Serie A club Roma and Ivorian forward Gervinho are in negotiations with Chinese outfit Jiangsu Suning and are said to have reached a $19 million transfer deal for the player. A contract is expected to be signed early next week to cement the deal.

According to Football Italia, Gervinho will be flying to China in the coming week to complete the transfer.

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The wealthy Chinese outfit initially tendered a proposal of $11 million to get the services of the Ivorian Gervinho, but eventually it was turned down.

Now, French site footmercato and Mediaset Premium in Italy claim that the two football sides have reached a verbal agreement having a whooping value of $16 million plus $4 million bonuses.

La Maggica is reported to be hesitant to make the deal known to public, as the club does not want to have another Luiz Adriano scenario.

Recently, the AC Milan striker flew to China to secure his visa and to undergo the necessary medical tests. All indications were pointing to the $15 million transfer being completed only for the negotiations to break down at the last moment.

Gervinho, started his football career at an Ivorian football club ASEC Abidjan. The side that produced the likes of Bonaventure Kaou, Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboue, Salomon Kalou, Romaric, Didier Ya Konan and Yaya Toure.

He also played for Toumodi before moving to the now-defunct Beveren in 2004. He played in the French Ligue 1 with the Le Mans and Lille during his stint in the league between 2007 and 2011.

The Ivorian footballer was sold to Arsenal in 2011 and moved to Roma in 2013 following Rudi Garcia's appointment as Lupi manager. He has made 71 appearances for the Ivorian national team, scoring 20 goals.

Jiangsu Suning FC is the same club that had an offer for Sampdoria forward Eder, but he turned it down. The club is reported to be also keen to get the services of Inter Milan Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin.

TagsRoma, Jiangsu Suning, Gervinho