Samp rule out Sheva swoop
15 Jul 2008 - 16:50:11
Sampdoria general manager Beppe Marotta has ruled out the possibility of signing Chelsea's Ukraine international Andriy Shevchenko.
The 31-year-old former AC Milan star had been linked with a move to Sampdoria at the weekend but Marotta now accepts the club cannot afford Shevchenko's wages.
"Sheva has been suggested, but there's zero possibility that he will come to us," Marotta told Corriere dello Sport.
"I just keep thinking of Galliani's (Milan vice-president Adriano) words when he declared that if Shevchenko leaves Chelsea it will only be to wear the red and black shirt."
Marotta had said at the weekend: "We have a way to resolve our problems up front with a figure able to stir up the crowd as well as put the ball in the back of the net.
"Sheva would be happy to join us, but there are problems around his wages.
"Many top-class players like Sampdoria and a deal is entirely plausible, so never say never."
Shevchenko has scored 22 goals in 76 appearances for the Blues since his big-money switch to Stamford Bridge over two years ago.