Monchi Plans on Exercising Pellegrini Buyback from Sassuolo

Rather than focusing on the latest twist in the Daniele De Rossi contract renewal, which, if nothing else, serves as a refreshing change from the non-stop Francesco Totti retirement quagmire, we’re going to turn our eyes towards a slightly younger Roman, one whose best days remain ahead of him. However, as a quick aside regarding the latest twist in the DDR renewal, please keep this in mind; the link itself admits that snippet is part of a larger interview, so no need to throw yourself off a ledge just yet.

Anyway, back to the man at present, Lorenzo Pellegrini. While Roma’s present is inextricably caught up in its past, thanks to the uncertain future of the city’s two favorite sons, the future is becoming more certain, and dare I say, more Roman with the probable and/or impending return of young Pellegrini.

For the uninitiated, Pellegrini is as Roman as they come, born in the city proper and raised in AS Roma’s youth academy from the age of nine. Despite his pedigree and impressive measurables, Pellegrini was sold to Sassuolo in the summer of 2015 for the paltry sum of €1.25 million. The fine print in that deal is what brings us together today, Roma’s buy back clause, in the often cited €8 to €10 million range, a clause which Roma’s new director, Monchi, seems ready, willing and able to exercise.

Sky Sport Italia reports that Monchi will trigger this clause once the transfer window is open. What comes next, however, will tell us an awful lot about Monchi’s motivation. Does he see LP as an integral part of the club’s future or is he merely more transfer cannon fodder?

While the latter may ultimately be decided above his pay grade, Pellegrini has proven he’s capable of hacking it in Serie A, and as a natural born Roman, his return would go a long way towards healing some of the bad blood this administration has created with the more fervent fans.

Bottom line, this kid is going to be good and he fills an area of need. End of story as far as I’m concerned.