Jack Rodwell's career looks set to take an unexpected twist with the midfielder set for talks over a move to Roma.
The Serie A side are in the midst of an injury crisis and are reportedly looking for free agents to cover crucial positions.
And Rodwell fits the bill, having left Blackburn Rovers earlier this year.
The 28-year-old has Premier League experience, having played for Everton , Manchester City and Sunderland.
He was widely recognised as one of English football's prospects in his teenage years while still with Everton, but injuries meant he never fulfilled his potential at the very top of the game.
However, he could have the chance to reinvigorate his career as he due in Italy for talks over joining Roma, according to the Mail .
The Serie A club will decide whether to take him on a short-term deal until the end of the season, pending fitness tests.
Rodwell first impressed at Everton after coming through the club's academy, and made his first-team debut for the club at the age of 17.
He played primarily as a defensive midfielder, but was also regarded as having the potential to become a top-class centre-back.
City signed him for £12m in 2012, but injury limited his playing time and he left the club in 2014 having played just 16 times.
He joined Sunderland, but left for Blackburn in 2018 having played just 21 times for the Black Cats.
If he signs for Roma, Rodwell will count on-loan Manchester United defender Chris Smalling among his team-mates at the club.
Smalling was left fuming after a penalty was wrongly awarded against him in Roma's 1-1 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Europa League on Tuesday.
The centre-back was adjudged by referee Willie Collum to have handled in the box, when the ball had actually hit him full in the face.
