The Latest AS Roma News
It has been confirmed that Belgian international Radja Nainggolan has signed a contract extension with Roma to keep him at the club until 2021.
There have been some difficult moments for Roma fans this summer. The loss of Mohamed Salah to Liverpool, however necessary it was, was a big blow, and many fans were just as disappointed to see Antonio Rudiger join Chelsea. On top of that, of course, there was the minor issue of Francesco Totti, the greatest player in the club's history, retiring after 25 years with the club. However, there have also been signs for optimism. With a new head coach and a new sporting director, Roma are making a transition towards a team confident of achieving success. There have been some good deals in the market so far; Maxime Gonalons should do well this season in the midfield, Aleksandar Kolarov brings much needed experience at left back, and winger Cengiz Under could turn out to be a bargain. When Monchi announced that there would be no more major sales, with fans still hurting from the losses of Salah and Paredes, soon to be followed by Rudiger, it was essential for this team's success that he kept his word. His earlier exclamation that "Roma is not a supermarket" has been referenced hundreds of times in the press and by fans of rival teams. However, his assurance that Roma would lose no more key players looks to have been confirmed with the renewal of two key contracts. Earlier in the summer, Kevin Strootman renewed until 2022, a great deal for a player who enjoyed a fantastic 2016/17 season. And while we are still awaiting the renewal of Kostas Manolas's contract, with a now Leonardo Bonucci-less Juventus apparently interested, some more good news emerged yesterday, as the club confirmed a new deal for their best player last season. Midfielder Radja Nainggolan has been sought after by many clubs in recent years, and many feared he may follow Salah and Rudiger out of the Olimpico to a new club this year. Thankfully, this is not to be the case. Nainggolan, probably the best midfielder in the league last season, has signed a new contract that will keep him with Roma until 2021, by which time he will be 33. The 'Ninja' told the club that this was "what I always wanted" as he committed his long-term future to the club, where he has so far spent three and a half years. Up to now, he has played in 161 matches for the club, a number that is now set to increase further as he enjoys the best years of his career with the club he loves playing for. He donned the captain's armband a few times last season, as he stepped up to the plate as a leader of the team when the three Romans - Totti, Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Florenzi - were absent. And, like all players to wear that armband should, he is set to go on to become an emblem of this team over the next years of his contract. The importance of this deal is greater than any transfer that has been completed, signing or sale, during this year's summer window. Radja's renewal is a major positive for Roma, and fans can look forward to seeing the number 4 delivering the goods for them on the pitch on many more occasions.
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The full back positions have been an area of concern for Roma over recent seasons, but Monchi has already been hard at work to improve them this summer. Last month, he added Feyenoord's Rick Karsdorp on the right, and now it has been announced that Aleksandar Kolarov has signed from Manchester City for the left side.
The Serbian international has spent the past seven years in the Premier League with Manchester City, winning the Premier League with them twice. He also won the FA Cup once, League Cup twice and Community Shield once. He is clearly a player who knows how to win a trophy. At 31 years of age he comes with the experience that Roma need, which will perfectly supplement Emerson Palmieri once he returns from the sidelines. However, unlike 30+ full backs of recent years such as Maicon and Ashley Cole, his best years are not behind him, and he still has a lot to contribute at the top level. Defensively, he is competent, which is an upgrade on previous full backs to represent the club recently. He is also effective going forward, possessing great crossing ability and decent goal output for a player of his position. His Champions League experience will be vital for Roma this season. He has signed a three-year contract after his €5 million move from the Premier League. He said he was "extremely happy" to have joined the club. Benvenuto, Aleksandar. He's been linked with Roma for quite some time now, but today Gregoire Defrel has finally completed his move to the capital.
Aged 26, Defrel becomes the second player to follow head coach Eusebio Di Francesco from Sassuolo to Roma, after the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini earlier in the summer. He is a French striker who can also play on the wing. The agreement with Sassuolo is an initial 5 million euro loan deal which will be made permanent for 15 million euros when he reaches particular targets. The overall contract will be a five-year deal running until 2022. Upon signing, Defrel announced, "It means a lot to me to be able to play for Roma," and that he is "delighted" to have joined the club. Defrel has spent his entire playing career in Italy, and last season scored 12 goals in 29 Serie A appearances, the best return of his career so far. Benvenuto, Gregoire. With Emerson sidelined for the start of the season with injury, Mario Rui having joined Napoli, and Primavera full back Luca Pellegrini - who had been impressing in pre-season - suffering the same fate as Emerson, Roma need a new left back sooner rather than later. Two names appear to be at the top of Monchi's shortlist.
Firstly, Torino's Antonio Barreca has been linked with the Giallorossi. Fresh from featuring for Italy at the UEFA Under 21 European Championship, 22-year-old Barreca seems to be firmly on the agenda for Monchi. He would be a good investment for Roma, given that he is young, promising and Italian. Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Roma have offered 15 million euros for him, but Torino want 18 million. The heavy wave of Roma players leaving for Torino in recent years - Ljajic, Falque, Iturbe, Castan - may help a deal for a player moving the other way to be completed relatively easily. Another option for Roma, should they fail to capture Barreca, would be Jose Luis Gaya of Valencia. Also 22, Gaya has featured for Los Che in each of the past five seasons. Like Barreca, he featured at the Under 21 Euros, where his country, Spain, reached the final. Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague named a 19-year-old Gaya in his La Liga team of the season in 2014/15, and the player has continued to stand out since. The last couple of years have been difficult for Valencia, but Gaya has always been a bright spark for them. According to reports, Monchi is willing to spend about 18 million euros on him. Other names linked with filling the role have included Matteo Darmian, who is primarily right-sided but can play on the left, and PSV's Jetro Willems. Whilst these names are also options, it seems that Barreca and Gaya are the players that Monchi is really focusing his attention on. We knew he had played his last game for Roma, and he would need time to consider his next move, but today the future of Francesco Totti has been officially clarified – he is to become a director at Roma.
The 40-year-old has confirmed his retirement from professional football and has agreed to remain with his boyhood club, who he represented more times than any other player. The greatest player in the club’s history, Totti is highly regarded across world football for his loyalty to Roma, his only club, and his technical skill. Unfortunately the days of us witnessing that skill of his on the field are over, but he is to remain connected to the club, in a move that makes sense more than any other. The director role he is to take is as yet unspecified, as he himself is unsure of what role would best suit him. He is to collaborate with the top members of the club hierarchy, from President James Pallotta to general manager Mauro Baldissoni, and from head coach (and former teammate) Euesbio Di Francesco to sporting director Monchi, in order to discover where he will best fit in Roma’s future. This means he will likely experience many of the different roles at the club in more detail than ever before, and be available for Roma wherever he is needed. He posted this message on his social media platforms: “The first part of my life as a football player is over and now another more important one is about to begin. We start from square one. I need time to figure out, step by step, in a calm and sensible way, what role suits me better. For this reason, I’m putting myself at the disposal of this club, from the young players to the President. Until 28th May I only thought about playing football, having fun and making a significant contribution to the team. Now I move on, I’m turning over a new leaf. I will think about a new role that will amaze me and bring me plenty of good things. How should you call me? Keep calling me Francesco, as always.” The news of Totti’s decision to remain with Roma in an off-the-field role is one that will be warmly received by all fans, the people he gave so much for over a glistening 25-year career. Never before have a player and a club been so synonymous with one another, so it is extremely satisfying to know that the two will remain connected. As Roma look to a new future on the pitch, they can be content in the knowledge they will be guided off it, in whatever capacity, by the greatest legend in their history. It’s as good a time as any to say, Grazie, Francesco. AS Roma have completed the signing of Turkish winger Cengiz Under.
Aged 20, the wide man impressed for Istanbul Basaksehir last season, scoring seven goals. Under has 4 caps and 2 goals for Turkey and has stated that he is "delighted" to be at Roma, where he has signed a five-year contract. Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United were also interested in signing Under, who has been dubbed 'the new Dybala.' The fee for Roma's new number 17 is €13.4m, a record for a Turkish player in the Super Lig. In other transfer news, Roma have completed the permanent signing of Federico Fazio after his successful loan spell last season. Meanwhile, Mario Rui has left for Napoli on a season long loan with a performance-based obligation to buy. Young players Eros De Santis, Lorenzo Vasco and Matteo Ricci have also all left on loans, to Virtus Entella, Racing Club Roma, and Salernitana respectively. Under's signing is a positive for Roma who can continue to build on the current squad. Under adds depth to the side and his arrival shows that Roma can compete with big teams for new players. Hopefully Under will become a success in Italy. Benvenuto, Cengiz. The transfer mercato is slowly gathering momentum, and with that comes more rumours about players coming and going.
Today two names in particular have been linked with Roma: Anthony Martial and Matija Nastasic. For Martial, it is a loan deal being suggested for the Manchester United forward. The world's most expensive teenager when he moved to Old Trafford two years ago, he found consistent playing time hard to come by under Jose Mourinho last season, and may look to move elsewhere in order to rediscover his mojo. An exciting player who can feature on the wing or down the middle as a striker, Martial would certainly add to Roma's squad, but it remains to be seen whether this transfer is close or simply speculation. Meanwhile, reports of Nastasic's supposed move to Roma seem to be much further down the line. It is understood that a deal is close for the Schalke centre back, who has played in Italy before with Fiorentina. After struggling to make an impact at Manchester City, he moved to the Bundesliga in 2015. A defender with a range of desired qualities, the 24-year-old could be a shrewd addition for Roma, especially given the departure of Antonio Rudiger. The Gazzetta Dello Sport suggests the fee would be 12 million euros, the same price that Schalke paid for him. At Rick Karsdorp's unveiling yesterday, sporting director Monchi declared that Nastasic was a "good player" with "really interesting attributes." So, it may only be a matter of time before this transfer is sealed. Yesterday a deal was completed that means Antonio Rudiger is now a Cheslea player.
The German international moves to the Premier League side for a fee of 35 million euros plus add ons. He has signed a five year contract with the Blues. Toni spent two years playing for Roma, making 72 appearances in total, either as a centre back or right back. He became popular among the club's supporters during that time. He has since taken to social media to declare that leaving Roma was "not easy" due to his fondness for playing for the club. He now looks forward to a new adventure in England. AS Roma are continuing the search for Mohamed Salah's replacement on the right wing, and three more names have been highlighted as targets.
The club are primarily interested in signing PSG's Lucas Moura. The Brazil international, still only 24, registered 12 goals and 5 assists in Ligue 1 last season, as his team finished runners up to Monaco. Right footed, he can play in any attacking midfield position. Since arriving in Paris, he has featured in 38 Champions League games, experience that could be invaluable for Roma's affairs in that competition next season. The player would cost less than what Salah was sold for (the asking price is 30 million euros), whilst still contributing to the team's goal tally, which is what made the Egyptian so important in the first place. And Lucas may be available, with PSG linked to fellow Brazilian attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho, and Roma sporting director Monchi of course having a good relationship with the French club's manager, Unai Emery, after their time together at Sevilla. Another option for Roma is Andriy Yarmolenko, the Ukrainian winger who has spent the last ten years of his career at Dynamo Kiev. He is another experienced international, with 68 caps so far, at 27 years of age. Again, he would come with plenty of European football experience, and boasts a commendable goals to games ratio of over 1 in 3. The price for Yarmolenko would be in the region of 17 million euros, making him an economic option for his quality. The third winger to be linked to the club in recent weeks is former Newcastle player, Florian Thauvin, who has made his move to Marseille permanent. It is understood that Eusebio Di Francesco is keen on this player, who is 24 and has one cap for France. Like the departed Salah, he is a left-footed player, most comfortable on the right wing. He spent the most part of last season playing under former Roma boss Rudi Garcia. Meanwhile, on the transfer front, it has been suggested that Roma are going to make a big effort to sign Sassuolo forward Gregoire Defrel, whilst Di Francesco remains fond of Domenico Berardi. Defrel has been linked with a few Premier League clubs, such as Southampton and Leicester City, but reportedly wants Champions League football if he is to find a new club. As for Berardi, he is a talented young player, but Sassuolo's hefty asking price of 50 million euros may make Roma look elsewhere; several names linked with the club, such as Moura, would be available for less money, whilst arguably boasting better quality. Whoever comes in, let's hope he arrives soon, so that he can prepare with the rest of the team in an important pre-season. Roma are busy constructing a new look midfield in this transfer window.
Just a few days ago, the club confirmed the re-signing of former academy player Lorenzo Pellegrini, and another addition has now been made. Maxime Gonalons has today joined from Lyon, for whom he had been a one-club man until this point. The defensive midfielder has been brought in to add cover and competition for Daniele De Rossi, and at 28, is at the perfect age to offer this complementary competition. The transfer fee of just 5 million euros is exceptional given the state of the current market. Gonalons is a France international and has signed a four-year deal with the Giallorossi. He has won two major honours in his eight year club career, the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions. Departing Roma, meanwhile, is Leandro Paredes, the Argentine midfielder who had a fairly inconsistent season despite occasional flashes of brilliance. The 23-year-old has joined Zenit St Petersburg for 23 million euros, potentially rising to 27 million. He remains a player with big potential and many fans will be sad to see him go, although should feel positive about the new players brought in in that position. Grazie, Leandro, and benvenuto, Maxime! |
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