With the January transfer window opening in just a few weeks time, River Plate can expect plenty of interest once more for Colombian centre back, Éder Álvarez Balanta. The 21-year-old has made himself one of the most sought after defenders in world football since bursting into the River first team and Italian title hopefuls, Roma hope to beat the competition to the youngsters signature.

Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini is reportedly set for talks with River over the possible transfer of Balanta in the new year after River Vice-president Matias Patanian admitted: “Of course we would want to sell our players to the team that gets closest to our value.”

With River Plate struggling for funds, this value is said to be somewhere around the €10 million mark and for a player with the potential of Balanta this would be seen as a bargain for many high-profile clubs in Europe.

Roma would certainly fall into that bracket as they attempt to wrestle the Serie A title away from Juventus, who themselves have been linked previously. Roma are certainly looking for reinforcement in defense after injuries to Leonardo Castan and recently, on loan centre back, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

Balanta has found playing time hard to come by this season in the Monumental after he missed pre season as a result of being with Colombia for the World Cup, then picked up an injury, only to return and find Marcelo Gallardo’s River side sweeping aside all competition.

Minus the always impressive Balanta, River still had the best defensive record in the country and so the 21-year-old had to bide his time on the bench. On the occasions he has been called upon he has been his commanding self at the back.

The reason the likes of Roma and Manchester United are so keen on Balanta is that there are probably few more rounded 21-year-old defenders in the world. Quick and strong, both in the air and in the tackle, a good reader of the game and comfortable on the ball, Balanta possesses all the attributes to be an elite defender.