Roma have reportedly added another Chelsea star to their transfer shortlist after failing to sign Alejandro Garnacho earlier this summer. The Serie A club had been the favourites to land Garnacho after Chelsea put the winger up for sale less than a year after his high-profile transfer from Manchester United. But in the end it was Aston Villa who signed the Argentina international on a loan deal, with the move set to become permanent should certain criteria be met.
Gasperini's urgent search for a left-sided attacker
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini is still desperate to sign a left-sided attacker and is looking to get a deal done quickly, with the Italian side kicking off their season against Fiorentina on August 24. Reports from Italy, via The Sun, claim that RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa and Lyon's Malick Fofana are on their shortlist, as is Jamie Gittens.
Like Garnacho, Gittens only moved to Stamford Bridge last summer in a deal worth £52 million from Borussia Dortmund and, like Garnacho, he endured a very difficult debut season. The England youth international scored just one goal and made five assists in 27 appearances across all competitions, before sitting out the second half of the season with a hamstring injury.
Gittens' struggles and Chelsea's changing plans
It was reported in June that Chelsea were willing to be patient with Gittens, but that was before Xabi Alonso splashed a record £117 million on left-sided attacker Morgan Rogers. The 22-year-old was an unused substitute in Saturday's 3-0 pre-season win over AC Milan, and with no European football this season, Gittens may struggle for game time.
Roma do not have much transfer funds to play with, so it is expected they would seek a loan move for the winger, but it remains to be seen whether Alonso would sanction his departure. Gittens is not among the 11 players that Chelsea are reportedly trying to sell before the transfer window closes and would be the only back-up option to Rogers should Pedro Neto and Mykhailo Mudryk depart.
What's next for Chelsea and Roma
The Blues have two more friendlies to play before they begin the season with a trip to west London rivals Fulham on August 24. For Roma, the priority is clear: secure a new attacking option before their opener against Fiorentina. Whether Gittens becomes that option depends on Chelsea's willingness to let him leave, even temporarily.
