Roma to launch sensational loan swoop for Manchester duo Tevez and Ferdinand

Italian side Roma have emerged as the shock candidates to take Man City rebel Carlos Tevez on loan... and they want Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, too.

The Serie A giants to expected to launch sensational loan bids for the Manchester-based pair in January, as they look to kick-start a stuttering campaign under new manager Luis Enrique.

The American-backed club from the capital are currently seventh in the league and failed to get past Europa League qualification, despite heavy investment in the summer.

Tough times: Carlos Tevez and Rio Ferdinand are wanted on loan by Roma

And now they hope their ambitious project will be enough to lure two of the Premier League's biggest names to Italy.

Ferdinand is believed to be the most likely to make the switch, and reports in Italy suggest that England general manager Franco Baldini, who has an executive role within the Giallorossi, will use his relationship with the Manchester United defender to engineer a move.

The former Three Lions captain has seen his stock plummet this season as a result of a series of injuries, and he was left out of Fabio Capello's most recent England squad.

Ferdinand has also seen his club place threatened by upcoming youngsters Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.

Investment: Italian side Roma are owned by a wealthy American businessman

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Tevez, meanwhile, is all but out of the Manchester City door having been forced to train on his own since last month following an incident at Bayern Munich in the Champions League where he was accused of refusing to come on as a substitute.

He was recently fined four-weeks wages as a result and has been trying to force a move back to South America, where Corinthians lead the race for his signature despite recently admitting they were only prepared to offer £16million.

It is believed that Tevez, who earns around £250,000-a-week at the Ethiad Stadium, would consider a switch to Italy as the culture and climate are a more familiar surroundings for his young family.