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Over the years, we've seen Roma's assortment of sporting directors take markedly different approaches to reshaping the Giallorossi's roster. From Walter Sabatini's infamous 11th hour night moves, which netted Roma players like Miralem Pjanic, to Monchi's supermarket sweep in which he signed nearly a dozen players before the window officially opened to Gianluca Petrachi's more measured approach, all we've really learned from Roma's transfer dealings over the years is that there is no perfect transfer method.
Ultimately, money talks and despite not having heaps of it, Roma have spun some pretty impressive deals over the years. So, will this awkward/extended transfer market be one for the ages or one for regret?
We'll soon find out.
Deadline Rumors
Chris Smalling
The negotiation that simply won't die only has a few more hours to find new life. Will Paulo Fonseca get his man?
#ManchesterUnited defender Chris Smalling has reportedly booked a private flight, prepared to quickly complete a move to #ASRoma tonight. #MUFC #SerieA #EPL https://t.co/zxHZQ3mvmg pic.twitter.com/CFxK3YgEv1
— footballitalia (@footballitalia) October 5, 2020
Alternatives to Smalling: Alderweireld, Rüdiger and Sokratis
Rudiger è la prima (e non unica) alternativa in caso di no dello United per Smalling | #Calciomercato #ASRoma https://t.co/VrcbGucL0K
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) October 5, 2020
Gianluca Di Marzio offers a few alternatives should Roma fail to land Chris Smalling before today's 20:00 CET deadline, including Spurs Toby Alderweireld, Arsenal's Sokratis and our old friend Toni Rüdiger.
Maybe He's Coming After All?
Done deal and confirmed! Chris #Smalling returns to #ASRoma from #ManchesterUnited on a permanent deal. He will sign a contract until 2023 (€3M/year). #transfers #MUFC https://t.co/sGcjU2bv1L
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) October 5, 2020
Stephan El Shaarawy
Situazione #ElShaarawy: al momento è tutto in stand-by per i problemi tra #Perotti e il #Fenerbahce, colloqui in corso per trovare una soluzione sul biennale. Il Faraone ha già detto di sì ad una riduzione dell'ingaggio, resta una distanza tra #ASRoma e #Shanghai sul prestito pic.twitter.com/44p9YI7IZn
— Filippo Biafora (@Fil_Biafora) October 5, 2020
While Roma and Shanghai Shenhua seem to have the framework of a one-year loan in place, much like their Edin Dzeko and Arkadiusz Milik deals, Roma's ability to land El Shaarawy may depend on whether or not they can spin Diego Perotti off to Fenerbahce.
Update:
Nessuna chance per il ritorno di #ElShaarawy, non ci sono i tempi tecnici per sistemare la questione con lo #Shanghai. Senza i problemi per #Perotti probabilmente sarebbe andata diversamente, ma questo è il mercato#ASRoma @tempoweb @Teleradiostereo
— Filippo Biafora (@Fil_Biafora) October 5, 2020
Due to delays with Perotti's pending transfer to Fenerbahce, it seems like El Shaarawy won't be returning to Roma after all.
Other Rumors
We'll update these throughout the afternoon, but the juiciest of these miscellanous rumors would see Pau Lopez leave for the Premiership.
Pau Lopez to Everton?
Everton are in talks with Roma about potentially signing Pau Lopez. He has a price tag of €22m (£20m). (Source: Corriere Dello Sport) pic.twitter.com/c4UUeu3vP2
— Everton Blue Army (@EvertonBlueArmy) October 5, 2020
Bernard to Roma?
Bernard could be heading to Roma claims report.https://t.co/lXohNaT4SN pic.twitter.com/XNRjmgIRo9
— Everton FC News (@LivEchoEFC) October 5, 2020
With El Shaarawy's move likely dead in the water, Roma may look to Bernard, who played under Fonseca at Shakhtar.
Done Deals
Justin Kluivert to RB Leipzig
Justin Kluivert has completed a loan move to RB Leipzig.
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) October 5, 2020
Good luck in the Bundesliga, Justin! #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/8xwQ2c6sBk
Diego Perotti to Fenerbahce
Diego Perotti has completed a move to Fenerbahce.
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) October 5, 2020
Thank you for everything, @D_10Perotti - and good luck with this new adventure! ❤️ #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/0J7ufCapMW
Diego Perotti, Roma's coolest ever PK taker, has finally sealed his move to Fenerbahce, ending his four and a half year stint in Rome.
Stay tuned, it figures to be a chaotic afternoon. We'll have a summary when the window closes as well as wrap-up podcast early tomorrow.