Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham took a path less travelled when joining Roma in 2019 and 2021 respectively, but who will be the next Englishman to go down a similar route and come to the club?
Roma already have a couple of English players among their ranks, but every now and then, another option of the same nationality is linked with a transfer to the club.
As one of the only websites about Roma from these shores, Giallorossi Yorkshire will be keeping track of the English players to be linked with Roma for the summer 2023 transfer window.
Of course, not all of them will be able to join, but with the FIGC announcing on 26th July that UK players will no longer take up non-EU slots in the squad, there could theoretically be the scope for multiple English additions.
Thus, it will be interesting to follow who might be on the agenda. This page will be updated in time with any new information, so keep visiting back if you’re curious.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Embed from Getty ImagesAn English player who is already actively experiencing football abroad, Jarrad Branthwaite is currently on loan at PSV Eindhoven from Everton – and his performances in the Eredivisie have generated plenty of attention.
Everton would be willing to offer the left-footed centre-back a route back into their first team, but Roma are reportedly among the cluster of clubs eager to present an alternative opportunity.
As far back as December, the Daily Mail linked Branthwaite with Roma, and the tabloid suggested a couple of months after that the interest is still intact. By February, Leggo was echoing that the club had sent scouts to watch him in the Netherlands.
Things have gone a bit quiet on the Branthwaite front since, but he might still be one to keep an eye on, especially if his parent club suffer relegation from the Premier League.
James Justin
Embed from Getty ImagesClaims in April arose about a meeting between Roma and Jonathan Barnett’s CAA Stellar agency in which one of their clients came up in conversation: James Justin.
The right-back is currently at risk of relegation from the Premier League with Leicester City, which would lead to him potentially looking for a new club.
According to Calciomercato, he has become a suggestion for Roma to reinforce further at right-back after a turbulent season for Rick Karsdorp and doubts about the impact of 2022 signing, Zeki Celik.
Given that Justin has been dealing with a serious injury this season, it has been claimed that Roma would prefer a loan deal for him with an option to buy for around €20m.
Now 25 years old, Justin started both legs of the Europa Conference League semi-final between Roma and Leicester in 2022 on the left-hand side of defence, despite favouring his other foot. In theory, he could provide cover in two roles if he was to become a Roma player.
Max Aarons
After Norwich City failed to bounce back up to the Premier League, it looks like time for Max Aarons to leave them.
The right-back has been linked with Roma before, most notably back in 2021, but a report from Calciomercato in April suggested he remains on the club’s radar.
As stated above, neither Karsdorp nor Celik have convinced in his position this season, which might make Aarons an appealing target again.
The fact that the 23-year-old’s contract is about to enter its final year might play into Roma’s hands. Furthermore, and interestingly, Francesco Totti’s agency is said to represent him in Italy.
Harry Maguire
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen Man Utd signed Harry Maguire in 2019, it effectively pushed Smalling to Roma. They have endured differing fortunes since then, though, and after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford, Sheffield-born Maguire could now be on the market.
A speculative report from Give Me Sport in May has suggested Roma could become contenders for the Man Utd captain, who might even be available on loan in the summer.
His chances of becoming the first Yorkshireman to play for the Giallorossi, though, would seem slim due to his wage demands and the amount of other suitors in Serie A for his signature, such as Juventus and the two Milan clubs.
Jacob Greaves
Embed from Getty ImagesRoma’s collaboration with Hull City could prompt some movement of players between the two clubs. The first specific suggestion has come via Hull Live, which has reported that Mourinho is an admirer of Tigers defender Jacob Greaves.
The 22-year-old was born in East Yorkshire and has become a key player for the Championship side.
That said, they could cash in on him because of their own Financial Fair Play concerns. Although Roma are well-stocked at centre-back, especially after renewing the loan deal for Diego Llorente from Leeds, Greaves could become the club’s first Yorkshire-born player.
For now, though, there has been no bid.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Abraham out injured for the most of next season and Andrea Belotti struggling for form, Roma have been searching for a new striker this summer.
As an alternative to main targets Alvaro Morata and Gianluca Scamacca, Corriere Dello Sport revealed on 26th July that they have been offered the chance to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Everton.
There may even be a willingness on Everton’s part to accept an initial loan deal if it was to contain an option to buy, which could play into Roma’s hands.
Born in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield, Calvert-Lewin has 11 England caps to his name.
Trevoh Chalobah
A player who has been linked with Roma on and off in the past, Trevoh Chalobah could be up for sale by Chelsea this summer.
The centre-back, who once had a loan spell in West Yorkshire with Huddersfield Town, has previously hinted he would be open to playing abroad. Recently, TEAMtalk included Roma within a list of his admirers.
The report claimed Chelsea may be open to loaning him out with an option to buy, although there is a range of competition for the Sierra-Leone-born former England youth international.
Ruled out
Reiss Nelson
Embed from Getty ImagesRoma have developed a habit for signing players on free transfers over the past year or so. In 2022, the likes of Paulo Dybala, Nemanja Matic and Andrea Belotti arrived as free agents.
Another whom they may have had their eyes on for 2023 is Reiss Nelson. An extension at the Emirates Stadium was in doubt given his relative lack of gametime.
In mid-April, Tuttomercatoweb claimed Roma had joined his long list of suitors, which also included Atalanta and others, by making contact with his representatives.
The winger was on loan at Feyenoord in the 2021-22 season, starting the Europa Conference League final against Roma. It was the second spell abroad of his career after a previous loan at Hoffenheim, so perhaps he could have entertained the idea of another – although Roma wouldn’t be the only club considering giving him that opportunity.
Alas, in early July it was announced that he had agreed a new contract with Arsenal after all.
Mason Greenwood
One of the more controversial players Roma were linked with, Mason Greenwood is currently suspended by Manchester United after the criminal charges brought against him in January 2022 were discontinued, with an investigation by his current employers still ongoing.
The forward now wants to rebuild his career but may face backlash in the process, so has been tipped to leave English football behind him. In a report focusing on interest from Juventus, The Sun mentioned Roma as another possible destination (as well as AC Milan).
Greenwood was an academy player at Man Utd when Mourinho was in charge there, but had to wait until later for his senior debut.
The Sun insisted Roma could be a taker when reporting of a phone call between Mourinho and Greenwood in an update in early July, but it prompted a quick denial from the club.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Embed from Getty ImagesA player given his senior debut by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek was linked with Roma as the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge approached.
Roma still needed to strengthen their own midfield at the time, which led to a revival of links with Loftus-Cheek – who was a member of England’s World Cup squad in 2018 but hasn’t played for his country since that year – among an abundance of other suggestions. In March, British outlet Football Insider named La Magica as an interested suitor for the 27-year-old, also referring to potential competition from AC Milan.
Ultimately, Milan won the race to take him to Italy, completing his signing in early July.
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