According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma striker Romelu Lukaku has called his compatriot Arthur Theate, trying to persuade him to move to the Stadio Olimpico in January, while West Ham defender Thilo Kehrer is waiting to join Monaco.
Roma need a new centre-back in the January transfer window as Chris Smalling and Marash Kumbulla are still injured, while Evan N’Dicka will play in the AFCON with his national team, Ivory Coast.
Rennes defender Theate, a former Bologna man, has emerged as one of Roma’s top targets after the Giallorossi dropped Leonardo Bonucci.
According to Gazzetta, Lukaku has recently called Theate, 23, to persuade him to move to the Stadio Olimpico in January.
However, Rennes seem unwilling to sell one of their best players in January, especially because Roma can’t afford a permanent transfer currently, let alone match their asking price, in the region of €20m.
Trevoh Chalobah is also an option for Roma, but Chelsea have already filled their slots for players out on loan and could only send the Englishman to the capital on a temporary transfer if another player comes back.
At the same time, West Ham centre-back Kehrer seems to have chosen Monaco as his next destination.
In any case, Roma need to make room for a new signing by cutting their wage bill. Following a settlement agreement with UEFA, they can only invest €1.5m in the January transfer window, including agent fees.
This is why they could send Renato Sanches back to PSG and sell Leonardo Spinazzola to Galatasaray six months before the end of his contract.