AS Roma are actively working to reshape their squad dynamics, particularly in midfield, to align with the tactical philosophy of their newly appointed coach, Gian Piero Gasperini. This strategic overhaul involves identifying and securing specific player profiles to fit the desired system.
Reports indicate that the club is currently navigating parallel transfer negotiations for two prominent midfield targets, aiming to keep both potential deals viable as they assess which one might materialize first. It`s a common, albeit delicate, dance in the transfer market – pursuing multiple options to ensure reinforcements arrive.
The Pursuit of Richard Rios
The Colombian midfielder Richard Rios, currently with Palmeiras, appears to be Roma`s primary target. Recent developments suggest a significant step has been taken to bridge the valuation gap between the clubs. According to sources including Sky Sport Italia, Roma`s latest proposal has increased their offer, reportedly amounting to €25 million plus an additional €5 million in performance-related add-ons.
This revised bid brings the potential total value of the deal to €30 million. While this significantly closes the distance to Palmeiras`s stated asking price of €30 million plus bonuses, it still leaves a difference of approximately €5 million plus potential variable payments. Negotiations are ongoing as the Italian club seeks to reach a definitive agreement for the player who has emerged as a key figure in their transfer strategy.
Keeping Tabs on Neil El Aynaoui
Simultaneously, Roma has not abandoned their interest in Neil El Aynaoui of RC Lens. While reports had previously suggested that personal terms might have been agreed upon with the player, securing an agreement with his current club presents a different set of challenges.
RC Lens are understood to value El Aynaoui highly, with suggestions that they would be reluctant to sell for a figure below €30 million. A recent observation from a pre-season friendly match against Standard Liege provided a hint about the state of affairs; El Aynaoui featured for 45 minutes. His coach, Pierre Sage, commented post-match, “if he had been ready to leave, he wouldn’t even have played a minute of football today,” a statement that might be seen as either a firm declaration of intent or perhaps a subtle negotiation tactic. Regardless, it underscores the difficulty Roma faces in prying the midfielder away from the French club at a potentially lower price point.
A Strategic Balancing Act
AS Roma`s approach highlights the complexities of the summer transfer window. By pursuing both Rios and El Aynaoui concurrently, the club maintains flexibility, hoping that a breakthrough in one negotiation can secure the necessary midfield reinforcement. The differing valuations and club stances for each player mean that while the offer for Rios is numerically closer to the demand, the situation with El Aynaoui involves navigating the club`s willingness to sell and potentially a high fixed price. The coming days will likely reveal which of these parallel tracks leads to a successful signing for the Giallorossi.
