Roma are looking to pick up a new centre back in January and have reportedly identified RB Salzburg’s Oumar Solet as an exciting option.
The Giallorossi have been unable to rely on Chris Smalling and Marash Kumbulla so far this season, with the former struggling with tendonitis and the latter in the final stages of recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture.
In the new year, Evan Ndicka will head off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Cote d’Ivoire, further reducing Jose Mourinho’s options at the back.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport via TMW, Roma scouts have highlighted Solet as a strong option to bolster Mourinho’s defence in the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old Frenchman only has 18 months left on his contract with RB Salzburg and isn’t planning to pen a new deal.
Solet recently opened up to a move to the Italian capital, telling the media “I need to take a leap and grow as a footballer, move to one of the major leagues and start playing big challenges,” and “Mourinho is the ideal coach, also for developing a young player. It would give me a great feeling to work with him because he would certainly make me improve.”
Financial Fair Play restrictions mean Roma cannot spend heavily in January, so much depends on the Austrian club’s willingness to negotiate a deal.