to add more quality to their squad in a quest to secure a top-three finish and UEFA Champions League football. Rudi Garcia’s side are currently in second position, seven points clear of fourth-placed Fiorentina yet eight points behind leaders Juventus.
Bastos has been plying his trade in the United Arab Emirates with Al Ain since August of last year, when they took him from Lyon for a fee of around €4million. He has gone on to make 15 appearances for the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium side, scoring three goals, yet it looks as though he may have kicked his last ball for the UAE champions.
The former Brazil international, who won 10 caps for his country from 2009-10, has joined Roma on loan for the remainder of the campaign. The Italian giants have paid €1.1million for the temporary deal, but an agreement between the two clubs could see the wide midfield make the move permanent for €3.5million during the summer.
Bastos was heavily linked with Napoli earlier this month, but Rafael Benitez’s side conceded defeat in their attempts to sign him over the weekend. The player is now expected to make his Giallorossi debut at Hellas Verona on Sunday morning, and he told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I am very happy to be here. Forza Roma!”
