Conor Borg is close to giving his fledgling career a massive boost as yesterday it was confirmed that Roma are in talks with Premier League club Floriana to acquire the services of the 17-year-old midfielder.

Reports in Italy over the weekend said the Serie A giants had been following the progress of the Malta U-19 player for a few months now and talks with Floriana FC are at an advanced stage.

Giovanni Tedesco, the Floriana coach, told Times of Malta that negotiations were ongoing and he expected his young player to conclude this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and move to Italy at the end of the season.

“It’s true Roma are engaged in talks with Floriana to sign Conor Borg,” Tedesco said.

“Roma’s director of football Walter Sabatini has been following Conor’s progress from the start of the season and he seems really keen on our player.

“He instructed scouts to follow Conor’s development during the season and last month Sabatini had his assistant, Pasquale Sensibile, in Malta for a week.

“Sensibile also attended our training sessions to monitor Conor’s attitude and approach. I believe that the deal is at a very advanced stage and I’m sure that Conor will not turn down such a career-changing move.”

Tedesco said that Roma’s approach for Borg vindicates the club’s stance to give talented players the chance to prove themselves with the first team.

“Ever since I joined Floriana I always believed that I had to give the ones coming up more chance and opportunity to prove themselves,” Tedesco said.

Ever since I joined Floriana I always believed that I had to give the ones coming up more chance and opportunity to prove themselves

“Besides Conor, this season we also introduced other upcoming players in our first team squad... Neil Spiteri and Tyrone Gauci readily come to my mind. They are showing that they deserve their place in the squad.

“I think it’s a pity that other clubs in the Premier League do not follow our example. They only bring in young players when the team is winning 3-0 or 4-0. The new talent coming up need their clubs for support and to have confidence in them.”

Borg was one of Floriana’s star performers in Saturday’s important 3-0 victory over Balzan when he netted his team’s third goal.

Tedesco said victory, which put Floriana on pole in the race for a top-four finish that could yield a place in the Europa League next season, was the result of a collective effort from his players.

“I was pleased with my team against Balzan,” Tedesco said.

“We prepared very well and analysed Balzan’s game plan in other matches. We sought ways to nullify the threat of their key players. I have only words of praise for my players who were tactically perfect.

“Surely, the team’s position in the standings is the result of months of sheer hard work.

“The players are showing great commitment and they’re willing to learn... we have now gelled into a very solid team.

“There is a long way to go but if the players continue to show this kind of motivation, commitment and determination I’m confident we can reach most of our objectives in future.”

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