Monchi confident 'important player' will fill right wing role

The Spaniard has made it clear in recent weeks that a right winger to replace Mohamed Salah is his overriding remaining priority in the transfer market, although he admitted at a press conference last week that the club's pursuit of Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez had stalled after the failure of a second bid.

Speaking at another press conference on Thursday to unveil summer signing Lorenzo Pellegrini, Monchi confirmed that he was still pursuing a number of options for the forward role.

"On Mahrez, there is no change since the press conference we had to present Hector Moreno," Monchi said.

"I would like to make two points. Firstly, a squad like Roma, that has players of the quality of Pellegrini, Strootman, Nainggolan, Dzeko, Kolarov and so many others, does not need to think that their performances will depend on whichever right winger arrives. The squad we already have is enough of a guarantee.

"The second point is one of ambition: I don't know if Mahrez will arrive or if it will be someone else, but the player who does arrive will be an important player who can add quality to an already well-equipped team."

Pushed on the matter, Monchi was asked about a number of targets mentioned in the press in recent days.

"Today you talk about Emre Mor, yesterday it was Rodrigo Caio," Monchi said. "All the names that you have mentioned are interesting players, that maybe among our targets. But I don't want to talk publicly about that and create a circus."

See what else Monchi had to say during the press conference...

Are you only looking for a left-footed right winger?

“We do prefer a left-footer but more important than that is the type of player that comes in. Given the coach’s style of play, we need a winger who tends to cut inside, so a left-footed player would work better. That said, we would be happy with a right-footer who is capable of cutting in.”

How happy are you to have signed Lorenzo Pellegrini?

“One of my objectives when I joined Roma was to bring Lorenzo Pellegrini home. I’m really pleased to be here with him now. We’ve signed one of the best prospects in Italian football for now and the future.”

What can Pellegrini bring to the team?

“A lot. At Sassuolo he matured and developed in terms of technique, tactics and fitness. I’m sure he’ll be able to make a big contribution alongside his midfield team-mates, because he excels in all those areas.”

Roma had three big games in the USA. What did you make of them?

“In general they were good. We’re on the right track to achieving what the coach wants. There’s still lots to improve on, but it was important to face three big sides in Tottenham, PSG and Juventus. They have maintained their general structure, while we have a new coach and we looked competitive. I’m satisfied with that.”

Are you working on a new contract for Kostas Manolas?

“We’ve spoken to Kostas and I’ve told him what our thinking is. The club will set out the timescales and he has total faith in the club. We’ve shown that we deserve that through our dealings with [Daniele] De Rossi, Strootman and Nainggolan. There is mutual trust there.”

How are things going in terms of departures?

“We’re looking to find a resolution for [Norbert] Gyomber, [William] Vainqueur, [Leandro] Castan and [Juan Manuel] Iturbe. We’re optimistic – there’s still a month to go and we need to think about these players as people. We don’t want to force anyone to go anywhere they don’t want to.”

Apart from that, is a central defender all the squad is lacking?

“I talk to [Eusebio] Di Francesco every day and every move is made with his full agreement. Right now the priority is a right winger, but that doesn’t mean we won’t look at other areas.”