Over the past few weeks, AS Roma have been constantly linked with two Barcelona players heading into the January transfer window.
The Blaugrana are looking to shed some wages from their payroll to be able to bring in new players and selling some of the fringe stars from the squad is being seen as an important measure to achieve that aim.
Memphis Depay, for one, is seen as a dispensable player, with Roma said to be keen on signing him. Another Blaugrana star who could be allowed to leave in the winter is right-back Hector Bellerin, who has also been heavily linked with a move to the Italian capital club.
However, according to the latest update from MARCA, Roma are no longer looking to sign Bellerin, with manager Jose Mourinho looking at other possible options to reinforce his right-back department in the winter window.
Bellerin arrived at Barcelona only this past summer, joining as a free agent after his Arsenal contract was torn up. However, the 27-year-old has failed to make much of an impact upon returning to his boyhood club
With the Catalan giants looking to reinforce the right-back slot in January, Bellerin’s possible departure is being looked into and Roma had shown an interest in the former Arsenal ace.
The Giallorossi director, Tiago Pinto, was reportedly informed about the Spanish ace’s situation and the fact that Barça would be open to letting him leave in the winter transfer window.
Given that he is on wages of just above €1 million per year, Bellerin would not have been a big financial burden for Roma either. But, Mourinho & co. have ruled out the possibility of signing the right-back and are now looking at other potential options as per the report.
Bellerin’s contract with Barcelona expires at the end of the season and, as things stand, a renewal is unlikely. As to whether the club decide to sign a new right-back in January, it will depend on their Financial Fair Play situation.
If the circumstances are not conducive enough, Xavi could continue with the same squad, with Bellerin, Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde and even Ronald Araujo as possible options in the right-back position.