Schalke and Sunderland are focusing in on Cagliari defender Davide Astori after Roma opted not to make his loan switch permanent.
Astori has been on loan with the Giallorossi and managed 30 appearances in all competitions for a side that finished as runners-up to Juventus in Serie A last term.
But Astori did not do enough for Roma to keep him permanently and is heading back to Cagliari.
However, his return to Cagliari could be a brief one as, according to Italian broadcaster Sky Italia, both Schalke and Sunderland are interested in the 28-year-old.
Cagliari were relegated from Serie A last season, with a defence which shipped 68 goals in 38 games a key culprit.
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Astori could reinforce the club's backline, but with Schalke and Sunderland preparing to knock at the door, it appears unlikely the Italy international will turn out in Italy's second tier.
In total Astori has made 179 appearances for Cagliari, while he has ten caps to his name for Italy.
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