Roma are keen on signing a centre-back ahead of the 2022/23 season, but it might not be Manchester United’s Eric Bailly, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer.
According to a report from Rome-based outlet Il Messaggero, Roma continue to deny that they have made any attempt to sign Eric Bailly from Manchester United despite the English media pushing the reports of Roma being interested in a move for the Ivorian international.
It has been continuously claimed that the Giallorossi are plotting a loan move plus a right of redemption worth €7 million for the 28-year-old Bailly. The Italian report mentions that Roma deny those claims.
But it is indeed true that Jose Mourinho wants to bring in another defender. The current Roma squad has only Chris Smalling, Gianluca Mancini, Roger Ibanez, and Marash Kumbulla as their senior central defensive figures.
With Mourinho looking to stick to his three-man defence, the signing of another centre-back appears to be a neeccesity for the Giallorossi. Dan-Axel Zagadou, currently a free agent, is seen as an astute candidate to come in and fill that void for Roma.
Since he is a free agent, it will not take a substantial transfer fee to sign him. Plus, Mourinho’s need for a left-footed centre-back will also be addressed. The likes of Evan Ndicka and Japhet Tanganga are considered alternatives to 23-year-old Zagadou.
GIFN | Jyotirmoy Halder
