Roma manager Jose Mourinho has identified Chelsea duo Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr as targets ahead of the January transfer window.
Mourinho is desperate to sign a central defender in the mid-season window and is looking to the Premier League for opportunities. Roma have been without Chris Smalling since September 1 due to tendon inflammation and the experienced centre-back is expected to be sidelined until after Christmas.
Meanwhile, Marash Kumbulla is out until January due to injury and Evan N’Dicka will leave for the Africa Cup of Nations in the New Year. That picture has left Mourinho frustrated in recent weeks and has solidified the idea of bringing in reinforcements in the next transfer window.
Calciomercato says he has put forward Chalobah and Sarr as viable options for loan moves in January. Neither are in the first-team plans of Mauricio Pochettino, having both failed to make a single appearance this season, and Chelsea’s bloated squad could do with trimming.
The Blues are well stocked in central defence, with Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana all ahead of Chalobah and Sarr in the pecking order when fit.
Chalobah has made 63 appearances for Chelsea, earning some regular game time under Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, but is frustrated at present after seeing a summer move fall through and a hamstring injury preventing any game time.
Sarr, meanwhile, was not even on Pochettino’s radar back in August, with a question about his availability causing the Argentine to stumble awkwardly in a press conference. Asked about Sarr and young goalkeeper Jamie Cumming, Pochettino replied: “Who?”
He then added: "Oh my goodness. I don't know what I can tell you. I don't know because you surprised me! It's like you punched [me in the face] and I am like this [startled] because we were talking about Luton!"
Sarr has made just 21 appearances for Chelsea since joining on a free transfer from Nice in 2020. He has been sent out on loan to Porto and Monaco and could leave again in January for Roma.
Mourinho has got other options though. Tottenham defender Eric Dier is another reported target who he has worked with previously, with Arsenal ’s Jakub Kiwior is also mentioned by the report from Italy.
Dier would reportedly be available on a permanent transfer for around €6million (£5m), with his Spurs contract expiring in June, but Arsenal are unlikely to allow Kiwior to leave.
The Roma manager is also reportedly keen on Serbia defender Nikola Milenkovic. He is a tough target, given he has been at Fiorentina for six years and recently signed a new contract with the Serie A side until June 2027. Roma are currently seventh in Serie A, two points behind Fiorentina, with five wins from their opening 12 games.