Roma give up on Man Utd outcast; turn attention to Raspadori & Yuri Alberto | OneFootball

Roma look set to gift Gian Piero Gasperini a new striker in January, with the current attacking department failing to fully convince.

The Dovbyk-Ferguson pairing has yet to provide the firepower needed for a team hoping to push higher up the table, and the club are preparing to invest in a profile capable of solving their long-standing goalscoring issues, without rushing into the wrong choice.

For weeks, Roma had been exploring a move for Joshua Zirkzee.

Now at Manchester United, the former Bologna forward fits many of Gasperini’s principles and was seen as an ideal tactical fit.

But the reality is far more complicated: United have no intention of sanctioning a loan and will only consider a permanent sale, as per reports from Sportal.

Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United gestures during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield on January 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Roma, constrained by both budget and strategy, cannot walk down that path. Despite Zirkzee’s clear quality, a return to Serie A appears almost impossible under these conditions.

After Zirkzee, Roma turn attention elsewhere

Attention has therefore shifted to other avenues.

One option is Giacomo Raspadori, who started brightly at Atlético Madrid but has struggled to secure consistent minutes under Diego Simeone.

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 30: Giacomo Raspadori of Atletico Madrid. looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Atletico de Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt at Estadio Metropolitano on September 30, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

However, a fresh name has emerged as a serious candidate: Yuri Alberto.

The 2004-born Brazilian, currently at Corinthians and already part of the Seleção setup, offers a blend of physical strength, technical skill and pace that appeals strongly to Gasperini’s style.

His valuation sits between €20-25 million, a figure Roma could realistically reach, provided at least one outgoing deal is completed in January.