When it rains transfer deals, it pours. Roma were only just working on finalising keeper Pau Lopez’s transfer yesterday and, today, look like having successfully convinced Atalanta to part ways with defender Gianluca Mancini and winning the race to land Fiorentina’s all-round midfielder Jordan Veretout.
Mancini To Arrive on 25 Million Euro Loan-to-Buy Deal
Multiple sources around Italy report that Roma have finally convinced Atalanta to go for a 5+20 million euro transfer fee to let Italy international Gianluca Mancini link up with the Giallorossi defence for the new season. Atalanta were under no pressure to sell Mancini as it was thought they already had an offer in place for fellow defender Castagne to leave to the Premier League, but Gianluca Petrachi has managed to talk the Bergamo club into letting Mancini go instead.
The deal structure mimics that which brought Bryan Cristante to the capital from Bergamo last year, and Roma will cover the first 5 million euro loan installment by sending Ivan Marcano back to Porto for the same amount. 23-year old Mancini will undoubtedly come in on lower wages than Marcano so, putting the footballing aspect of this deal aside for the moment, this represents another cost-saving measure for Roma’s summer transfer campaign.
Roma Reach Agreement with Fiorentina Over Veretout Transfer
Jordan Veretout’s transfer to Roma is a less certain affair than Mancini, though the major stumbling block was always going to be whether the capital club could strike an agreement with Fiorentina in the first place. ForzaRoma reports that the hardest battle in this transfer is now won, as Roma have been given the green light by Fiorentina to talk to Veretout.
The all-action midfielder has crafted out a reputation from his work-rate, tireless engine and ability to pick out long and short-range passes on the move and represents Paulo Fonseca’s best chance at rediscovering a Fred-like player in a 4-2-3-1 double pivot this season.
Veretout began his week getting jeered by Viola fans on Sunday - the first day Fiorentina’s pre-season training. Then the Frenchman followed it up by completely no-showing to training yesterday, while he trains separately from the rest of the Fiorentina squad this morning and waits for his ticket out of there.
Still, amidst all the unrest, no one in the media is willing to commit to reporting whether Veretout’s next destination is Milan or Rome. But Roma have had their 25 million euro offer for Veretout accepted, which means the French midfielder could have his mind could be made up for him before long.
It’s reported Gianluca Petrachi gave Fiorentina the option of 10 million euros and Gregoire Defrel, or a more straightforward 20 million euros up front with 5 million euros in performance-related bonuses. There’s no media consensus on which option Fiorentina choose, but all sources are agreed that the Viola have accepted Veretout’s move to Roma - barring a last-minute counter-offer from AC Milan.
The contract on offer from Roma to Veretout is a reported 3 million euros-a-year 5-year deal; Veretout will effectively take up compatriot Maxime Gonalons’ spot on the wage bill in Roma’s transfer plans.
Gonalons was nowhere to be seen at Roma’s first day of pre-season after seeking therapy for a minor muscle injury, but it’s thought Gonalons’ 3.6 million euro-a-year stay in Rome is soon coming to an end with a transfer back to Ligue 1 or the Premier League in the offing.