It’s time for another installment of Giallorossi Gossip – your weekly roundup of Roma transfer rumours, from the good, to the bad, and the ugly.
Roma’s priorities for the summer remain a striker to compete with Edin Dzeko, an attacking midfielder to replace Henrikh Mkhitaryan – unless he can extend his loan – and a defender to replace Chris Smalling if he cannot stay either.
This week, as many as 17 players have been linked with a move to Roma, with the central midfield position also under the spotlight.
Here is a summary of all those links – including how some have developed since last week’s update.
Moise Kean
Embed from Getty ImagesAccording to various sources, including Il Messaggero, Calciomercato and Football Italia, Roma could give Moise Kean the chance to return to Serie A after his move to Premier League side Everton did not work out.
Kean could be the replacement for Nikola Kalinic if the striker is not redeemed from Atletico Madrid, leaving a space in the squad to be Edin Dzeko’s deputy.
Kean’s youth would make him an exciting prospect to fill that void, while his strong relationship with Nicolo Zaniolo may help persuade him to make the move.
However, Everton want to recoup the €28m they paid Juventus for his signature, which may be difficult for Roma to afford up front. Instead, the Giallorossi would like a loan with an option or obligation to buy next summer.
Giacomo Bonaventura
A player whose name will likely continue to crop up in these columns over the next few weeks, Bonaventura is being linked with a move to Roma when his contract at AC Milan expires.
According to Calciomercato, Roma are the most serious rival to Torino, who have offered the midfielder a three-year contract – but will also have to beat off competition from Lazio, Napoli, Atalanta and Fiorentina.
Steven Berghuis
Embed from Getty ImagesKean and Bonaventura are both represented by Mino Raiola, who could orchestrate several deals with Roma this summer. Another of his clients linked with La Magica is Feyenoord winger Steven Berghuis – according to Calciomercato.
The 28-year-old has been prolific in the Eredivisie this season and could be ready for one last chance to prove himself outside of Holland – after a forgettable spell with Watford in 2015-16.
Ryan Gravenberch
The same report mentions Ajax starlet Ryan Gravenberch – also represented by Raiola – as a potential investment for Roma. The youngster was mentioned in last week’s Giallorossi Gossip, and could be someone whom Roma continue to monitor as he develops.
Daniel Nachev
Another youngster Roma are keeping tabs on is Levski Sofia’s Daniel Nachev. The 16-year-old midfielder – who appears to have fascinating hair if this image is anything to go by – is also wanted by Rangers and Genoa, according to Bulgarian outfit Sportlive.
Rolando Mandragora
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s set to be a market of swap deals in the summer, and various outlets are suggesting all kinds of potential part-exchanges. One that could involve Roma, as reported by Calciomercato, would see Bryan Cristante move to Juventus, with Rolando Mandragora coming to the capital in return.
Mandragora is currently at Udinese, but Juventus retain a buyback clause worth €20m, which they could exercise before sending him to Rome. However, Paulo Fonseca has always praised Cristante, so would not be eager to lose him.
Thomas Partey
An alternative, more ambitious midfield target is Thomas Partey. According to Mundo Deportivo, Roma are among the clubs interested in the Atletico Madrid midfielder if he does not sign a contract extension.
However, the Ghana international is still under contract until 2023, and has a €50m release clause that Atletico want to double. Besides, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Arsenal are all also interested – so how realistic it would be for Roma to sign Thomas is questionable.
Florian Thauvin
One of Roma’s main priorities this summer is to sign a left winger in case Henrikh Mkhitaryan cannot stay after his loan from Arsenal. With the Gunners maintaining a high valuation of the Armenian, Roma may have to look at cheaper options.
According to L’Equipe, one of the players the Giallorossi are monitoring is Marseille winger Florian Thauvin. With his contract running out next summer, the French club may have to sell him at a discounted price in the next few months.
The one concern for Roma, though, would be his injury history – the very thing that may be dissuading them from a permanent Mkhitaryan deal as well. Thauvin has suffered with an ankle problem this season, meaning he has made just two appearances.
Jesus Corona
As Roma continue their search for a winger, another name that has emerged as a target is Porto’s Jesus Corona. The Mexico international has recorded an impressive 17 assists this season, and according to A Bola in Portugal, that form has put him on the radar of several big clubs.
Roma will compete with Inter Milan to take him to Italy, but will also have to beat off Sevilla, Everton, West Ham, Schalke and Valencia.
Federico Bernardeschi
Another alternative out wide would be Federico Bernardeschi, who is set to leave Juventus this summer. According to Calciomercato Report, Roma made enquiries for the Italian in January and could return in June.
#Bernardeschi non è più intoccabile alla #Juventus: dopo un primo sondaggio invernale, la #Roma non lo molla e ci pensa per l’estate #calciomercato @CalciomercatoRP @CheccoCasano
— Attilio Malena (@AttilioMalena) April 8, 2020
Pedro
Perhaps the most economical option for Roma would be to sign a free agent – which former Barcelona star Pedro will be in the summer. Set to leave Chelsea and already linked with the Giallorossi, The Mirror add that Roma have tabled a €3m-per-year contract in an effort to beat MLS clubs to Pedro’s signature.
Willian
Embed from Getty ImagesCorriere Dello Sport contend that Roma’s biggest objective, though, is Pedro’s current teammate Willian. Also out of contract this summer, the Brazilian wants to match Edin Dzeko as the club’s highest earner if he joins, but he is said to favour Roma to other destinations in Italy.
Chris Smalling
Of course, several of these wing targets are mentioned as alternatives to the permanence of Mkhitaryan, and Roma will also have to think about whether or not they can keep fellow loanee Chris Smalling.
The Englishman has seriously impressed – almost too much for Roma to be able to afford him from Manchester United – but the highly respected Filippo Biafora of Il Tempo says that Smalling still wants to remain in Rome.
The only other alternative he is considering is a return to Man Utd, rather than a cross-Premier League switch to Tottenham or Everton. However, Gianluca Petrachi is hoping that Smalling’s market value may reduce as a result of the coronavirus crisis, to somewhere closer to €15m – which Roma would be able to afford.
Jan Vertonghen
Should Roma not be able to redeem Smalling, they may enter the free market for Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen. It would be a high-profile addition, but Gazzetta Dello Sport provide the update that even though Roma and Napoli are still monitoring the situation, Inter are in pole position for now.
Shon Weissman
Embed from Getty ImagesA final priority for Roma is to secure the signing of a reliable backup to Edin Dzeko – and they could turn to someone they came up against in this season’s Europa League.
According to Corriere Dello Sport, Roma are interested in Wolfsberger striker Shon Weissman. The Israel international, aged 24, has scored a remarkable 29 goals in 30 appearances this season – including one against Roma in the final Europa League group match. Despite this prolific record, Weissman is said to be an affordable target, who appeals to Gianluca Petrachi.
Jan Hurtado
Alternatively, Roma were linked with Boca Juniors starlet Jan Hurtado by Il Messaggero. At 20 years old, he would be an investment for the future – but the player’s agent has since revealed that he has no offers from the club and wants to stay in Argentina, despite confessing his good relationship with Roma legend Daniele De Rossi.
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