Roma May Prefer Juan Jesus to Caceres

After spending the past two days discussing Daniele Rugani and Thomas Vermaelen, respectively, our transfer discussions remain firmly focused on the defense. While it has long been assumed that Roma would roll the dice on Juventus free agent Martin Caceres—you know the guy with as many healthy achilles as DWIs—it seems as though the club is giving that move second thoughts.

While the Gazzetta dello Sport reports Caceres’ camp remains confident in moving their client to Roma, Luciano Spalletti may prefer Juan Jesus, Inter Milan’s 25-year-old Brazilian defender. Jesus, much like Vermaelen, is a left footed center back capable of playing left back, though Jesus brings the added benefit of intact hamstrings.

Jesus joined Inter in the winter of 2012, ironically jumping from Brazilian club Internacionale. Since then, Jesus has made 100 or so mostly non-descript appearances for the Nerazzurri, including 19 this past season.

The GdS doesn’t really discuss the cost of this rumored move, probably because it’s so uninspiring, but as we’re seeing, Roma’s quest for a defender (so far) centers around reclamation projects and buy low candidates. Jesus has all the tools to be a fine defender, but to date, he hasn’t been able to coalesce them into a finished product.

Roma may be trying to find Jesus, but I’m not sure this one will bring salvation.