Roma Transfer Rumors: Simon Kjaer Return to Serie A at the Deadline

Former Palermo defensive stalwart Simon Kjaer appears likely to make his Serie A return, just one year removed from a €13 million deal that sent him to Bundesliga side VFL Wolfsburg.

After experiencing a less than stellar campaign, in which the defender saw his form suffer and new club narrowly avoid regulation from the German first tier, the Dutch international has been deemed surplus to manager Felix Magath’s requirements.

Having been granted permission to seek pastures anew by Magath himself, the 22-year-old center-back has set his sights on becoming the latest of Luis Enrique’s acquisitions to AS Roma for a fee in the vicinity of €10 million.

In spite of the player’s difficult experience abroad, Kjaer would do much to shore up and improve a backline that dearly misses the departed Philippe Mexes, who left for Serie A titleholders AC Milan on a free transfer earlier this summer.

At 1.89 m (6'2"), the powerfully built defender will strike a fierce presence at the back and on corners for many seasons to come. In truth, Kjaer’s youth may be his greatest asset to a Giallorossi squad overburdened by members on the wrong side of 30 and well past their individual bests.

Considering the state of the Roma defense which has been embarrassed time and time again no more than three games in, the Dane may well become the Italian club's greatest addition of a very busy window.