Transfer Market: Roma Eyes Juventus for Defensive Strength

AS Roma is back in the market scouting for reinforcements in the defensive department, after their plans to sign Bonucci fell through. Interruptions due to injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations make this quest more challenging than expected.

Given the Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints, Roma’s Sporting Director Tiago Pinto doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room – the cap being set at 1.5 million. According to the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Roma has recently made an approach to Juventus for Dean Huijsen, a young Dutch footballer.

Juventus, however, allegedly responded with a flat-out denial for a loan move for the Dutch player, who had been promised to Frosinone. The refusal was not so much because Roma is a direct competitor in the European competitions, but more related to concerns about continuity once players like N’Dicka, Kumbulla and Smalling become available.

In the Juventus’ camp, the decision appears to be clear: Huijsen either goes to Frosinone or stays with Juventus.