Mourinho hints at Bonucci snub but has ‘no info’ about Renato Sanches leaving Roma

José Mourinho hints that Roma won’t sign Leonardo Bonucci because fans are against the deal, but he has ‘no info’ about Renato Sanches leaving the Stadio Olimpico in January.

Multiple reports in Italy claim the Giallorossi won’t sign Bonucci in the January transfer window after fans protested on social media for the potential signing of the former Juventus star.

At the same time, Portuguese midfielder Sanches has been tipped to leave the capital in January as the Portuguese midfielder has been struggling with injuries at Roma and was subbed off after barely 20 minutes since his introduction from the bench in an away game at Bologna two weeks ago.

Mourinho was asked for transfer updates during a press conference on Friday and whether he needs a new centre-back in the winter transfer window.

“Need? No, zero need. Desire yes,” he replied.

“I feel comfortable speaking about Renato because he is our player. As for Bonucci, I don’t feel comfortable. I think he must be respected and the way to do it is to not talk about a player under contract with Union Berlin. I see no reason to talk about Bonucci.”

Can fans influence a negotiation as it seemingly happened with Bonucci?

“It’s a very personal opinion. I always say that the club’s heart is the fans, but there are owners and structures who are sovereign and must decide,” Mou replied.

“When you do something that the fans really like, you are fuelling that passion and that love. When you do something they don’t like, I think it shouldn’t be done and I can’t say more than this.

“As for Renato, I have no information about his chances to leave. No information,” he continued.

“Neither from Renato nor from his agents who are also mine. Not a message, not a word about his situation and we are talking about the same agents.

“I have no info from Pinto and no information about Renato leaving. Obviously, he is going through a difficult situation, and it’s complicated for me, too, but I have no news about him [leaving].”

Will he be available against Juventus?

“It’s a doubt because the week hasn’t been tidy in terms of work. He hasn’t worked like all the others. Surely, he won’t play; we will decide if he joins the team or not.”

Sanches joined Roma on loan from PSG last summer and has scored one goal in nine appearances across all competitions this term.