Serie A title challengers Roma have moved to plug the hole left by injured Juan Iturbe and new AC Milan signing Mattia Destro by signing Cagliari striker Victor Ibarbo on a six-month loan deal.

Colombian international Ibarbo will remain with Roma until June 30, with the chance to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.

A club statement said: "Roma announces the club has reached agreement with Cagliari for the loan of Victor Ibarbo until June 30, 2015 for a sum of 2.5m euros.

"The agreement contains an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for a transfer fee of 12.5m euros."

Iturbe could be out for the rest of the season after the Serie A side confirmed Sunday the Argentinian has ligament damage in both his knee and ankle after being forced off in the 1-1 home draw with struggling Empoli on Saturday.

It is Roma's second significant blow in recent days, after Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman underwent keyhole surgery on his troublesome left knee, which has left huge doubts over the rest of his season.

Roma, who sit second in Serie A, seven points behind champions Juventus, also have influential defensive midfielder Daniele De Rossi out for a month.

Roma on Friday moved quickly to replace Destro by signing CSKA Moscow forward Seydou Doumbia on a four-and-a-half-year deal worth 14.4m euros.

The 27-year-old's arrival, following the Africa Cup of Nations, will also help fill the space left by the departure of Destro to AC Milan.