Roma have reportedly sent a formal offer worth €5m to Club America for Israel Reyes, although Sporting CP right-back Ivan Fresneda is a more expensive option.
The Giallorossi had assumed that Zeki Celik would sign a new contract with them, just a few weeks after his previous deal had expired, but were shocked when he suddenly turned around and joined Juventus as a free agent instead.
Roma make opening Reyes offer
Now they must find a suitable replacement and the Corriere dello Sport suggests they have turned towards Mexico international Reyes.
It is reported Roma made an opening offer worth €5m to Club America for the versatile 26-year-old.
He can play as a right-back, or a central defender, and even in a defensive midfield role if required, so is a genuine replacement for Celik.
It remains to be seen if that will be enough to convince his club, with a contract running to December 2028, after he made four appearances in the 2026 World Cup for Mexico.
The asking price is believed to be closer to €6-7m for Reyes, who has 38 senior caps for Mexico.
Another potential candidate for right-back is Fresneda, who turns 22 in September and impressed since his €9m move to Sporting CP in the summer of 2023.
He would be considerably more expensive and has also been linked with Real Madrid.
Rafik Belghali had been an option, but the Hellas Verona man seems closer to Olympique Marseille.
Source: Football Italia