Il Romanista have reported that Roma sporting director Monchi and Federico Balzaretti, who oversee Roma’s players on loan, flew to Portugal on Friday afternoon from Fiumicino and will return today for the match against Cagliari. However, there is mystery surrounding Monchi’s intentions for the trip.
Jonathan Silva, who is on loan at Roma from Sporting, is unlikely to remain as the club do not appear ready to exercise their option to buy and it’s unlikely Monchi travelled to Portugal for this purpose. It is thought that Monchi may have gone to the Benfica headquarters to talk about Brazilian attacking midfielder Talisca, who is currently on loan at Besiktas – the Turkish club have an option to buy him for around €20 million. Another name, though, has been rumored to be the subject of their voyage: Rodrigo Battaglia, Argentinian midfielder of Sporting who possesses an Italian passport.
Given that the pair were still spotted in Lisbon late yesterday, it’s very likely they attended the Derby match between Benfica and Sporting.
