Real Madrid have been told that they are absolutely right to keep an eye on full-back Wesley França after he broke into life at Roma.
The 22-year-old is already said to be on the Spanish giants’ radar after scoring three goals in his first 13 Serie A games.
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Wesley, who only made his Brazil debut this year, impressed for Flamengo at the Club World Cup before moving to Europe.
The defender, who starred in the 3-1 win over Chelsea, rejected interest from Juventus in emulating Cafu and joining the Giallorossi.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly already watching Wesley with great interest, having helped Roma launch a title bid.
European football broadcaster Andy Brassell is not surprised by the interest but believes a transfer next month is unlikely.
He told The Pitch Prospect.com exclusively: “If you sign Wesley, he’s not just a right-back and a right-back. He’s also played at left-back and left-back for Roma. So he looks pretty versatile.”
“I would be surprised if he left in January. I think part of it is really down to Roma’s availability issue.”
“If they got a big offer for Wesley in the medium term and paid €25m (£21m) for him, it would have to be a big offer.”
“It would have to be a significant profit. I think you might be aiming for the €40-50m (£35-45m) mark and they would sell.
“Obviously they’re not in the strongest financial position ever. But they also have Devyne Rensch.”
“They have Angelino if he comes back, even if it has been suggested that he is not really Gian Piero Gasperini’s cup of tea. So they have other options.”
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Real Madrid is watching Wesley
“With the money they would get for Wesley, if they doubled or almost doubled their money, they would be in a good position to replace him,” Brassell continued to SPORT.
“It’s definitely something to keep an eye on in the future. Wesley was impressive.”
“What really impresses me about Wesley compared to a lot of other full-backs is not just his adaptability, that he can play left and right, and he’s very skilled in attack. He can actually defend as well.”
“Of course it’s now also more of a physical challenge at a high level and I think he’s adapted to Roma pretty quickly too.”
“So, yes, Real Madrid are absolutely right to keep an eye on him.”
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What does this mean for Trent?
Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be happy about links with another right-back as he recovers from his second injury as a Madrid player.
The ex-Liverpool player is not expected to be back until next year due to an ankle injury, as he has also been out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.
He was recently classified as having He had the worst start of ten English stars to complete overseas transfers last summer.
The 27-year-old finally scored his first assist for Madrid this month before suffering his latest injury later in the same game.
However, Brassell argued that Wesley’s versatility coupled with doubts about Dani Carvajal’s long-term future may not mean bad news for Alexander-Arnold.
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Real Madrid needs defensive options
“We don’t know how much longer Carvajal can hold out. Of course, he’s been injured again since his return, recently.”
“If I were Real Madrid I would really try to avoid Federico Valverde as a right-back. We know he can do a really good job.”
“We know he has the motor to come from deep. But they miss him so much in midfield when he’s not in midfield.”
“When it comes to the defensive stability of the team, the composition of the midfield plays a big role. And I think that is easily overlooked.”
“They don’t want Joshua Kimmich just because he’s capable there. They don’t want him to play there regularly.”
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“Of course you need cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was good at times but of course suffered these two serious injuries.
“I hope he comes back, but he’s still getting used to Spanish football, so I think Carvajal, when he gets fit, is the ideal replacement for him in the meantime.”
“But if we look in the long term, Real Madrid definitely needs defensive options. Because I think they also look at the left-back.”
“Alvaro Carreras was their best signing this summer. He did a great job at Benfica. At Real Madrid he looked like he was playing the role. He seemed really, really ready for it.”
“Someone who they gave a fair amount of change to, but who wasn’t someone you had to play all the time,” Brassell continued.
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“He wasn’t a superstar. And Wesley isn’t going to emerge as a superstar either.”
“He could emerge as an expensive player if he comes, but he won’t emerge because this guy is absolutely a superstar.”
“When it comes to Real Madrid, I think the political pressure to select someone comes more from their profile than from the fee spent on them.”
“So I could imagine that it would work in the medium term if it was the right money for Roma.”
“I trust that Real Madrid will relieve him in the right way.”