Barcelona open talks with Alessio Romagnoli

Barcelona and 27-year-old Italian international Alessio Romagnoli have reportedly opened a dialogue to clinch a Bosman move in the summer.

According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Alessio Romagnoli and Barcelona have opened talks over a possible Bosman move in the summer transfer window. The 27-year-old Italian international is destined to leave AC Milan as a free agent when the ongoing campaign ends.

Alessio Romagnoli has established himself as one of the best defenders in Serie A since joining AC Milan from AS Roma in August 2015. The player gradually grew in stature at San Siro before becoming the club captain a few years ago. But his stock has fallen in the past year as he has fallen down the pecking order.

The 27-year-old has turned out 246 times for AC Milan, chipping in with ten goals and three assists in the process. But Romagnoli looks set to leave the Serie A club as a free agent in the summer transfer window, with his contract running out in a few months. Such a development has captured the attention of Barcelona.

The interest from Barcelona stems from the rampant uncertainties surrounding the futures of Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti. The French duo will likely leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window, prompting the Blaugrana to pursue a left-footed centre-back.

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Romagnoli is thus a viable target for Barcelona, with Lisandro Martinez also reportedly on their radar. And according to AS, the Catalan giants have opened discussions with the 27-year-old Italian international over a possible Bosman move in the summer transfer window.

One of the factors favouring Barcelona in the pursuit of Romagnoli is the presence of Mino Raiola in the AC Milan captain’s camp. So while the former AS Roma defender has been heavily linked with a Bosman move to Lazio, he could join Barcelona instead ahead of the 2022/23 season.

The La Liga heavyweights seem likely to bolster their defence considerably in the summer transfer window, with Andreas Christensen on the verge of joining them. And it will not be surprising to see Romagnoli join Barcelona in a Bosman move to replace either Umtiti or Lenglet.