Jose Mourinho is interested in bringing Real Madrid veteran Marcelo to Rome, reports Calciomercato. The 33-year-old left-back has fallen down the pecking order in Madrid since the arrival of Ferland Mendy. The Brazilian and is now being eyed by Mourinho as a replacement for Leonardo Spinazzola.
The sight of Spinazzola leaving the pitch in tears against Belgium must’ve been difficult to take in for the fans of Italy and Roma. The right-footed left wingback had been one of his club’s most influential players last term and was of similar importance to his national team. Spinazzola’s injury will likely sideline him for at least six months, leaving Mourinho with just one option in the left-back position – 19-year-old Riccardo Calafiori.
Following Spinazzola’s injury, strengthening the left-back slot has become important to the club. To that end, Marcelo is being eyed as a low-cost, short-term alternative. The Brazilian only has a year left on his contract in Madrid, and his future remains up in the air. Marcelo, who joined Real Madrid in 2007, has won everything there is to win at a club level. He played a key role in Madrid’s four UEFA Champions League wins in recent years, including the unprecedented three-peat.
Meanwhile, Roma are also said to be closing in on the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rui Patricio. The Portuguese goalkeeper is set to leave England for Italy and will replace Pau Torres in the Roma goal. Torres, on the other hand, is expected to complete a move to Ligue 1 side Marseille in the coming days.
Furthermore, Mourinho could also bring Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka to the Stadio Olimpico. The two clubs remain in talks over the Swiss player, who starred for his national team in the win over world champions France at the Euros recently.
