Roma up Kuffour offer

AS ROMA are determined to add to their squad, and president Franco Sensi has offered over $US 16m for Bayern's Ghanaian defender Sammy Kuffour.

Roma are looking for new players to mount a defence of the Italian title and to make a good impression in the Champions League, but the defence is the main priority for the side, with last season's efforts not exactly resembling Fort Knox, even if they did come away as Serie A champions. They are hoping that Kuffor will give the defence some stability alongside Brazilian veteran Aldair.

Roma failed in a bid to sign Kuffour in June, offering $US 14m for his signature, but Bayern did not think the price was good enough. In addition to this, Swedish international defender Patrik Andersson leaving the club to join FC Barcelona has meant Bayern will also need defenders. As a result Kuffour was not allowed to get out of his contract, which expires in two years time, and leave for the Italian capital.

However now Sensi is ready to up his offer for the player. He has put $US 16.5m on the table, according to Corriere dello Sport, and a lucrative five-year-contract for Kuffour. The 24-year-old could earn around $US 1.3m per season if the deal goes though, and a confidant Sensi should come to Munich to attept to secure the deal. However it is very doubtful that commercial manager Uli Hoeness will let Kuffour go.