Over the weekend, the English press picked up snippets from an article in Corriere dello Sport, claiming that Roma were interested in Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian.
With Rick Karsdorp injured, and the Italian defender having the ‘required experience to help Roma’, Monchi could end up trying to negotiate a loan with a view to buy at the end of the season for the 27-year-old.
Of course, a Darmian exit would depend on José Mourinho and whether or not he feels he has enough cover at full-back for the rest of the season.
However, that isn’t the only barrier that could hinder an exit for the Italy international, as Corriere dello Sport, in their print edition, also make it very clear that Roma qualifying for the first knockout round of the Champions League would be crucial.
Doing so would allow them to bring in an extra €20m, which would therefore go towards paying Darmian’s wages and whatever fee Manchester United would agree to sell him for at the end of the loan.
Were Roma to end up relegated to the Europa League by finishing third in their group, well, Monchi would have to wave goodbye to any money for the January transfer window.
For that to happen, however, Atlético Madrid would have to beat Chelsea away, and the Serie A side would have to draw to Qarabag, as Diego Simeone’s side’s 2-0 win last week gives them the head-to-head advantage.
Unlikely, but entirely feasible.
