Roma suffered a 4-3 defeat at home to Sassuolo on Sunday evening, which also saw Marash Kumbulla sent off in a thrilling spectacle at the Stadio Olimpico.
Torino see Lukic as a potential pawn in accelerating their efforts to sign West Ham loanee Vlasic permanently, but the presence of Roma cannot be ignored.
Roma recovered multiple pieces during the break, and there were no new injuries during international duties. Paulo Dybala being called up by Argentina after missing the previous game raised questions, but he watched two friendlies on the stands. Marash Kumbulla, Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini will be preset against Inter.
Roma will have to make do without Marash Kumbulla and Stephan El Shaarawy for a month, and they are unlikely to bring in replacements from the transfer market. The two backups picked up thigh strains during the recent romp against Monza. The Giallorossi probably won't make any late addition.
José Mourinho would like to add a center-back, but he’s aware the management has already pulled off plenty of moves in the market while operating amid financial restrictions. The Special One offered his remarks after romping Monza: "I don’t have the courage to put pressure on the director or ownership."
Torino coach Ivan Juric spent two years at Hellas Verona from June 2019 to May 2021, coinciding his stay in the 2019/20 season with Kumbulla’s emergence as a new talent.
Napoli are looking for a defender to replace Kostas Manolas. However, they do not have a large budget to sign him and want somebody on loan with option. They have laid their eyes on a Roma reserve center-backs and on a Verona standout. Moreover, they are eyeing multiple options at Empoli.
Serie A Matchday 16 closes out at the Stadio Olimpico as an out-of-form Roma take on 17th-placed Spezia in a must-win encounter. Approaching the business end of the calendar year, the Giallorossi are languishing in mid-table following a couple of sluggish performances.
Albanian talent Marash Kumbulla has experienced scarce playing time since moving from Hellas Verona on loan back in the summer transfer window of 2020.
Marash Kumbulla has been one of the Roma players that had more difficulties to open the season. He struggled mightily in the shocking loss to Bodo/Glimt, with opposing strikers slipping behind him at will. However, the Giallorossi have invested too much to move on from him.