In the coming days AS Roma will reportedly sign their first transfer target of 2016, an Argentine winger by the name of Diego Perotti – but just who is he?
Born in Moreno, a suburb of Buenos Aires, he made his first steps into European football with Sevilla’s B side back in 2007. His hard work for the feeder squad granted him the starting role in the senior side in 2009, and from there on he cemented his place for the next few seasons. Unfortunately, the latter half of his spell was injury ridden, and he was transferred to Genoa for a fresh start after a brief loan to Boca Juniors.
Given the number 10 shirt, he was able to resurrect his career in the Italian port city, wowing Serie A with his slick passing ability and audacious trickery. He is reportedly being tracked by multiple clubs in the Italian top flight, and with injuries to both Gervinho and Salah earlier in the campaign, Roma seem the likeliest destination if their bid for Stephen El Shaarawy falls through.
Roma have a Champions League encounter with Real Madrid, and are in dire need of some support if their starters are to be injured as was the case for much of their slump throughout November. Juan Manuel Iturbe was given one last chance by the club and ultimately squandered it, being shipped out to Bournemouth on New Years Day, the transfer being finalized in the days immediately following.
This is not Roma’s first winger signed from a fellow Serie A side in the last calendar year – Victor Ibarbo has come and gone from Cagliari without contributing anything in his six month stay. Iago Falque meanwhile, has been quite the surprise following his signing from Genoa in the summer. With Genoa on the decline and a rebuild looming, Perotti is a valuable commodity that needs to be sold in order to reinvest in the side.
The downfall of Roma this year has not been unexpected, nor have the injuries aided it – what the giallorossi are lacking in is chemistry. If Perotti is to be paired with Iago Falque, it would be a shrewd signing; the two players having already been acquainted, suiting this side immensely. Especially since both Perotti and Falque are creative geniuses, the misfiring Edin Džeko will surely benefit from the new approach.
To answer the question to whom Diego Perotti is, frankly, is rather simple. He is the potential saviour of the Capitoline wolves. Roma will have to work quickly though, if they are to complete the transfer before another team beats them to him. If they do not, they may be stuck with the hot and cold Stephen El Shaarawy and end up trying to rid themselves of another winger for the second consecutive season in a row.
