After making several high-quality purchases in the summer, Roma could soon add another significant piece to Jose Mourinho’s squad. As claimed by Calciomercato, the Giallorossi are in the market for a new defender to team up with Chris Smalling and Gianluca Mancini.
Mourinho has laid his eyes on fringe Manchester United defender Eric Bailly. The Special One is keen to bolster his defensive options. Marash Kumbulla has failed to impress the Portuguese manager, who now aims to take the 28-year-old to Serie A.
Mourinho was in charge at Old Trafford when the Red Devils brought Bailly from Villarreal. But the move has not panned out as expected. Several long-term injuries have turned the towering defender into a peripheral figure in Manchester.
He barely featured for Man Utd last season, making a mere four Premier League appearances. New boss Erik ten Hag recruited his ex-Ajax protege Lisandro Martinez last month. The Argentine’s arrival will likely push the Ivorian centre-back further down the pecking order.
With Man Utd ready to cash in on their out-of-favour defender, Roma could strengthen their backline on favourable terms. The Premier League heavyweights are willing to offload Bailly on a cut-price deal, handing the Italians hope to fill the hole at the back.
But if things go south, Roma have a backup plan waiting in the wings. Dan-Axel Zagadou has emerged as another potential option to team up with Mourinho’s troops. The Frenchman is out of work after failing to land a new contract at Borussia Dortmund.
Zagadou’s representatives have already approached Inter with the proposal. However, last season’s Serie A runners-up are not convinced, paving the way for Roma to sign Zagadou if they want.