According to the Corriere dello Sport, Roma have pulled out of negotiations to sign Leonardo Bonucci from Union Berlin.
The deal had seemed to be close to completion, with the veteran Italy international filling the gaps left by the Chris Smalling injury and Evan Ndicka being called away for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Agent Alessandro Lucci had met with director of sport Tiago Pinto and agreed terms for the contract worth €800,000 until June 2024.
However, this evening the Corriere dello Sport website claims that Roma owners the Friedkin family pulled the plug on the whole affair, considering it too much of an investment on a player about to turn 37.
Including taxes, it would cost Roma circa €2m to sign Bonucci for the next six months.
The budget for the Stadio Olimpico side is extraordinarily tight and they would prefer to use that money for a player with potential to make the move permanent in future.