This season, Roma has emerged as one of the standout teams in Serie A and has a real opportunity to vie for the title.
After finishing fifth last season under Claudio Ranieri, new manager Gian Piero Gasperini has built upon that success to position Roma firmly in the title race.
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The championship race has seen Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma, and Napoli all rise to the top at different points, and strategic mid-season signings could prove crucial in this fiercely competitive environment.
Gasperini has effectively utilized a solid squad, but to remain competitive through the second half of the season, Roma will need additional reinforcements.
Let’s explore three players the Giallorossi should consider targeting in the upcoming winter transfer window to strengthen their Serie A title aspirations.
Joshua Zirkzee – Manchester United
With Artem Dovbyk sidelined by a hamstring injury, Evan Ferguson is currently the only recognized striker in Gasperini’s roster, and he has yet to deliver consistent performances.
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Gasperini has publicly encouraged Ferguson to elevate his game, and he responded positively by scoring twice in a 3-0 victory against Celtic in the Europa League.
Nevertheless, Roma needs to secure a new striker to enhance their title chase, and they have been linked with Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee.
Despite his struggles in the Premier League, Roma’s interest in Zirkzee is understandable. He was a standout talent at Bologna prior to his expensive (£36.5m) move to United.
With United reportedly open to selling him after a year and a half, a return to Italy for Zirkzee at a reasonable price could be a wise move for the Giallorossi.
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He would provide a different dynamic to Gasperini’s attack, alleviating some pressure off other squad members.
Nabil Fekir – Al-Jazira
Nabil Fekir’s decision to leave Real Betis for UAE Pro League club Al-Jazira in 2024 raised some eyebrows.
Regarded as one of France’s finest playmakers during his tenure at Olympique Lyon, he continued to excel at Betis and drew interest from several top clubs in Europe.
Now, a return to European football could be in line, making it an opportune moment for Roma to act.
In his debut season in the UAE Pro League, Fekir recorded eight goals and four assists in 20 matches, garnering significant attention in the betting community.
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With operators like Melbet UAE observing a spike in new bettors drawn to Al-Jazira since his arrival, Fekir’s transfer to Roma could attract even more attention to Serie A, prompting UAE betting platforms to expand their offerings.
If he returns to Europe with Roma, his experience could significantly enhance the team’s midfield and elevate their title prospects.
Davide Frattesi – Inter Milan
Despite the fierce competition within Serie A, clubs often manage to engage in trades, and Roma stands to benefit from this trend.
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Davide Frattesi, once heralded as a top talent at Sassuolo, made a move to Inter following impressive performances.
Though he played a vital role in helping Inter secure Serie A and the Italian Super Cup titles in the 2023/24 season with 15 goals and 11 assists over 102 appearances, he has recently fallen out of favor with new manager Cristian Chivu.
Having progressed through Roma’s youth system before his move to Sassuolo, a return to the club could be on the cards this winter.
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Frattesi remains a high-caliber midfielder and could benefit from consistent playing time at Roma, having made only one league start this season, with his other appearances mainly coming off the bench. If Roma manages to secure him, Frattesi could prove to be a pivotal signing that significantly boosts their chances of clinching the Scudetto.