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Former Roma defender Medhi Benatia has revealed that Ricky Massara tried to take him back to the club in January, while he would answer the call if Gianluca Petrachi got in touch.
Benatia spent one successful season with Roma in 2013-14, joining from an Udinese side who had finished higher than the Giallorossi in the previous season. However, the Moroccan defender helped turn things around as part of a strong partnership with Leandro Castan at the back, seeing Roma rise back to a second-placed finish. He left at the end of that year in controversial circumstances, with president James Pallotta branding him a liar despite Benatia's claims he had wanted to stay, after signing for Bayern Munich. Five years on, Benatia, now plying his trade for Al-Duhail in Qatar, has suggested that Roma made contact to bring him back this year. "The last contact I had was with Ricky Massara, who asked me how I was doing in Qatar," he revealed to Tele Radio Stereo. "Roma will always remain a place where I always felt good. "When Ricky called me, I thought about it, then he went away and I stayed in Qatar, where I am fine. "In January he asked me if I could stay in Italy, for him my story with Roma hadn't finished. I gave my availability, but I didn't feel like staying for six months at Juventus, playing little. Then I looked around, in England and Qatar, and I chose the latter. Then Massara asked my availability for June, but then he went to Milan. When asked if he would respond if current sporting director Gianluca Petrachi called him, with Roma still in dire need of a new centre-back, he answered: "I always respond." Elsewhere in the interview, Benatia was quizzed about how close his international teammate, Hakim Ziyech, had been to Roma in 2018 - before Monchi chose to sign Javier Pastore instead. "It was before the World Cup," confirmed Benatia. "He talked to me about Roma, I told him to go to Roma, but the agreement didn't go through due to a question of money with Ajax, I believe. He knows how to make a difference, I am convinced that the Giallorossi should follow him." He also believes that former Juventus teammate Daniele Rugani could help Roma improve in defence, with talks with his entourage ongoing. "I know Rugani well, he is very young, he plays for Juventus and it is not easy to find space with champions like [Giorgio] Chiellini and [Leonardo] Bonucci in front of you. He is focused and attentive, as well as a great professional. I don't know if he will go to Roma, but if it is done, I am convinced that he will have a great career." Like the new Giallorossi Yorkshire Facebook page!
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The transfer window closes next Monday, so here is the last episode of Mercato Monday this summer - looking at two areas of need that were highlighted after Roma's draw with Genoa.
Davide Zappacosta has joined Roma on loan from Chelsea, it has been announced.
The Italian right-back will spend the first half of the 2019-20 campaign with Roma, who do not have an option to buy the player at the end of the loan, but do have the chance to extend his loan until the end of the season. Chelsea have also confirmed that he has signed a contract extension at Stamford Bridge, meaning they have tied him down until 2022. Zappacosta, who was born in Sora, a town in the Frosinone province of the Lazio region around 100km from Rome, told Roma's official website: “I am pleased to join Roma, after an experience overseas that helped me progress as both a player and a person. “Being able to play for a great club like this is a huge motivation – I cannot wait to start training alongside my new teammates.” The 27-year-old has spent the past two years at Chelsea, mainly serving as a back-up for Cesar Azpilicueta. Before that, he was signed and sold by Gianluca Petrachi at Torino, while he also has 13 caps for Italy, the most recent coming in 2018. Although he only made four Premier League appearances last season, he was a regular in Chelsea's Europa League lineups, with the club going all the way to lift the trophy. Roma, of course, will compete in the same competition this year, after their sixth-placed finish in Serie A last season. Zappacosta will wear the number two shirt, which has been vacated by Rick Karsdorp following the Dutchman's return to Feyenoord, also on a loan. Benvenuto, Davide.
The penultimate episode of Giallorossi Yorkshire's transfer video series Mercato Monday (and last one before the season begins) offers updates on Roma's pursuit of targets for three key positions before the window closes on 2nd September.
Roma may have been priced out of a move for Chelsea defender Davide Zappacosta, despite the English club being willing to let him leave.
The Italian has been suggested as a potential reinforcement at right-back for Roma following Rick Karsdorp's loan to Feyenoord, having been frozen out of the picture at Chelsea. Gianluca Petrachi both signed and sold him at Torino, and would be interested in the possibility of a reunion, as he is now effectively third choice at Stamford Bridge, behind Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James. However, Goal say that Chelsea have set the asking price for Zappacosta at €25m, which is beyond what Roma are willing to pay. One solution could be a loan with an option to buy, with Chelsea manager Frank Lampard admitting that the club are exploring all options. "Zappacosta is our player and Reece is probably out for three more weeks," he told reporters today. "That's a decision that will be made as we go on. "I've been really impressed with Zappa's attitude, quality and how he's trained. We have to make sure we're happy with the squad by the time the European window shuts. "That will be a decision for us and of course Zappa, because I want players happy. The professionalism he has shown since he's been here has been great and that can be an ongoing conversation. "The decision will be what's best for the club and for [him] individually as well." An alternative for Roma had been Napoli's Elseid Hysaj, but his value also appears to be too high. Meanwhile, left-back Leonardo Spinazzola has been able to cover there in pre-season, as he is right-footed. Roma have completed their sixth signing of the summer, bringing in Mert Cetin from Genclerbirligi.
The 22-year-old Turkish defender has signed a contract until 2024, but is expected to spend the first year of that out on loan at either one of the promoted sides in Serie A, or a higher-end Serie B team. However, he has still been assigned a squad number, with photographs presenting him with the number 15 shirt. That number has not been the luckiest for its last three owners, with fellow defenders Ivan Marcano, Hector Moreno and Thomas Vermaelen making a limited impact. Cetin helped Genclerbirligi to promotion back to the Turkish top flight last season, and his former side have received €3m for his signature - while they will retain a right to 10% of the sell-on fee for any sale worth more than €5m. The defender, who knows compatriot Cengiz Under, told Roma's website: “I am very pleased and excited to be here and to be able to represent Roma. “I am a young player and I know what it means to wear this shirt. It’s a feeling I can’t describe, I hope to be able to live up to the hopes of the club and the fans. “Serie A is a great league for defenders, and has been for a long time. I am certain that I can improve here and, with this great club, will be able to do great things.” Benvenuto, Mert. Join the Giallorossi Yorkshire fantasy football league before the Serie A season kicks off! Roma have confirmed the departure of Steven Nzonzi, who has joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan.
Nzonzi was one of the biggest signings of the last summer transfer window, but struggled to replicate the form that had seen him become a World Cup winner with France that year. Galatasaray can make the signing of Nzonzi permanent for a fee of €16m at the end of the season, while they also have the option to renew the loan for a second year, which will cost them €500,000. If they want to purchase him outright at the end of the second year of his loan - by which time his contract at Roma would have just one year left - then he will cost €13m. In total, Nzonzi made 39 appearances for Roma, with his best displays coming under Claudio Ranieri's short-term interim reign at the end of the campaign. Good luck, Steven.
Roma are expected to sign Turkish defender Mert Cetin within the coming hours - but it would not rule out an additional centre-back signing such as Dejan Lovren.
Paulo Fonseca has demanded to be provided with a new starting centre-back, with Federico Fazio not suited to his preference for a high line, despite still being a valuable rotation player. Roma seemingly missed out on primary target Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham Hotspur, meaning their focus has turned to Liverpool's Lovren - although they are set to bring Cetin in before the Croatian international. According to Il Tempo's Filippo Biafora and Sky Sport's Gianluca Di Marzio, Roma have agreed a deal with Genclerbirligi - who earned an immediate promotion back up from the Turkish second tier last season - for the 22-year-old defender, with the fee being in the region of €3.5m.
It is expected, however, that Cetin will be loaned out straight away, presumably to another Serie A side so he can acclimatise to the division. Therefore, Roma will still be able to pursue a high-level defender, with Lovren also believed to be close. Sky Sport say that Liverpool have accepted Roma's offer to take the vastly experienced Champions League winner and World Cup finalist on a season's loan with an obligation to buy for €25m once he reaches a certain number of appearances. Injuries have been a concern for Lovren in recent years, presumably a factor in the appearance clause, but he would still bring valuable experience to a young backline.
Your weekly video summary of the biggest Roma transfer news - featuring three potential signings in Mauro Icardi, Mariano Diaz and Daniele Rugani.
Manchester United are willing to offload forward Alexis Sanchez to Roma on loan, according to various reports.
Despite the English transfer window closing yesterday, United have no place in their plans for Sanchez, who has failed to live up to expectations since moving from Arsenal. According to reliable La Stampa journalist Matteo De Santis and Teleradiostereo, the Chilean has now been offered to Roma, with the English club even willing to pay most of his salary. De Santis warns, however, that it remains a difficult operation for Roma. Sanchez's European breakthrough came in Serie A more than a decade ago when he joined Udinese, and the former Barcelona man could be on his way back to Italy. The 30-year-old can play either as a winger or a central striker, which would help Roma account for the loss of Stephan El Shaarawy earlier this summer, and the impending lack of a centre-forward, with the futures of Edin Dzeko and Patrik Schick looking increasingly like they lie away from the capital. Dzeko is pushing for a move to Inter, to team up with another striker who has just left United in Romelu Lukaku, while a separate report from Gazzetta Dello Sport (via ForzaRoma.info) suggests that Paulo Fonseca has decided that Schick is not part of his plans after judging him in pre-season. The Czech forward has been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund, and it is claimed that Fonseca believes he lacks the appropriate character to succeed at Roma. Join the Giallorossi Yorkshire fantasy football league before the Serie A season kicks off! |
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