Anglo-Italian relations further strained as United snatch 'new Totti' from Roma

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Never one to dwell on missed transfer targets, Sir Alex Ferguson followed the disappointment of losing out on 17-year-old Welsh wonderkid Aaron Ramsey by snapping up 16-year-old Davide Petrucci.

Highly-rated Italy under 17 international Petrucci scored 14 goals in 19 matches last season and was top scorer in Roma's youth team.

Francesco Totti first appeared for Roma as a 16-year-old - but Petrucci will not be following in his footsteps

According to the Daily Telegraph, United will pay Petrucci £95,000 a year - the maximum available to a youth team player - as well as the cost to regular flights home to his native Italy.

With Roma set to receive £200,000 in compensation, the move has caused ire, with little love lost between the two sides thanks to fiery encounters in the Champions League in the past two seasons.

"It is a nightmare," said Il Romanista, a newspaper dedicated to Roma.

"Manchester United have dealt us another low blow, stealing Petrucci from under our noses, probably the best product of our youth system. In three to four years, he will be worth 100 times as much."

Petrucci, who hails from the San Basilio suburb of Rome, has been compared to a young Francesco Totti - and was earmarked for a first team debut next season

Yet with i lupi offering him the basic youth-team deal of £16,000 a year, Petrucci was said to be angered that he had not yet appeared for the first team.

Despite a history of developing fine youth players - among them Totti and Italian internationals Daniele Di Rossi and Alberto Aquilani - Roma were unwilling to improve Petrucci's terms as it could upset fellow youngsters who were signed on similar terms.

Also, Roma's hands were tied, as Italian rules dictate it is not permitted to offer a professional contract to under 17's, with Petrucci's birthday falling in October.