Roma are in the midst of a crisis, according to their fans and the club themselves. On the pitch, the Giallorossi have crashed out of the Coppa Italia and seem to be in free fall in Serie A. Roma have managed a point from their last three competitive games, which has seen them fall out of the Champions League spots into fifth. Their title chances are all but over, after falling 12 points behind league leaders Napoli.
Off the pitch, there are also problems. Roma’s board and sporting director Monchi are under increasing pressure to improve, especially after spending over €80m in the summer in a squad revamp. The club have stated that they now have no additional funds to keep adding to their squad.
Players have also made the headlines for all the wrong reasons, with behind the scenes disciplinary problems arising involving Roma’s biggest stars.
With so many problems in Rome, the club may be forced towards one solution: sell. Bad performances and the need for some funds may mean that Roma may struggle to keep hold of their biggest assets during the January transfer window.
Here are seven stars Roma could be forced to sell in January and where they could possibly end up…
7. Bruno Peres
Possible suitors: Benfica, Galatasaray
Right-back Bruno Peres has struggled to hold down a starting place in Rome under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. As one of the club’s poor performers this season, Peres could be one of the first out of the door in January.
Noted for his quick pace and dribbling skills, Benfica look to be leading the race to sign Peres. Rumours have circulated that club president James Pallotta always had reservations about signing Peres, and could be keen to get the right-back off of Roma’s books. Turkish club Galatasaray are also in the race for the defender.
6. Kostas Manolas
Possible suitors: Chelsea, AC Milan
Arsenal’s defensive problems have been well documented this season, but they could well be strengthened by bringing in highly-rated central defender Konstas Manolas.
Manolas has been described as one of the most reliable defenders in Serie A. The Greek centre-back signed a new deal at Roma in December, which includes a £32.5m release clause. A reasonable figure considering the modern transfer market.
Chelsea are also reportedly keen on the defender, but should Manolas stay in Italy he could be a welcome addition to a club like Milan who have been weak defensively this season.
5. Lorenzo Pellegrini
Possible suitors: Manchester United, Manchester City
A player Roma would be sorry to see go is promising young midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini. The 21-year-old was one of Roma’s signings last summer after the club exercised their buy-back-clause on the player’s move to Sassuolo.
Pellegrini has already attracted a lot of attention this season after some impressive performances. Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea have all been said to be monitoring the midfielder, who is credited for his strong passing ability and ball interceptions.
The young midfielder reportedly has a release clause of £22.1m, which may make it difficult for Roma to keep their promising starlet should a big club come knocking.
4. Emerson Palmieri
Possible suitors: Liverpool, Juventus
The £22m-rated left-back from Brazil has already attracted some big names in recent months. Palmieri, who now represents Italy, impressed during his first season at Roma but was sidelined towards the end of last season with a knee ligament injury.
With his replacement Aleksander Kolarov in good form, European clubs have been circling Palmieri in hopes to lure him away from Roma. If granted the funds, Newcastle could welcome the addition of the 23-year-old in a bid for their Premier League survival.
The Magpies also face competition for Palmieri from Premier League rivals Liverpool as well as Juventus, who are said to be eyeing the Roma defender as a potential replacement for the unsettled Alex Sandro.
3. Radja Nainggolan
Possible suitors: Chelsea, Arsenal
Belgian international Radja Nainggolan could well leave Rome this month, albeit for completely different reasons than a financial crisis.
Roma recently dropped Nainggolan and fined him as punishment for his New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Belgian posted videos on social media where he was seen drinking, smoking, and swearing.
Nainggolan’s recent behaviour may well be the excuse Roma need to get the midfielder off of their books. Chelsea are reportedly interested in the 29-year-old, but as a versatile box-to-box midfielder, he could be a good fit at Arsenal who are in desperate need of a strong presence in central midfield.
2. Kevin Strootman
Possible suitors: Manchester United, Juventus
Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman has been linked with move away from Roma in the past, but the current climate at the club might mean that they finally cash-in on Strootman who has been under-performing of late.
Manchester United could be a good fit, who have been linked with the Dutchman previously. The 27-year-old could be brought in to bolster the Red Devils’ defensive midfielder options, and he certainly fits the Jose Mourinho mould of a strong, tall, all-round player.
Chelsea are also said to be targeting Strootman, as are Serie A title holders Juventus. Strootman could be brought to Turin to help the club’s bid to retain the Scudetto, with Juventus still a point behind league leaders Napoli.
1. Allison
Possible suitors: Liverpool, Atletico Madrid
Roma’s goalkeeper Allison has already been linked with a move away this winter, with a move to Liverpool seemingly edging closer. A fee of £35m is said to have been offered by the Reds, who look to spending some of their Coutinho money.
But another goalkeeper on a lot of other clubs’ radar is Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak. Should Atletico’s shot stopper be tempted by a move away, Allison could be a suitable replacement. The Brazilian goalkeeper only made his Serie A debut for Roma this season, but the 25-year-old has quickly impressed and gained some admirers across Europe.
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