Roma are continuing to ‘closely follow’ Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as they look to add a left-footed centre-back to Jose Mourinho’s squad.
That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport edition, relayed by Forza Roma, who cover the Italian side’s interest in Branthwaite today.
They explain that Roma will be making changes to their defence in January, with it almost certain that Rick Karsdorp will be departing, and someone comes in to replace him.
Mourinho has already written off the Dutchman and everyone knows that Roma ‘must give him away’ as soon as possible.
Several names are being looked at and one of those that Rome ‘continue to closely follow’ is that of Everton’s Branthwaite.
He is described as ‘young’ as well as having ‘an affordable price’ at €5m and is also left footed, something Roma’s squad is lacking as their current options are all right footed.
The youngster is currently on loan at PSV Eindhoven but has barely featured for them this season and several reports have made it clear that Everton are looking to bring him back to Goodison Park in January.
That was followed by claims Branthwaite would be happy to stay where he is, but Gazzetta say otherwise, insisting he ‘would like to make a change’ to ‘find more space and grow’.
Roma could offer him that but ‘many other Premier League clubs’ are also interested in the England Under-20 international and so ‘it will not be easy’ for Roma to get him.
A transfer battle could be on the cards, with Branthwaite’s future seemingly set to be determined in January.
