A few times this week, the upcoming winter mercato has come up here on CdT. We’ve discussed some Roma players that are drawing interest from around the continent, as well as, some who may be of interest to Roma. Today Corriere dello Sport released a list of six players that Monchi has in his sights for the upcoming January transfer window. The most likely positions that Monchi will target are a central defender to replace Ivan Marcano, who will likely be on his way out of the club after just six months, and a central midfielder in the mold of Daniele De Rossi. However, there are some other players on the list that don’t necessarily fit those positions.

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Gian Marco Ferrari

Ferrari has been somewhat of a revelation at Sassuolo this season. The 26 year old moved around the lower divisions often early in his career before being purchased by the Neroverdi in 2016. Despite being purchased two seasons ago, this season is the first that Ferrari has actually spent at the Mapei. Two seasons ago Ferrari was sent away on loan with Crotone, while last season he was farmed out to Sampdoria. Ferrari was nearly sold in the off-season before the club decided to stick with him.

Ferrari has played well this season for a club that is currently joint sixth place with Roma. Ferrari is a center back by nature but the left-footed player can also play left back. His solid play has offset Sassuolo’s loss of Francesco Acerbi to Lazio in the offseason. There’s talk that Ferrari could be in line for a contract renewal, but his agent said that his future will be decided in the offseason. Ferrari is currently valued at €10 million, but with Sassuolo so dependent on Ferrari this season, it’s more likely that this move would come to fruition in the summer if Monchi is truly interested.

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Matija Nastasić

Nastasić is a player who has a past in Serie A. He played for Fiorentina during the 2011-12 season. The Serb turned a solid season into a move to Manchester City before moving on to his current club Schalke after two and a half seasons. Nastasić is a player who has been linked with Roma in the past and could provide an option as a valid alternative to Federico Fazio. The 25 year old has a deal that runs through 2022 with the Bundesliga club and is currently valued at €22 million.

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Angelo Ogbonna

Perhaps the most feasible center back option on this list for a January move is the 30 year old Italian. Ogbonna has plied his trade at Premier League club West Ham since the 2015-16 season. The Italian was a fixture in the Hammers line-up last season; making 32 Premier League appearances. However, he’s only played in two matches this season, which means he’s likely surplus goods in London. With this in mind, the former Torino and Juventus man can likely be had for as little as €5 million Euros. A loan with an option to buy could also be enough to get Ogbonna to leave the English capital for Roma.

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Sandro Tonali

This isn’t the first time that we’ve reported Sandro Tonali as a potential target for Roma. The 18 year old, who currently plays in Sere B with Brescia, has become the new hot prospect of calcio. After receiving his first senior National Team call up from Roberto Mancini this week, Tonali’s name has become en vogue. Tonali is the desire of most of Serie A and many big clubs around Europe; often being compared to Italy legend Andrea Pirlo. It’s unknown if Brescia president, Massimo Cellino, is willing to sell in the January transfer window or if he will hold out until the summer, but when he decides the time is right expect a bidding war for Tonali’s services. The teen is currently valued in the €18-20 million range, but time will tell as to his actual market value. However, there’s no question that Monchi would love to add Tonali to his stable of young talent as the heir to De Rossi.

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Rafinha

Rafinha turned heads the other day when it was reported that he told some close friends that he’d be joining Monchi. The 25 year old Brazilian midfielder spent last season on loan at Inter from Barcelona. Upon his return to Barca this season, Rafinha has found playing time in Catalonia hard to come by under Valverde. He has played in only 304 total minutes for the Blaugrana and would like to find a solution that would offer him more consistent playing time. Rafinha’s Barca deal expired at the end of next season, so it’ll be interesting to see if Monchi makes a move for the Brazilian in January or waits until June when the player will be on an expiring contract; giving the Roma sporting director more bargaining power.

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Thorgan Hazard

Not quite Edin, but the younger brother of the Chelsea star has been on fire to open the Bundesliga season. The 25 year old Belgian currently plies his trade for a Borussia Mönchengladbach side that sits second in the Bundesliga standings. Hazard is a natural trequartista but could also fit wide in Roma’s current 4-2-3-1 set-up. The Belgian has great technical ability and pace, and currently leads the German top flight with seven goals and three assists. He’s currently valued at around €20 million Euros but with his current production that valuation could be on the rise. If Monchi is truly interested in the Belgian’s services then expected competition; Manchester City is also rumored to have interest.