Speculation around Gabriel Sara’s Norwich City future has begun, with reports in Italy suggesting Roma are interested in signing him this summer.
Italian newspaper Leggo are reporting that incoming Roma sporting director Florent Ghisolfi, along with manager Daniele De Rossi, has identified Sara as a potential target.
De Rossi has publicly bemoaned the shortage of box-to-box midfielders within his squad during the latter stages of the Serie A campaign, and Ghisolfi believes Sara could be somebody who can fill that void.
Ghisolfi’s appointment is yet to be confirmed officially by Roma, but the Frenchman is cracking on with identifying potential targets within the financial means of the club.
The report adds that Sara’s versatility across midfield has given him the edge over other targets on Roma’s list, and conversations with his entourage are set to take place soon.
Norwich are inevitably braced for interest in Sara, who has been watched by multiple Premier League and European clubs throughout the season. Like Jon Rowe and Josh Sargent, several admirers are expected to be interested in him. If City did cash in, they would make extensive profit on the initial £6m they spent to make him their first signing directly from South America having spent four years in the region building up their knowledge.
City now employ two full-time scouts in the region and could be active once again this summer if the right opportunity arises.
Only Josh Sargent scored more Championship goals this season than Sara, 24, who spoke about his happiness at Carrow Road in a wide-ranging interview in the Guardian earlier this month.
“The level in the Championship is so high and the club, the structure, the pitch, is amazing, and the city’s welcome was so warm. It was like love at first sight. If I had the chance to do this move again, I would do it 100 times. It has really helped me develop as a player.”