Roma turn to Real Madrid forward Endrick after cooling interest in Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde

Roma have shifted their focus away from Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde and are prioritising a move for Real Madrid forward Endrick in the January transfer window.

The Italian club had been linked with Balde in recent weeks, with reports suggesting they were considering a deal for the Spain international. However, transfer journalist Matteo Moretto says Roma are no longer treating the defender as a priority.

Speaking on La Pizarra de Quintana on Radio MARCA, Moretto said Balde was increasingly open to leaving Barcelona because he had not been given the playing time or leading role he expected.

“Balde could leave Barcelona in January and is more open to departing,” he said. “It is clear that he will not have a guaranteed starting place in the team; he is not getting any playing time or a leadership role. The player is seriously considering it.”

Moretto acknowledged the links between Balde and Roma but said the club’s recruitment plans had moved in a different direction.

“Balde has been linked with an Italian club, Roma, and I know that very well… but Roma have other priorities,” he said.

“Roma’s priority is to sign forwards, not defenders.”

Endrick emerges as Roma target

Endrick is now among Roma’s leading targets, with the Real Madrid forward also potentially set to leave the club in January.

Moretto believes the possibility of a departure for the Brazil international is becoming increasingly likely, although the player has not made a final decision.

“I do not think Endrick has completely decided whether to stay or leave, but it seems to me that leaving is the more likely outcome,” he said.

The journalist said the situation contrasted with the position expressed by Jose Mourinho, who has repeatedly stressed Endrick’s importance and the need for him to remain at Real Madrid.

“Although Mourinho always insists on his importance and the necessity of him staying, it depends largely on what Real Madrid want,” Moretto said. “But in this case, it depends more on what Endrick wants.”

“For me, based on a combination of information and instinct, he will leave.”

Roma are considered the leading option for Endrick, although Moretto said Inter and several Premier League clubs were also interested.

“Roma are in the strongest position, but Inter want him as well, along with other teams from the Premier League,” he said.

Moretto added that Carlo Ancelotti could have an influence on the Brazilian’s decision.

“Ancelotti will advise him,” he said.

He also claimed that Endrick’s departure was possible despite Mourinho’s public comments that the player would stay.

“What I can confirm 100% is that when Mourinho said Endrick would definitely remain, I discovered that would not be the case,” Moretto said.

According to previous reports, Endrick has attracted interest from several European clubs, including Roma and Sporting Lisbon. His limited involvement has made it increasingly difficult for him to continue the season in his current role, having played 140 minutes in seven matches and started one of them, against Sevilla.