Though the most praise was set aside for coach Eusebio Di Francesco and the astute recruitment policy of director of football Monchi, which in the past saw the Spaniard win a record five Europa Leagues at Sevilla, plaudits were again received by Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson for keeping a clean sheet against a shocked Barcelona that crashed out on away goals to Roma in the Champions League last night.
Now among Europe’s top keepers - as well as a certified starter for the Brazilian national side who has played the most minutes under coach Tite and was even handed the captain’s armband recently whilst keeping Manchester City’s Ederson on the bench - there has been no end to the rumours linking the former Internacional man with the continent’s biggest clubs.
Among them are Liverpool and Real Madrid - who seemed to have shifted their attention away from the capture of Manchester United’s David de Gea and seek a replacement for Costa Rican international Keylor Navas – in developments that have urged Roma president James Pallotta to speak out on the 25-year-old’s future.
Pallotta, who will be keen to keep as many members of his overachieving squad as possible irrespective of whether they go on to lift the Champions League or not, remains confident of keeping Alisson whilst pointing out that his player still has three years to run on his contract. What’s more, an improved deal that would add an extra financial incentive to continue plying his trade in the Italian capital will also be tabled in the coming months.
“Why should he leave?” asked Pallotta “He’ll stay. He has a contract” it was insisted. Be that as it may, even the most optimistic of minds would fail to deny the lure of La Liga and Premier League clubs. Should Alisson put in the shift expected of him at the World Cup this summer - and especially in the case that his country were to lift the trophy for a record sixth time - both his wage demands and list of suitors will increase dramatically and hand Pallotta a further headache.
