Roma Transfers: Real & Imagined

The Players Roma is Most Likely to Sell

We all love when Petrachi brings in shiny new toys, but what about unloading the misfits.

By ssciavillo@ssciavilloCdT Aug 5, 2019, 7:26pm CEST

AS Roma Sport Director Gianluca Petrachi attends the press...

Gianluca Petrachi has been a busy man since taking over as Roma’s new director of sport. There were books to be balanced and a new manager to be hired. Then the man was able to get to work on rebuilding a disaster of a team.

Midfield reinforcements were purchased in the form of Amadou Diawara and Jordan Veretout. The problematic goalkeeper situation was checked off the list of needs with the signing of Pau Lopez. Kostas Manolas was replaced with Gianluca Mancini and the wingback positions were rejuvenated a bit with Leonardo Spinazzola.

The team has started to come together over the last month, but there is still work to be done to give Paulo Fonseca enough tools to truly compete for a Champions League spot. Another center back is a must, so is a right back and potentially another striker. While a winger probably depends on how much the club likes Mirko Antonucci.

Who those players will be remains to be seen, but we are inundated with rumors on a daily basis. From Toby Alderweireld to Gonzalo Higuain to Elseid Hysaj, we hear these names, mixed in with many others, on a daily basis. Yet, for all the rumors of incoming players, we see far fewer of players leaving the club.

With just about a month until the transfer deadline, who leaves the Italian capital is almost as important as who else Petrachi brings in. Roma doesn’t have the embarrassment of riches of other clubs to sweep mistakes under the rug and bury them on the depth chart. Books need to be balanced; in order to buy, sales must be made.

With this mind, the size of the roster needs to be trimmed, so let’s take a look at some of the players potentially on the way out and the likelihood that they leave.

Robin Olsen

FC Porto v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

If anyone is guaranteed to leave the capital this summer, it’s Olsen. The Swede was brought in last summer to replace Alisson and was nothing short of a disaster. With the purchase of Lopez, Olsen is excess goods. Olsen has been linked to various clubs around Europe with the latest rumor linking him to Montpelier on a loan deal. Roma would certainly like to cut ties altogether with an outright sale, but if the club’s hands are tied late in the summer then a loan becomes more likely. Either way the butterfingered Swede will be gone.

Exit Odds: 100%

Gregoire Defrel

After a disappointing season in 2017/18, Defrel went out on loan to Sampdoria last season, reviving his career with a dozen goals during his time in Liguria. The loan should work out well for Roma as it tried to offload Defrel this summer. A deal to Cagliari has been talked about for some time and looked close to done last week. Expect it to happen sooner or later.

Exit Odds: 99%

Steven Nzonzi

What was supposed to be one of Monchi’s genius moves last summer ended up being a real dud. Poorly suited to Eusebio Di Francesco’s tactics, Nzonzi struggled. After a strong finish to the season under Claudio Ranieri, the Frenchman's future remains in question under Fonseca. With that in mind, Petrachi will try and recoup as much of the €26 million that Monchi shelled out for Nzonzi. Look for the World Cup winner to head to France with Lyon, Marseilles, and Monaco all having been linked.

Exit Odds: 95%

Maxime Gonalons

The third Frenchman on the list, Gonalons spent last season out on loan at Sevilla. Like Nzonzi, he has no place in Roma’s midfield with the additions of Diawara and Veretout. He’s now 30 and wasn’t the beacon of good health last season, but Roma should find a willing taker at a low cost or another loan. Roma only spent €5 million on Gonalons two summers ago so they don't need much in return for him.

Exit Odds: 85%

Rick Karsdorp

Karsdorp once looked like the answer to all of Roma’s issues at right back. However, after two injury riddled campaigns, Slick Rick looks to have worn out his welcome in Rome. There’s no chance Roma recoup the €16 million invested in the Dutchman, so the club will either have to send him away on loan or take a large loss. A return to old club Feyenoord has been rumored.

Exit Odds: 75%

Ante Coric

AS Roma v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League

The young Croatian, who has been compared to compatriot Luka Modric, played sparingly in his first season in the capital. Playing time again seems to be limited for him this season. Coric has often trained independently this preseason, prompting the Coric to clarify on Instagram that he isn’t injured. A loan to another Serie A team would be best for all parties, so that Coric can dip his toes in the Serie A waters before being thrown into the deep end.

Exit Odds: 75%

Patrik Schick

After exploding onto the Serie A scene with Samp, Schick’s struggles in the capital have been well documented since becoming Roma’s most expensive ever signing. After not seeing the field in Roma’s last friendly, the writing seems to be on the wall. Schick seems to be on his way out. With Roma owing Samp a large payment come January, a sale is unlikely, but a loan could happen. Borussia Dortmund is said to be interested.

Exit Odds: 70%

Javier Pastore

The Argentine was brought to the capital by Monchi to be the creative spark for the Giallorossi. However, Pastore didn’t live up to his hefty price tag; more often landing on the medical report than the team sheet. His exited has been rumored due to his poor debut season in the capital, but his high cost and injury history will likely make an exit difficult. Fonseca may have to find a use for him.

Exit Odds: 25%

Edin Dzeko

I saved this one for last because the waters seem to have become clouded in regards to a Dzeko transfer. Just a few weeks ago, I would’ve rated this one up there with the likes of Olsen and Nzonzi: Dzeko has had an agreement in place with Inter for months on personal terms, yet he remains in Rome.

With Inter unwilling to match Roma’s €20 million valuation, Petrachi has held firm. That, coupled with Dzeko’s strong preseason performances, have Roma questioning a potential Dzeko sale. Recent reports say that Fonseca has also won over Dzeko and an extension could be in the cards with his contract expiring. Roma could decide to jump off the striker merry-go-round and stick with Dzeko. This one could go either way.

Exit Odds: 50%

Who should Roma unload and who should get another shot in the capital? Give us your thoughts below.