/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57622039/868746354.jpg.0.jpg)
I sometimes wish we had some sort of internal auditor or ombudsman because we so frequently report on transfer rumors that I tend to wonder what percentage of them actually come to fruition. Chances are that our success rate is infinitesimal, but they’re fun to talk about, right? While not on quite the same level of absurdity, it seems like we’ve passed along our fair share of contract extension stories over the years. From Miralem Pjanic back in the day to Daniele De Rossi to the will they or won’t they Radja Nainggolan affair, covering the ins and outs of Roma’s internal business is nearly as frustrating as following the transfer market.
Without even looking, I’m quite certain we’ve talked about Kostas Manolas’ new deal several times in 2017, particularly when it looked like he was being banished to Russia, but where does that new deal stand now? Has anyone heard a peep about Manolas’ future in Rome?
So with that context it mind, let’s talk about the probably-but-not-really pending contract extension for Diego Perotti, Roma’s 29-year-old playmaker extraordinaire. Perotti, you may recall, moved to the Giallorossi during the winter of 2016, arm in arm with Stephan El Shaarawy, and it didn’t take long for Perotti to wow spectators at the Olimpico.
With his deft touch, ability to pick out a cross and surprisingly strong dribbling skills, Perotti quickly made a name for himself with the Roma faithful, putting several uncertain years bouncing from Sevilla to Boca Juniors to Genoa behind him. Now that Francesco Totti has retired, Perotti is Roma’s best on-the-ball playmaker, full stop. He may not wow you with an array of stepovers or YouTube worthy jukes and faints, but when Edin Dzeko gets hangry, Perotti is the hand that feeds him.
Take that, his positional versatility (at least on the forward line), and his practically catatonic approach from the penalty spot and it’s not hard to see why Roma would like to hang onto Perotti, as word broke today that the club and player are working on a new extension that would keep the Argentine with Roma through 2021.
Now, we haven’t the slightest idea if and when this will happen, but Perotti has certainly earned an extension. He’s the perpetually overlooked nice guy among a horde of bros, but it’s high time Perotti got his due.
Get this man a new contract, asap.