Indian Super League: Former Chelsea and Juventus Striker Set to Sign For Pune City

Former Chelsea and Juventus striker Adrian Mutu is reportedly on the verge of completing a switch to Indian Super League outfit FC Pune City.

The 35-year-old striker, who is currently playing for Romanian side Petrolul Ploiești, is believed to have been in talks with several teams in the Indian Super League.

Earlier, there were reports of the striker joining Chennaiyin FC, but the Chennai franchise technical advisor Prashant Agarwal confirmed that his side will not be signing the former Inter Milan striker.

"I can categorically state that we are not in touch with Mutu for the Chennai team," Agarwal told Goal.

And now, according to Sky Sports, the Romanian striker has reportedly opted to join FC Pune City due to the club's tie up with his former side Fiorentina, where he spent five seasons (2006-2011).

Mutu, who started his playing career with Romanian side Argeș Pitești, caught the eye of Chelsea following his impressive performances at Serie A side Parma.

The striker completed a £15.8 million move to Chelsea in the summer of 2003, but his time at Stamford Bridge was cut short after he failed a doping test. The Romanian was released by the Blues on 29 October 2004 after he tested positive for cocaine.

After being let go by Chelsea, Mutu joined Juventus on a five-year contract in January 2005, but the Serie A giants were forced to sell the striker to Fiorentina for €8 million following their relegation in the 2005/06 season (despite being the Serie A champions) after being found guilty of match fixing.

At Fiorentina, the striker enjoyed the best phase of his career, scoring 46 goals in 94 Serie A appearances in his first three seasons. On 29 January 2010, Mutu again tested positive for cocaine, and he was handed a nine-match ban (later reduced to six games).

Following a turbulent last couple of seasons at Fiorentina, the striker had some short spells with Cesena and Ajaccio before he finally signed with Romanian side Petrolul Ploiești in 2014.

At the international level Mutu is the joint highest scorer (with former Real Madrid and Barcelona defender Gheorge Hagi) for Romania with 35 goals in 77 appearances.