Atletico Madrid’s Matteo Ruggeri is being tracked by AS Roma. The 23-year-old full-back, who Gian Piero Gasperini nurtured at Atalanta, is in the Giallorossi’s sights despite recent popularity in the Spaish capital. 

The 23-year-old Ruggeri has steadily become a regular under Diego Simeone. He has started eight of Los Colchoneros’ last nine games, with his left-back rivals David Hancko and Javi Galan no longer arriving as a cause for concern. Hancko has been pushed up into defensive midfield, while Galan has been sold on to Osasuna.

Despite this, and confidently awaiting Gattuso’s Azzurri call-ups for the March play-offs with renewed hope, Ruggeri is linked to a return to Italy.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Bergamo native will leave only if Atletico find a suitable replacement. For this reason, discussions with Roma haven’t yet been initiated.

When the pink football paper interviewed Ruggeri before the match against Inter at the end of November, he told of close contact with Gasperini. To paraphrase, “their bond is deep, and the idea of ​​working together again appeals to both.”