Reports: Roma Nearing Deal for Barca Youngster Carles Perez

Thanks to the recent injury to Nicolo Zaniolo and the up and down play of Cengiz Ünder and Justin Kluivert, Roma have been scouring the continent in search of additional wide players; someone to take the offensive pressure off Edin Dzeko and to push Ünder and Kluivert for minutes now and in the future. Roma's initial scans focused on Italy but with Matteo Politano and Federico Bernardeschi proving a bridge too far, Gianluca Petrachi broadened his scope, sending out feelers for Adnan Januzaj and Javairo Dilrosun, among others.

However, if the latest rumors come to fruition, none of those names will be gracing the Eternal City anytime soon.

According to Sky's Gianluca Di Marzio, the titan of Italian transfer stories, Roma have turned their eyes towards Carles Perez, Barcelona's 21-year-old winger. Perez, who made his senior debut with Barca last season after coming up through La Masia, has carved out a niche role with the La Liga leaders this season, notching 10 appearances while scoring one goal and chipping in two assists. Throw in his goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League, and the Spanish U-21 international is turning in a pretty solid rookie season.

But since this is Barcelona we're talking about, competition for places is thick, meaning Perez's best bet might be a move away from Camp Nou. According to Di Marzio, Roma and Barcelona are close to finalizing a €20 million loan with an option to buy deal for Perez.

Perez stands 5’7” and has been likened to Arjen Robben, given his left-footedness and fondness for cutting in from the right flank, though he can play on either side of the pitch.

Given how Roma's transfer business has unfolded this winter (or more aptly, fallen apart) we're a bit hesitant to make any proclamations, but Perez could join Atalanta's Roger Ibanez in Trigoria for medical examinations early next week.

Updates...Already

Like, literally as I was writing this up Di Marzio dropped another nugget on this transfer: Perez will come to Roma on a loan with mandatory €13 million purchase price and all that remains is sorting out a contract with the soon to be 22-year-old.