Are Roma Lining Up an Alisson Renewal or an Alisson Sale?

While Roma ultimately only sold Emerson Palmieri during the winter transfer window, the mere fact that Edin Dzeko and Radja Nainggolan both appeared in somewhat credible and definitely consistent transfer rumors should have raised our suspicions about the real financial state of this club. It simply did not make sense that Roma would have dispatched two such crucial players at once, much less during a winter window, unless something grave was looming over their heads.

That something grave? Yep, you guessed it, their old nemesis Financial Fair Play, which, according to some reports, is ready to make a mess of Roma’s roster once more. According to Calciomercato, Roma are working both sides of the fence here, simultaneously trying to batten down the hatches while preparing for the worst, another FFP June 30th forced sale.

On the proactive side of that equation, Roma are reportedly working on an extension for Alisson, one that would boost his salary to €5 million per season, which would not only make him Roma’s top wage earner, but vault him into the top five league wide. According to these reports, this new deal would include a €90 million release clause valid only to foreign clubs.

Sounds great, right? Well, almost too great it seems. In recent days, CM also reported that Roma may have to conjure up another €30 million or so in sales prior to June 30, 2018. Front and center in the firing line seems to be Alisson, who at this point would net well beyond thirty million, but also Radja Nainggolan and Lorenzo Pellegrini, and one would imagine Cengiz Under can be thrown in that discussion now, too. The usual culprits—Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich—are said to be eagerly awaiting Roma’s FFP fates. Of course, Roma’s potential windfall from the Champions League and/or a shirt sponsor could mitigate the extent of these sales.

Throwing yet another wrinkle into this affari, CM also proposes an Alisson for Mateo Kovacic swap deal, one that would (presumably) still net Roma that thirty large while also giving them a much needed boost in midfield.

Point being, this thing is a fucking mess, and Roma has no means of escape, to say nothing of a plan.