Article by Dragoș Petrescu – Published on Sunday, 23 November 2025, 17:44 / Updated on Sunday, 23 November 2025 17:45
AS Roma is preparing a double blow on the transfer market in the winter mercato period, and both targets of the “Giallorossi” are players registered at Manchester United.
The complete program of stage #12 in Serie A
Gasperini doesn't give up! The 67-year-old Italian technician of those from AS Roma told the heads of the Olimpico group which are the footballers he wants to have at his disposal starting from January.
Surprisingly or not, the first two names on the Italian's list are the players of Manchester United, with whom the “Giallorossii” also negotiated in the summer, but then, none of the moves materialized.
Gasperini awaits Zirkzee and Sancho at the Olimpico
According to journalist Niccolò Ceccarini of “Tuttomercato”, Roma plan to reopen negotiations with Manchester United to bring Joshua Zirkzee (24) and Jadon Sancho (25) to the Olimpico this winter.
As for the Dutchman, who is an active part of the “devils” team at the moment, there is talk of a loan period until the end of the current season, and if the Italian club will qualify for the Champions League, then the transfer would become a permanent one.
In the case of Sancho, however, the situation is a little more delicate. His contract expires at the end of the current season, and at the moment, the Englishman is on loan at another Premier League club, namely Aston Villa.
Jadon Sancho playing for Aston Villa against Liverpool at Anfield (2025/26 season) // PHOTO: Getty Images
However, from the information provided by the Italian journalist, it seems that United has full rights to decide the future of the Englishman even in this case, and considering that the agreement between the two parties (club-player) will expire in the summer of next year, the Old Trafford group is tempted to sell him definitively this winter, in order to collect a sum of money in exchange for him, even a small one.
Interestingly, Roma were also in talks with United for the two players a few months ago, but in the end, none of the strikers ended up at the Olimpico.
In Zirkzee's case, the two clubs did not agree on additional loan terms. On the other hand, Sancho turned down the transfer at the last minute, preferring to stay in the Premier League and sign with Aston Villa.
If Zirkzee and Sancho miss out on the Olimpico transfer again, Gasperini has backup options
The Italian technician does not remain uncovered, however, even if the two transfers fail again. According to the newspaper “Corriere dello Sport”, Gasperini has backup options.
The most circulated names also come from the Premier League. It is about Mathys Tel (20 years old), the French footballer from Tottenham Hotspur, who also played for Bayern Munich, and Claudio Echeverri (19), the Argentinian who is currently playing at Bayer Leverkusen, on loan from Manchester City.
Currently, Roma is considered one of the big favorites to win the “Scudetto”, thanks to the good start of the season in Serie A. After the first 11 stages, the “Giallorossii” occupy the second position in the ranking, being equal on points with the leader Inter, the team led by Cristi Chivu.
Serie A standings:
