Roma shares on the Milan stock exchange fell sharp

ROME -- A group of American investors led by Boston executive Thomas DiBenedetto plans to sign a deal to buy three-time Italian champion Roma by mid-April.After days of extensive negotiations in Rome, a joint statement issued near midnight on Tuesday read, "The signature for the agreements is scheduled for within the next 20 days."DiBenedetto's group is reportedly prepared to pay $109 million for a 60 percent share of the club. Roma Jerseys The Unicredit bank, which last year became co-owner of Roma following a debt-for-equity swap with the Sensi family,vibram five fingers, will retain 40 percent of the club but then sell part of its share to "strategic Italian investors."Roma shares on the Milan stock exchange fell sharply in early trading Wednesday, down nearly 7 percent at $1.57 per share.The deal would make the four-man American group the first foreign majority owners of a Serie A club.DiBenedetto is one of approximately 13 limited partners in the Boston Red Sox ownership group. The other members of the group planning to buy Roma are Boston Celtics minority owner James Pallotta, Michael Ruane and Richard D'Amore.
Roma has some of the biggest debt among Italian clubs, with the Gazzetta dello Sport estimating its deficit this year at $56 million.Roma could fall further into debt if it doesn't qualify for next season's Champions League. The team sits sixth, six points short of fourth -- with the top four gaining entry to the lucrative competition. Soccer Jerseys Roma was eliminated from this season's Champions League by Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk this month.Roma, which last won the Serie A in 2001, has had a tumultuous season, with Vincenzo Montella replacing Claudio Ranieri as coach last month.However, the club has some of the most dedicated fans in Italy and DiBenedetto has already declared he plans to build a new stadium.There is also the issue over DiBenedetto's participation in the Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool. UEFA rules prevent ownership of two clubs competing in the same competition and Roma and Liverpool could both qualify for next season's Europa League.