Could Franco Vazquez be an Option for Roma this Summer?

One of the unintended consequences of Roma playing on a Friday is that it makes for a rather dull weekend. Outside of Alessandro Florenzi’s 27th birthday and a smattering of probable lineups for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, there isn’t a ton of news out there today. With that in mind, let’s take a peak into the summer transfer window, specifically at one player who has been seemingly tailor made for Roma for the past five seasons or so.

No matter which Serie A team you follow—and if you’re here we know you’re partial to Roma—we all have a soft spot for Palermo. From their slick pink kits to the unending chain of ludicrous talent they’ve unearthed over the past ten to twenty years to the always entertaining antics of Maurizio Zamparini, Palermo is, to borrow James Pallotta’s sage words, everyone’s favorite second team.

We mention all of this simply because former Palermo midfielder Franco Vazquez has admitted a desire to return to Italy, with Roma reportedly being on his mind. Speaking Tuttomercatoweb, Vazquez praised the Giallorossi:

I’m happy at Sevilla, they welcomed me very well, I like La Liga and the best players are here...However, I’d like to go back to Italy. I don’t know when, but I’d like to. Roma in January? I heard the news, but there was nothing concrete.

Still, Roma are a great club and they would be beautiful for any player.

Source: Tuttomercatoweb via Football Italia

Vazquez, you may recall, was one of Italy’s hottest commodities following two prolific seasons with Palermo. Between the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons Vazquez asserted himself as one of the most dynamic players in the league, featuring as an attacking midfielder, second striker and false nine, racking up 18 goals and 17 assists across those two seasons, including the always rare double-double during the ‘14-’15 season.

After rescuing Palermo from relegation during the 2015-2016 seasons, Vazquez made the switch to La Liga, moving to Sevilla for €15 million. While his numbers aren’t quite as gaudy, Vazquez has still amassed 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions since making the switch to Spain.

Vazquez remains very much a pass-first, creative player, one who seemingly delights in setting up others more than glorifying himself. With Roma’s veritable lack of attacking midfielders, Vazquez could be the ideal complement to EDF’s side, giving him a much needed wrinkle in a midfield crowded by talented yet not terribly creative midfielders.

Vazquez has three years remaining on his Sevilla contract, so he won’t come cheap—one would imagine €20 million would be the starting point. Still, considering today’s marketplace and Roma’s need at the position, Vazquez might be worth it.

We’ll keep tabs on this story, but Vazquez seems like the type of low profile move that might actually reap more benefits than players two to three times his value.