Every Sunday, Giallorossi Gossip provides you with all the latest Roma transfer news from the week gone by.
Today’s edition is more bitesize, focusing on five of the biggest Roma rumours to emerge in the last seven days.
There is talk of a fresh attempt at signing an old attacking target, while Roma are also said to have entered the race for a Barcelona defender.
Here are this week’s five biggest Roma rumours.
Alexis Sanchez
Roma will have to find replacements for deputy striker Nikola Kalinic and attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan this summer, when the duo’s loans expire. Hope remains that Mkhitaryan can be redeemed, but if not, Roma will have to look elsewhere.
A signing that could cover both areas in just one move would be Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international can play either as a winger or a centre-forward, but his loan spell at Inter Milan this season has not taken off due to injuries.
Roma were in fact linked with Sanchez at the start of the season, and communications with his parent club Manchester United are already open given that they are negotiating over the future of Chris Smalling. Given those good relations, Sky Sport claim that Roma are now re-considering another attempt at Sanchez.
The 31-year-old would have to arrive on loan, while his high salary would be a potential issue.
Pietro Pellegri
A cheaper strike target, but someone with far less experience, would be Pietro Pellegri. The Italian youth international burst onto the scene at the age of 15, and scored aged 16 for Genoa against Roma in Francesco Totti’s last game for the club.
In 2018, Pellegri moved to Monaco to continue his development, but he has barely found space with the Ligue 1 club and could return to his home country.
According to Calciomercato Report, Roma are in talks to bring the 19-year-old back to Italy.
La #Roma tratta il ritorno di #Pellegri in Italia, contatti avviati #calciomercato @CheccoCasano @CheccoCasano
— Attilio Malena (@AttilioMalena) May 1, 2020
Jean-Clair Todibo
Roma are also looking to the future in their search for defensive reinforcements. While the club will be eager to sign Chris Smalling permanently, there are doubts over the futures of Juan Jesus and Federico Fazio, meaning a younger reinforcement could be signed.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Giallorossi are interested in Barcelona centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo. The La Liga giants are willing to listen to offers for the 20-year-old and the report points to the winter negotiation for Carles Perez as a sign that they are open to doing business with Roma.
They had been hoping for €25m before the coronavirus pandemic affected market values, but will need to raise funds, so could accept a lower offer.
Roma, who were said to be interested last summer as well, could battle AC Milan, Watford, Everton and others for his signature.
The Giallorossi have also been linked with another Barcelona player in left-back Junior Firpo (once again by Mundo Deportivo), but it is said that he does not want to leave the Catalan club.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
In the opposite full-back position to Firpo, Roma have been credited with an interest in Bologna and Japan right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu. The 21-year-old is currently in his first season in Serie A, and appeals because he could also play as a centre-back in a back three, a formation that Paulo Fonseca is considering.
According to Il Romanista, Pagine Romaniste and Il Tempo, he could be the main objective if Roma need to replace Alessandro Florenzi this summer. Bologna have warned that Tomisayu will not be sold on the cheap, with the asking price estimated at around €15m. However, with a salary less than €1m, Roma are confident they can find an agreement with the player.
Pedro
To conclude this week’s Giallorossi Gossip is a rumour that has existed for a few weeks, but really accelerated recently. Roma are firmly in the hunt for Chelsea winger Pedro, who will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Although there is much competition for the former Barcelona star, Corriere Dello Sport have revealed that Pedro is willing to wait until the end of May for an offer from Roma, a destination he seems to be open to.
#Pedro - in scadenza di contratto - ha dato disponibilità ad aspettare la Roma fino alla fine di maggio, quando Petrachi avrà qualche certezza in più su come operare in questo turbolento calciomercato. #ASRoma #Chelsea @CorSport pic.twitter.com/QObIRoqxQ4
— Jacopo Aliprandi (@AliprandiJacopo) May 1, 2020
The 32-year-old has admitted that he could yet renew at Chelsea, but with talks yet to commence, he is open to offers from elsewhere – potentially giving Roma their opportunity to swoop in and bolster the wings. A €3m salary offer is already said to have been tabled by the Giallorossi.
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