Rudi Garcia still eyeing replacements for Lamela and Osvaldo when January comes.
Roma are plotting an ambitious double raid on Manchester United this January, with CaughtOffside understanding that they will try to bring in both Shinji Kagawa and Javier Hernandez from the Red Devils.
Both Kagawa and Hernandez are currently unsettled at Old Trafford after failing to break into David Moyes’ first-team plans this season, and were linked several times with moves away this summer.
Japanese international playmaker Kagawa has only been with the Premier League champions for a year, having joined after an impressive spell in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, but injuries hampered his progress last term and look to have put him out of the thoughts of new manager David Moyes.
Dortmund were one of the clubs thought to be keen on taking him back this summer, though the 24-year-old expressed a desire to fight for his place in United’s starting lineup, despite admitting his frustration at the current situation under Moyes.
Atletico Madrid were another club thought to be keen on Kagawa, and the Spanish outfit were also one of several linked with Mexican striker Hernandez, who has failed to push on after a highly impressive first season in England.
The former Guadalajara man scored 20 times in his debut campaign for United, helping them to the Premier League title, though he struggled to remain a regular fixture in the starting lineup over the next two seasons, leading to speculation that he might look to leave the club.
The likes of Juventus and Valencia were also interested in signing him this summer, though he turned down a formal offer with the latter after also deciding that, like Kagawa, he would accept the challenge of fighting it out for a starting spot.
However, Roma will be hoping they have some luck in persuading them to join this January, as well as persuading United to let go of these two unsettled backup players.
Rudi Garcia’s side had to deal with the loss of Erik Lamela and Pablo Osvaldo during the summer, with the attacking midfielder and the striker joining Tottenham and Southampton, respectively, leaving the Italians somewhat short in attack.
Kagawa and Hernandez would be ideal direct replacements for the departed pair, with the former a creative attacking midfielder, and the latter a clinical goal-poacher, giving Roma an exciting new-look attack.
Although the sales of Lamela and Osvaldo have given them significant money to spend, United are likely to command over £35m for the pairing of Kagawa and Hernandez, as they won’t be keen to lose two squad players in one go.
Roma were also keen on Chelsea backup striker Demba Ba before the summer transfer window closed, and they may rekindle their interest in the Senegalese international as well if their moves for Hernandez prove unsuccessful. They had also shown interest in another United player Nani, though he has recently signed a new five-year deal with the club.