Soccer: Vialli cd be Samp chairman in US takeover

(ANSA) - Genoa, February 14 - Former Chelsea boss and Juventus and Italy star Gianluca Vialli could become president of Sampdoria, the Serie A club he led to the scudetto as striker in 1992, if a deal between owner and film producer Massimo Ferrero and an unidentified US fund goes through, sources close to the possible deal said Thursday.
    A meeting took place in Genoa Wednesday with Vialli representing the fund but the outcome was not decisive, the sources said.
    The former Chelsea star, 54, is said to be wavering between the prospect of chairing his old club and an offer from the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) to work with his former 'goal twin' Roberto Mancini, the former Samp and Lazio striker and ex-Man City and Inter boss who is now Italy coach. The deal might eventually see President Ferrero let go of 100% of the Samp shares, should a final agreement be reached. The 67-year-old, who took over Sampdoria in 2014, values the club at no less than €100m, which seems to be a reasonable price for the American fund. Currently, there are two clubs in the league with American owners: AC Milan and Roma, who are owned by Elliott management and Neep Roma Holding respectively.
    Vialli, who has worked in recent years for Sky Sports Italia, recently said he was in remission from cancer.