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 ahead of the summer 2023 transfer window.
Of course, not all of them will be able to join due to English players taking up non-EU slots in the squad, but it will be interesting nevertheless 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.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Embed from Getty ImagesA player given his senior debut by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still on the books at Stamford Bridge, but is approaching the final year of his contract there and looks likely to be sold.
Roma still need to strengthen their own midfield, which has led to a revival of links with Loftus-Cheek. 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, which seemingly remains.
Various outlets have suggested that the asking price for Loftus-Cheek, who was a member of England’s World Cup squad in 2018 but hasn’t played for his country since that year, would be around €25m.
Roma will likely be linked with an abundance of midfielders again this year, so it remains to be seen how concrete any interest in Loftus-Cheek actually is.
James Justin
Embed from Getty ImagesLoftus-Cheek is represented by Jonathan Barnett’s CAA Stellar agency, and claims in April arose about a meeting between Roma and those representatives in which another 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.
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 their eyes on for 2023 is Reiss Nelson, who is nearing the end of his contract at Arsenal. An extension at the Emirates Stadium wouldn’t be impossible, but might not be the top of his priorities given his relative lack of gametime.
In mid-April, Tuttomercatoweb claimed Roma have joined his long list of suitors, which also includes 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 entertain the idea of another – although Roma wouldn’t be the only club considering giving him that opportunity.
Besides, updates since have indicated he is close to agreeing a new contract with Arsenal after all.
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.
Mason Greenwood
One of the more controversial players Roma might be looking at, 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 has 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. Juventus seem to be the more serious suitors for him, though, judging by the most recent information.
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.
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