Could Roma Take a Run at Schick?

Now that the Riyad Mahrez to Roma rumors are practically dead, it seems as though Monchi is broadening the scope in the search for an additional attacker. In the wake of the Mahrez deal falling apart, to the extent that it ever existed in the first place, Roma has primarily been connected to Lucas Vazquez (more of an attacking mid), Hakim Ziyech (more of an attacking mid/trequartista) and now Patrik Schick (more of a pure striker/guy they should have bought instead of Defrel). So, if nothing else, Monchi realizes Roma at leasts needs something before the transfer window slams shut.

Schick, you may recall, could have been had by virtually any Italian club last summer for a paltry €4 million but wound up at the Luigi Ferraris with Sampdoria. In his maiden season in Serie A, the 21-year-old forward availed himself quite well, bagging 11 goals in 32 appearances with Samp, netting an additional two goals in the Coppa Italia.

And if you’ve been following the transfer market this summer, you no doubt know that Schick was practically, and for all intents and purposes, a Juventus player as recently as three weeks ago. After tapping his €30 million buyout clause, it seemed as though the Old Lady had done it again, using their financial might to pluck a key player from one of their neighbors.

However, thanks to failing two medicals due to a temporary heart ailment, Juve backed out of the deal on July 18th, leaving Schick’s future in limbo. With virtually no desire to remain with Sampdoria, it seemed as though Schick was in for quite an awkward season. That is, unless, you believe the latest reports spewing from the Italian media that suggest that Schick, presumably cleared to play, is once again on the open market.

La Repubblica reported this morning that Schick, fresh off a mandated 30-day rest period, will once again test the transfer waters, with Roma, Inter Milan and Juventus all joining the fray. On the surface, it would seem that Juve would hold the pole position simply because they had practically signed Shick last month, but it’s not as if Juve has been sitting idly since then. With Federico Bernardeschi, among others, wearing the black and white now, Schick’s path to playing time isn’t as free and clear as it once was.

Despite the ambiguity over his future, it’s hard to imagine Roma ponying up €30 million to land Schick, especially not when they “over-invested” in Gregoire Defrel, a player who would ostensibly serve the vice/alternative Dzeko role, unless, god help us all, he’s our starting right winger in 12 days, which is increasingly looking like a possibility.

So, yeah, Schick would be nice, but it doesn’t seem in the cards.