While there may be no Serie A action at present, it’s been a busy week for transfer columnists – with all manner of names being linked with Roma.
The club will have some big decisions to make in the summer, mainly surrounding whether to buy out on-loan stars Chris Smalling or Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
But centre-back and attacking midfield are not the only positions Roma could be looking to revamp – and consequently, this week brought dozens of rumours.
Here are 27 transfer links that arose this week.
Mario Gotze
Embed from Getty ImagesIf Roma are unable to afford a permanent deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, despite the player pushing to extend his stay in the Italian capital, then they will need to find another attacking midfielder to replace his output.
And while the funds may not be there to land Mkhitaryan, there would be no need to negotiate a fee for Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze.
The German international is out of contract at the end of the season, and Bild claim that he would be open to a move to Italy, with Roma beginning to make contact.
Still only 27, the scorer of the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup Final may be a worthwhile addition – but his injury history in recent seasons, and his €8m salary, may persuade Roma otherwise.
Junior Firpo
Another area Roma may be looking to strengthen is at left-back. Aleksandar Kolarov is approaching the final years of his career, while Leonardo Spinazzola has been used more often on the right by Paulo Fonseca.
According to Catalan publication Sport, Barcelona would be willing to let Junior Firpo leave this summer for less than €20m. They only bought him last summer, but the life of being a back-up at Camp Nou is not as glamorous as many players expect when they make the move.
Roma are believed to be in the hunt for the former Spain Under-21 international. Firpo could also be offered to Inter Milan, though, as Barcelona look to sign Lautaro Martinez.
Tiquinho
While Roma ponder over the possible permanence of Mkhitaryan and Smalling, one loan they are unlikely to buy out is that of Nikola Kalinic, who took until March to score his first two goals for Roma.
Therefore, the club may be on the lookout for a new back-up to Edin Dzeko, and according to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Paulo Fonseca has been studying Porto forward Tiquinho.
Tiquinho, 29, scored against Roma in last season’s Champions League, and would be available for somewhere between €12m and €15m.
Andrea Pinamonti
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother name that refuses to go away from the gossip columns is that of Andrea Pinamonti. The young striker continues to establish himself at Genoa, and having been linked with Roma for a while, Il Tempo claim that the Giallorossi are already planning to negotiate.
Diego Perotti could be offered back to his former club as a counterpart, but Roma would also need to wait for the approval of Inter Milan, who retain first refusal on their academy product.
Mykhailo Mudryk
One of several Shakhtar Donetsk players to be linked with Roma – Paulo Fonseca is yet to bring any member of his old squad to the club – Mudryk has fuelled speculation himself by discussing his relationship with the current Giallorossi boss.
A 19-year-old winger who made his debut under Fonseca last season, Mudryk said he would let his agent deal with news of Roma’s interest – while Atalanta are also reportedly in the race.
Tete
A second Shakhtar youngster who could be reunited with his old boss is 20-year-old Tete. Used as an attacking midfielder at times, Il Messaggero list him as one of the several Shakhtar players who Fonseca could return for.
Marcos Antonio
Gazzetta Dello Sport also present Marcos Antonio as an option. A central midfielder, the youngster was linked with Roma last summer, and now those rumours have been revived.
With so many Shakhtar players linked and Fonseca yet to sign any, it remains to be seen if this is all guesswork or there is a genuine interest.
Viktor Kovalenko
Should Fonseca want to be reunited with a more experienced Shakhtar player, he may wish to look at Viktor Kovalenko. A 24-year-old midfielder who has spent his whole career with the Ukrainian club, Kovalenko is named as an option alongside Antonio and Tete by Gazzetta Dello Sport.
Stephan El Shaarawy
Embed from Getty ImagesRather than chasing Fonseca’s old players, Roma may return for someone who used to play for themselves. Stephan El Shaarawy seems keen on a return to Italy, and given the success he enjoyed at Roma between 2016 and 2020, the capital seems the obvious choice.
Corriere Dello Sport back up the claims by saying El Shaarawy has told friends he expects to leave Shanghai Shenhua, and would be most open to a return to Roma. He would have to lower his salary to do so, but like Mkhitaryan, it appears he would be willing to.
Willian
Alternatively, Roma may enter the free market for a new winger. Talks between Chelsea and Willian – himself a former Shakhtar player, but before Fonseca’s time there – have hit an impasse, with the Brazilian wanting a three-year contract and the Blues only offering two.
A range of clubs are ready to pounce when his deal expires this summer, with Roma among those to be suggested by Il Messaggero. Willian is said to be warmer to the idea of Roma than Juventus or Inter, but his wages may block the deal – coupled with the fact he is keen to stay in the Premier League.
Pedro
Embed from Getty ImagesHence, Roma have also been linked with his fellow Chelsea winger, Pedro – also out of contract in June. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Roma saw a loan offer rejected for him in January, but could now return when his deal at Stamford Bridge expires.
The Lupi face competition from Al Sadd, coached by Pedro’s ex-Barcelona teammate Xavi and with financial weight – so they would have to find a way to negotiate a better deal.
Pepe
Another forward linked with Roma, but towards the younger end of the age spectrum, is Gremio’s Pepe. Aged 23, he has spent his whole career so far in Brazil, but Globoesporte believe he is in line for his first European adventure.
That could be with Roma, but they would have to beat off Bayern Munich, who have already contacted Gremio, and PSV, who have made a €15m offer.
Dejan Lovren
So far, there has been a lot of talk of who may replace Mkhitaryan if Roma cannot afford the attacker. But what if Smalling doesn’t stay either?
One of the many centre-backs linked to Roma before Smalling was brought in last summer was Dejan Lovren. His situation at Liverpool has not improved, and Roma could be tempted to go back in for him.
Corriere Dello Sport point to Lovren’s contract expiring in 2021 as one reason why Roma may be able to get him for cheaper than the price Liverpool were demanding last summer.
Walter Kanneman
Alternatively, there may be an opportunity for someone who has never played in Europe before – Argentina centre-back Walter Kanneman.
Currently with Gremio in Brazil, the 29-year-old is on Gianluca Petrachi’s shortlist of defensive reinforcements, according to Leggo.
Jan Vertonghen
Embed from Getty ImagesPerhaps the most ambitious idea for a new centre-back was proposed by Calciomercato, with the claim that Roma could look to sign Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen as a free agent.
Several clubs are likely to be interested in the Belgian, with Inter Milan having been previously linked.
Giacomo Bonaventura
The same report points to AC Milan midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura as another player Roma could sign for nothing when his contract expires in June. Now 30 years old, he has seen the last couple of years of his career disrupted by injury, requiring knee surgery at the back end of 2018.
Dries Mertens
One of the more ambitious free agent targets still linked with the Lupi is Dries Mertens. The Napoli forward will probably extend his stay at the Stadio San Paolo, but Corriere Dello Sport claim that Roma remain faintly hopeful of luring him away.
Jose Palomino
The same report has three other names for Roma’s centre-back search – adding that Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus are likely to leave. Atalanta defender Jose Palomino is out of contract next summer and may be a cost-effective option. At 30 years old, he has plenty of experience.
Benjamin Stambouli
Alternatively, Roma could target soon-to-be free agent Benjamin Stambouli. Again, at 29, the Schalke player, who can also feature as a midfielder, has enough experience.
Japhet Tanganga
The third and final defender linked by Corriere Dello Sport is Tottenham youngster Japhet Tanganga. Admired by Jose Mourinho, the youngster has emerged into the first team this season, but the 21-year-old is yet to agree an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season. He can also play as a full-back.
Robin Gosens
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the most in-demand names in Italian football, Atalanta left-back Robin Gosens has been linked with several clubs recently. Given the Giallorossi’s aforementioned need for depth at left-back, Roma are one of those suggested.
Corriere Dello Sport report that Roma have him in mind to replace Kolarov, with the latter being tracked by Bologna. However, reports elsewhere have suggested that Juventus, Inter Milan and Chelsea are all in the hunt.
David Ruiz Montero
Alternatively, Roma may push for someone cheaper, with teenage Valencia wing-back David Ruiz Montero an option. Also able to play as a left winger, Calciomercato link Montero with a move to the Stadio Olimpico.
Carlos Augusto
Another young left-back among those rumoured to be of interest is 21-year-old Corinthians player Carlos Augusto. Corriere Dello Sport say he and Montero are two of the options as Roma look for a long-term Kolarov successor.
Davide Frattesi
Embed from Getty ImagesEl Shaarawy is not the only former Roma player linked with a return, as the club continue to track former academy midfielder Davide Frattesi. On loan at Empoli from Sassuolo, the 20-year-old commented this week that his dream is to come back to his boyhood club.
Roma may choose to activate his buyback clause, as noted by Corriere Dello Sport.
Ryan Gravenberch
The same newspaper mentions that Ajax starlet Ryan Gravenberch could also be added. Having impressed against Italy in the Euro U17 final last summer, he has gone on to receive some opportunities with Ajax, and despite only being 17, he may be one to keep an eye on.
Bernard
A rumour that came and disappeared quickly this week, Fonseca was linked with yet another of his former Shakhtar pupils when Calciomercato suggested that Everton would let Bernard leave for €18m.
The winger has since declared his desire to stay at Goodison Park, rather than replacing Mkhitaryan at Roma.
Diego Costa
Embed from Getty ImagesFinally, arguably the biggest name to be linked with Roma this week – Diego Costa. As Roma continue their search for a striker to support Dzeko, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claimed that Atletico Madrid firebrand Costa was admired at the Olimpico.
Costa was linked with Roma in 2018 and as far back as 2013, so would he finally be able to complete the move, or would it be a touch too ambitious for La Magica?
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