With the new week about to begin, it’s time for another roundup of all the latest Roma transfer gossip from the past seven days.
In this week’s edition of Giallorossi Gossip, there is talk of a huge swap operation between Roma and Fiorentina, as well as a list of alternatives to Chris Smalling if the Manchester United man cannot be signed permanently.
Here are the players linked with a move to Roma this week.
Cristiano Biraghi
Leonardo Spinazzola came close to leaving Roma in a swap deal in January, and rumours suggest he could be involved in another come the summer.
While in the winter, Spinazzola nearly switched places with a winger, when Matteo Politano nearly re-joined Roma from Inter Milan, this time, a swap with another full-back is suggested.
According to La Nazione, if Cristiano Biraghi returns to Fiorentina this summer after his loan to Inter, then the Viola could send him straight to Rome in order to lure Spinazzola the other way.
It would simply be an exchange of loans between the two left-backs, with Alessandro Florenzi also of interest to Fiorentina.
German Pezzella
If Florenzi is to head to Florence, then it could be as part of a second swap with the Viola. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport – who back up the Biraghi-Spinazzola links – Roma could get centre-back German Pezzella in return for Florenzi, in what would be a swap of captains.
Pezzella, 28, was one of the many names linked with Roma after the departure of Kostas Manolas last summer, before the Giallorossi pulled off the shrewd signing of Chris Smalling.
Elseid Hysaj
Embed from Getty ImagesOn the opposite flank of defence to Biraghi, Roma could finally get their hands on a long-term target in another swap deal. Just 12 months will remain on Elseid Hysaj’s Napoli contract when the summer arrives, and given that he will not extend his deal, he is set to be sold.
With Florenzi unlikely to return and neither Bruno Peres nor Davide Santon cementing themselves as a first-choice right-back, Roma could take advantage and finally bring Hysaj to the capital after years of links.
Corriere Dello Sport speculate that the formula could be another swap deal. Rick Karsdorp is of interest to Napoli, with Feyenoord not expected to redeem his loan. Therefore, the two full-backs could directly swap places.
Alternatively, Napoli are also considering a move for Cengiz Under as a long-term replacement for Jose Callejon on the right wing.
Given the swap between the two clubs for Amadou Diawara and Kostas Manolas last summer, another agreement is not impossible – but it remains to be seen which of the duo Roma would send south if they were to agree to the terms.
Jan Vertonghen
The noises around this rumour keep getting louder. With Jan Vertonghen’s contract at Tottenham Hotspur set to expire, Roma are considering a swoop for the soon-to-be free agent, as a potential replacement for Chris Smalling.
The on-loan Manchester United star has thoroughly impressed during his time in the capital, but Roma may not be able to afford him – leading to claims from the Daily Mail that Vertonghen is the number one alternative.
Reports in Italy suggest that Roma are to set a cap of €3m for their maximum salary for any new arrival, so it remains to be seen if that will be enough to convince the Belgian, who earns around double that at present.
Dejan Lovren
Gazzetta Dello Sport believe that Roma could try to extend Smalling’s loan for another year, but it would not be an easy operation – whereas the chance to sign Dejan Lovren from Liverpool would arguably be easier.
The Croatian has struggled for gametime this season and remains an option for Roma if Smalling cannot be redeemed.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Alternatively, the same report claims that Roma could make a move for Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos. His previous experience in Italy with Genoa and AC Milan makes him an interesting candidate.
Marcos Rojo
If Roma can’t get Smalling, then they may pursue another defender loaned out by Manchester United this season. Gazzetta list Marcos Rojo as another option after his loan at Estudiantes since January.
Lukas Klostermann
A final name touted by Gazzetta is RB Leipzig defender Lukas Klostermann. Also able to play as a full-back, the 23-year-old could come into the negotiations for Patrik Schick to make his move from Roma to Germany a permanent one.
Daniele Rugani
Embed from Getty ImagesElsewhere, Calciomercato believe that the opportunity to sign Daniele Rugani from Juventus has re-opened. The Italian defender is not a key player in Turin, and after Roma tried to sign him last summer, they could have another chance now – even though his price tag is as high as €25m.
Napoli, Arsenal and Zenit are all also interested.
Nicolas Nkoulou
Another previous defensive target Roma could go back in for is Nicolas Nkoulou. Again, it is Calciomercato making the claims, even though relations between the Giallorossi and Torino grew frosty when Roma tried to bring Nkoulou south last summer.
Viktor Kovalenko
One free agent Roma could target is Viktor Kovalenko, who would be reunited with Paulo Fonseca after their time together at Shakhtar Donetsk.
A midfielder, the 24-year-old is also set to be offered a deal by Besiktas, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik, but Roma are also interested – despite his agent denying contact.
Florinel Coman
Roma may also have to find a more cost-effective replacement for Henrikh Mkhitaryan when his loan expires, and one of the names on their radar, according to Antena 1 via Digi Sport, is Steaua Bucharest winger Florinel Coman.
The 22-year-old has provided 14 goals and 10 assists from the left wing this season, and could be ready for the next step in his career. However, there is a range of competition for his signature.
West Ham and Sheffield United would like to take him to England, as per Romanian outlet Telekom Sport, but Roma and Fiorentina have already made enquiries – and the Giallorossi are favourites.
The nearest rival, though, appears to be MLS side Orlando City, who have already tabled a €9m bid – with FCSB unlikely to accept an offer that low given the number of sides queuing up for him.
Giorgi Chakvetadze
Just signing one winger may not be enough, though, as Il Messaggero suggest that as well as Mkhitaryan, Cengiz Under and Diego Perotti could also leave Roma this summer.
As a reinforcement, it is suggested that the Giallorossi could swoop for a player they met in the Europa League this season – Gent attacking midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze.
The 20-year-old can play anywhere across the three attacking midfield positions, and has an impressive record of scoring five goals in just seven senior caps for Georgia.
Primarily deployed as a left winger, the one concern would be his injury struggles recently.
Agustin Urzi
Embed from Getty ImagesIt appears Gianluca Petrachi is pushing for youth as he searches for Roma’s next winger, and another name to re-appear is that of Agustin Urzi, who was linked with the club last summer.
Those links were not just gossip, as the Banfield star himself revealed earlier this week that Roma had presented an offer – along with Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Benfica and more.
According to Corriere Dello Sport, Roma are set to revive their interest in the 19-year-old, with Petrachi preparing a €15m bid.
That’s €5m less than Urzi’s release clause, but with Petrachi having tracked the player since he was Torino sporting director, Roma could push ahead.
Davide Frattesi
Roma are also looking to the future in their search for a new midfielder – and they are set to go after someone familiar.
Davide Frattesi came through the youth ranks at Roma before being sold to Sassuolo, who currently have him out on loan at Ascoli. Given how he has impressed there, Roma are considering activating a buyback option as part of a multiple deal, as per Corriere Giallorosso.
Gianluca Scamacca
As part of the same operation, Roma could bring back Gianluca Scamacca, a striker who also came through the academy before leaving for PSV in the Netherlands.
Scamacca, 21, has since returned to Italy with Sassuolo, and along with Frattesi is on loan at Ascoli, but Roma could bring him back to add long-term competition for Edin Dzeko.
As a makeweight, Sassuolo could get their hands on another Roma Primavera player, with Alessio Riccardi potentially the one with the most appeal.
Andrea Pinamonti
A different young striker Roma could target is Andrea Pinamonti, who is growing at Genoa. As mentioned above, Diego Perotti could be on the way out at Trigoria, with a return to Genoa one of his options.
Football Italia mention that Pinamonti could be offered to Roma in return.
Diego Costa
Embed from Getty ImagesA more experienced striker to bring in would be Diego Costa, who seems set for a third summer of links to Roma. Mundo Deportivo claim that he can leave Atletico Madrid, and Roma are set to fight Napoli and Chinese clubs for his signature.
Junior Firpo
In a separate report, Mundo Deportivo also provide an update on Roma’s pursuit of Barcelona left-back Junior Firpo. The Giallorossi are said to have made initial contacts with the La Liga champions over the chances of taking Junior from them – with Barca already lining up a replacement in the shape of Nicolas Tagliafico.
Sandro Tonali
To finish with an ambitious target, whom Roma’s interest in has not actually been confirmed.
Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali is one of Italian football’s hottest prospects and is attracting interest from a range of top clubs, but their president, the controversial former Leeds United chief Massimo Cellino, has suggested he would like to see the player end up in the south of the country.
“Tonali is a colder boy from the north. But inside, he is sentimental. That’s why, since I’m romantic, I would like to see him in Rome or Naples – but it will hardly happen, though,” Cellino told Tuttosport.
“We’ll see, it will depend on Tonali, he will be the one who chooses.
“However, I hope he remains in Italy and plays here.”
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