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AS Roma were linked with a number of players during the January transfer window, despite their sporting director Carlos Monchi insisting that they were not going to bring in new recruits this January.
The Giallorossi brought in one player during the winter window in Jonathan Silva, on-loan from Sporting Lisbon, following the departure of Emerson Palmieri to Chelsea.
They lost some key players last summer, with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Antonio Rüdiger moving on, while the additions Rick Karsdorp, Cengiz Under, Gregoire Defrel and Patrik Schick are still to meet their undoubted potential.
So who could they bring in next summer?
#1 Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)
Spanish winger Lucas Vazquez is another player linked with a move to the Stadio Olimpico in January. The 26-year-old, who has also been linked with Newcastle, has not been a regular in Real Madrid’s plans this season.
Marco Asensio and Isco will most likely be the first men called off the bench for Zidane, so Vázquez will not have the minutes he needs in order to secure a place in Spain’s 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.
Real Madrid should probably sell the player while there are clubs willing to offer big money for him, just like they did with José Callejon to Napoli back in 2013. That’s the best thing for Vazquez and also for the club.
So with Monchi impressed with the winger, Roma could look to swoop for the highly rated player.
#2 Lucas Torreira (Sampdoria)
The 21-year-old is a product of Pescara’s academy, going on to make 36 appearances for the first team. During his time in the senior team, he scored five goals and managed one assist.
After leaving Pescara at the end of the 2016 season, he only missed three league matches, featuring in 38 overall for Sampdoria. The defensive midfielder’s importance was obvious to Marco Giampaolo’s side through his continued presence.
The Uruguayan has been hot property this season and has scored three goals in 13 appearances. He would be a perfect addition to the Giallorossi’s engine room, with his deal with Sampdoria ending in June 2020.
The pass master was also linked with a move to Sevilla, when Roma’s Monchi tried to lure him to Andalusia back in 2015. Despite his €40 million clause in his contract, Roma could still look to prize him away this January.
#3 Dani Cabellos (Real Madrid)
Dani Ceballos is a player the Giallorossi have recently been linked with. The 21-year-old made the move to Los Blancos in the summer, following a £17.5million switch from Real Betis. Having failed to nail down a starting birth, Ceballos became a fringe player under Zinedine Zidane.
He has started just two La Liga games since his move, sparking rumours Di Francesco could sign him in the January window. Arsenal and Tottenham have also been keeping tabs on the midfielder and could reignite their interest.
Monchi is a huge admirer of the Spaniard, and the player is hoping to book a spot in Spain’s World Cup squad, but knows only regular first-team football can guarantee that. Therefore Roma believe the player may be open to leaving, and may tempt Madrid into a deal with a potential buyback clause.
#4 Arthur (Gremio)
Arthur, 21, has been a revelation this season in the Brazilian championship, helping his side to the conquest of the Copa Libertadores. A buyout clause of £50 million has been interested in his contract, but this won’t put of current suitors, Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid, who are keen to secure his signature.
As Brazilian clubs in general can’t match the financial power of European clubs, they have no option to sell the player sooner, rather than later.
He would be a perfect addition in the heart of the Roma midfield. The Giallorossi are desperate for some youthful additions to their squad and the attacking midfielder, who has been dubbed the Brazilian Andres Iniesta, would be a perfect option for the club.
Both Radja Nainggolan, 29, and 34-year-old Daniele De Rossi are not getting any younger, and Roma need to build for the future. By signing Arthur, he would take the burden off both, and give Di Francesco an extra option in midfield.
#5 Alberto Moreno (Liverpool)
The 25-year-old was previously a target for Napoli, who had seen an £11 million bid rejected by Liverpool.
Moreno could be surplus to requirements in the summer, following the form of Andrew Robertson, who has since made the Liverpool left-back berth his own.
A move would see the Spaniard link up with Roma's sporting director Monchi again, who Moreno knows from his time at Sevilla.
Liverpool has been linked with the "Messi of goalkeepers" in Allison Becker and the Reds may look to use Moreno as part of the deal which brings the 25-year-old Brazilian shot-stopper to Merseyside.
With Simon Mignolet looking set to depart in the summer, Jurgen Klopp would have to spend around £40 million to secure Becker's services.
