According to Calcio Mercato, Spanish giants Barcelona are monitoring AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli. The team can certainly use help in the centre-back department with Gerard Pique ageing and Samuel Umtiti lagging in improvement. Now, the Catalan club see Romagnoli as an ideal option to pair alongside Clement Lenglet.
Barcelona Monitoring AC Milan Defender Alessio Romagnoli
Romagnoli’s History with Milan
The Italian has been Milan’s top defensive option for a few seasons now. He’s arguably been the top centre-back in Serie A to not play for Juventus. His leadership has also been key for the young club, as has been his tendency to score clutch goals.
However, Romagnoli has been in-and-out of the Milan lineup for the past few weeks. His partner at the back, Simon Kjaer, is the only constant. Romagnoli’s status as a starter has been because of two aspects – his injury history and the emergence of Chelsea loanee Fikayo Tomori.
This is not a knock on Romagnoli, however. Milan were coasting in Serie A, sitting pretty at first place for months. When Romagnoli got injured, things starting to decline. Perhaps this says more about Romagnoli’s talent and leadership than anything else. When healthy and on his game, Romagnoli is a force at the back and nearly impossible to overcome.
With the defender being Milan’s captain, it will be tough to convince the club to let him go. Barcelona’s case will be made in the fact that the Italian’s contract expires in a little over a year, and they could have the resources to pay him the wages he desires.
The Fit and Need at Barcelona
Romagnoli could be a direct replacement for Pique if the transfer comes to fruition. He’ll partner with Lenglet at the back, as the French international has continued to impress.
Barcelona’s centre-back options aren’t stellar behind these names, but Romagnoli and Lenglet can make a great partnership.
Although Romagnoli has captained Milan for a couple of seasons now, he’s still just 26-years-old. He’s only beginning to enter his prime. Lenglet is 25-years-old, giving Barcelona a potential pair for at least five seasons.
Is Romagnoli willing to move, is the main question. If Milan can pay him his desired wages in the future, it’s difficult to see him leaving, especially with the Italian club back on track for Champions League qualification. Romagnoli is already captain, something he wouldn’t be in line for in Barcelona, plus he’s in his native country of Italy. With all that being said, money does talk.
Milan, however, should pay Romagnoli the slight increase he may desire, as he and Tomori will make for a fantastic defensive pairing in the future.
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