Report: Everton target Mancini tops Roma ‘lock down’ list
Gianluca Mancini could prove to be a difficult target for Everton to land this summer, with the defender topping Roma’s list of players to ‘lock down’.
Italian newspaper Leggo reported last month that the Toffees were keeping tabs on the young centre-back who has impressed in Serie A this seaosn.
The 24-year old has missed just three league games for Roma this season, while he has also managed to find the back of the net on four occasions [Transfermarkt].
While Leggo don’t explicitly explain the depths of Everton’s interest, they do detail how the club have been ‘courting’ the centre-back alongside Inter Milan.
However, according to Sky Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Mancini could prove a difficult target this summer for any interested party.
According to Di Marzio, Mancini sits at the top of the list of players that Roma want to tie down to long-term contracts, which stands to reason given recent transfer speculation.
Di Marzio further describes Mancini as ‘untouchable’ for both the present and future of the Giallorossi.
Interesting situation
Recent speculation concerning Everton’s apparent interest in a centre-back this summer is interesting, particularly given that Ancelotti was on record backing his four current options in that position only last month [Liverpool Echo].
He even backed Jarrad Branthwaite to step up if and when required, indicating that he isn’t desperate for further reinforcements in that position.
However, opinions quickly change in football, and perhaps he has now decided that to take Everton to the next level he wants to bring in someone else.
CalcioMercato reported this week that Ancelotti is looking to use the COVID-induced financial situation in Italy to sign Serie A talent this summer, and Mancini could be someone who Carlo considers worth splashing out on.
However, if Roma are so determined to keep him for their long-term future, Everton could face an issue there.
Perhaps Ancelotti could leverage the Italian side’s former interest in Bernard [Liverpool Echo], with the Brazilian expected to leave this summer, in order to facilitate a move for Mancini.
Plenty could happen regarding this particular transfer and equally nothing could happen at all, so we’ll just have to watch this space.
In other Everton news, Rio Ferdinand has showered praise on Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin.