Roma appears poised to provide Gian Piero Gasperini with a new striker this January, as their current attacking lineup has not delivered the expected results.
The Dovbyk-Ferguson combination has struggled to generate the firepower needed for a team aiming to climb the league standings. The club is preparing to invest in a player who can address their ongoing goalscoring challenges without making hasty decisions.
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Recently, Roma has been eyeing Joshua Zirkzee.
Now with Manchester United, the former Bologna forward aligns well with many of Gasperini’s strategic preferences and was viewed as an ideal fit for the team.
However, the situation is more complex: United is not looking to approve a loan deal and will only contemplate a permanent transfer, as reported by Sportal.
Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United warms up before the Premier League match against Liverpool FC at Anfield on January 5, 2025, in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Given their budgetary and strategic constraints, Roma is unlikely to pursue that avenue. Despite Zirkzee’s evident talent, a return to Serie A seems nearly unattainable under the current circumstances.
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After Zirkzee, Roma looks at other options
Thus, the focus has shifted to alternative targets.
One potential candidate is Giacomo Raspadori, who enjoyed a strong start at Atlético Madrid but has faced challenges in securing consistent playing time under Diego Simeone.
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 30: Giacomo Raspadori of Atletico Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 match against Eintracht Frankfurt at Estadio Metropolitano on September 30, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
In addition, a new name has surfaced as a viable option: Yuri Alberto.
The Brazilian, born in 2004 and currently at Corinthians, is already part of the national setup. He boasts a combination of physicality, technical ability, and speed that strongly aligns with Gasperini’s tactical approach.
His market value is estimated to be between €20-25 million, an amount that Roma could realistically achieve, contingent upon at least one outgoing transfer in January.