Roma Club Focus: Transfer rumours ahoy, who’s in and out at the Stadio Olimpico

Date: 14th April 2012 at 8:38am
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It’s getting ever closer to silly season again. The summer transfer window is only a couple of months away and already the rumour mill is starting to swirl, with Roma receiving their fair share of gossip over the past few days. So as a result, let’s have a look at those being linked with the Giallorossi. We shall begin with one man who would appear on his way out of the club according to reports.

Juan

The rumours of Roma‘s Brazilian defender returning to his homeland refuse to go away despite the denials of the player himself.

The 33 year-old centre-back began his career with Flamengo and it is they who are rumoured to be interested in bringing him back to Brazil.

Flamengo are being said to send executive vice-president Rafael de Piro over to Rome next week to begin discussions about a transfer.

Also the club’s vice-president of football operations, paulo Cesar Coutinho, has not been shy of voicing his admiration for the player and it is clear that he will do what it takes to bring him back.

“Our interest in Juan is great and I have left the transaction in the hands of Rafael de Piro, our [executive] vice-president,” he revealed to Lancenet. “He’s practically family with Juan. “I have asked him to make enquiries and to then begin negotiations. He [De Piro] must travel after the match against Lanus, so it might be the end of this week or sometime next week. “But I think everything will go OK, because Juan’s family wants him back.”

Now onto those on their way to Rome

Nemanja Tomic

FK Partizan’s flying winger Nemanja Tomic is the latest name to be linked with a move to the Stadio Olimpico.

According to the player’s agent the 24 year-old Serbian is very keen on a move to Serie A, and Roma in particular, as he looks to increase his chances with the national side.

Roma are known to be looking at wide players this summer and Tomic fits the bill as an ideal signing, something agent, Jovica Radonijic, is more than happy to go along with. “Nemanja is thinking only about Roma, at least just for now. I believe that the two clubs are already in contact,” Radonijic told reporters. Other irons in the fire for Roma are potential move for January transfer targets Dodo and Paulinho, both of whom play for Brazilian side Corinthians.

Michele Canini

One player that seems to be out of the running to join the Giallorossi is Cagliari defender Michele Canini as the player’s agent has come out in the press and stated that the two clubs are not discussing a possible transfer.

“The stories over the last few days regarding a possible move for Canini are just rumours,” the representative, Renzo Contratto, told the Gazzetta Giallorossa.

“I have nothing to say really at this point in time because there are no talks going on between Roma and Cagliari for Canini.

“For now, the two clubs are just concentrating on finishing the current campaign in the best way possible.”

Davide Astori

One more rumour to chuck wildly at you is that Roma are looking at strengthening the centre-back positions, no surprise given the goals conceded this season, and see Cagliari’s Davide Astori as a possible solution.

The 25 year-old made his Azzurri debut last season in a friendly against Ukraine, which he appeared as a substitute and was then sent-off, and he has been watched by several clubs this season, of which Roma appear to be one, with a view to making a move for him in the summer.

A product of the Milan youth system big things were projected for the 6ft 2in defender but he has yet to make good on that potential but time is still on his side.

Donnie’s View

Let’s face it, transfers rumours are what they are…..rumours. The chances of any of these moves coming off at this stage are in the low percentage. However, unless we wind ourselves up in ever decreasing circles by talking about the side’s inconsistency again then transfer rumours it is.

Despite his denials the exit of Juan in the summer seems like a high possibility. He’s been a great servant to the club in the past five seasons and the time is right of the next generation to step in, whoever that might be!!

If his family want him back home and his old club are willing to do what it takes to get him there then it seems like it could well happen. If he does go then I’m sure the vast majority of Roma tifosi will give him their blessing and thanks.

The Tomic signing sounds an interesting one although I am sure that players of far more international renown and note will appear on the radar before any is decided about this one. I’ve never seen him play but I know that current FK Partizan coach Avram Grant rates him very highly.

As for Canini & Astori, they seem to be unlikely moves in my book. If Roma want to progress next season and become genuine title contenders and eventually a European force they may have to set their sights a little bit higher than these two.

Good players as they are, I don’t think, from what I’ve seen of them, that they are the type of player that will help the club turn into Champions.

No doubt next week will bring a whole new raft of players to talk about but don’t expect anything concrete to happen until the end of the season at the earliest. Which gives us plenty more time for idle gossip!!!

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