AS Roma are reportedly closing in on a deal to bring Tottenham defender Federico Fazio to the Serie A.
Sky Sports have reported that Federico Fazio is on the move away from the White Hart Lane to Serie A club AS Roma. The report states that Mauricio Pochettino has deemed his fellow countryman surplus to requirements and has marked the Belgium duo of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld as starters in the central defensive role with Austrian international Kevin Wimmer as a backup.
It is reported that Roma are looking to take the central defender on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent in exchange of a fee close to €3.5m at any point during the loan spell. Pochettino is expected to give preference to youth available at his disposal, apart from the three first-team central defenders and Fazio would seemingly find his game time marginalised if he chooses to stay with the Spurs.
Roma, on the other hand, has seen their star defender Mario Rui suffer a serious injury in the pre-season that is sure to keep him away from first-team action for a substantial period. The situation has forced manager Luciano Spalletti to delve into the market in search of a central defender to improve his options at the position and he has identified Fazio as an ideal candidate, according to Sky Sports.
From leading his former employers Sevilla to a Europa League triumph and joining Tottenham the following year to making just 4 league appearances for the same Sevilla side while being loaned out to the La Liga side last season, Federico Fazio has seen his fortunes change quickly. The 29-year-old started off on the right foot making 20 Premier League appearances in his debut season with Tottenham but was soon down in the pecking order following the signing of Kevin Wimmer. The player was loaned back to Sevilla for the 2015-16 season, where he failed to make an impact appearing in just four La Liga games (stats via whoscored).
The deal looks like it could benefit both the clubs and the player himself. Fazio would get some much needed regular first-team football while Roma would get their hands on a replacement for the injured Mario Rui and Tottenham would free some wages and get a chance to promote their youth.
