Roma have identified Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette as a potential cut-price successor for Edin Dzeko at the Stadio Olimpico, as reported by Calciomercato.
In an ideal world, the Giallorossi would replace their long-serving talisman with one of Serie A’s most gifted number nines.
But with Roma sitting outside the top four and facing the prospect of another season without Champions League football, mega-money deals for Andrea Belotti or Dusan Vlahovic feel about as likely as Francesco Totti declaring his undying love for all things Lazio.
According to Calciomercato, Torino would demand at least £40 million for the former while the latter, after a superb breakthrough season at Fiorentina, would set Roma back around £25 million.
All this means that Roma’s newly-appointed sporting director, Tiago Pinto, is already facing a major test of his mettle.
Replacing Dzeko, the £130,000-a-week talisman who has scored 116 goals in 247 games, is difficult enough; let alone when you are operating on a restrictive budget.
Fortunately, there are a couple of highly-gifted attackers who will be available for far less than their market value this summer.
Memphis Depay has still not put pen to paper at Lyon, while both Odsonne Edouard and Lacazette are due to become free agents in 2022.
The Scottish Mail (26 February, back page) believe Arsenal are unlikely to hand Lacazette a new deal, with the London giants joining Roma in the market for a new number nine.
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