AS Roma are pushing to sign Santos sensation Marcos Leonardo, who the Italian giants have identified as a top target this summer.
The Giallorossi have been in talks with the Brazilian club over a potential transfer and reportedly submitted an offer worth €10 million plus €8m in bonuses.
However, Santos’ technical director Falcao issued a discouraging response to Roma, stating that the Italian club’s offer was short of their valuation.
Sky Sport Italia reports that Roma have not given up their pursuit and are preparing a new offer to convince Santos regarding payment terms.
Leonardo’s eagerness to move to Roma has given the Giallorossi the impetus to proceed with the deal.
Roma’s search for a new striker to replace injured Tammy Abraham hasn’t gone according to plan.
West Ham United’s Gianluca Scamacca seemed to be the top candidate, and the Giallorossi had been working hard all summer to get the deal done.
However, the Italian striker has snubbed the capital giants in favour of a move to Serie A rivals Inter Milan.
Leonardo has emerged as the top alternative for Roma, but he wouldn’t be a direct replacement for Abraham and is seen as a signing for the club’s long-term future.
He is regarded as the next big prospect to come out of Brazil and was one of the finds of the FIFA U20 World Cup, where he bagged five goals.
Roma have also expressed interest in free agent Alexis Sanchez, who previously worked under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez is close to leaving Roma, with Nottingham Forest in advanced talks over his signing.
