Opinion

Reports Suggest There Could Be More Roma Departures

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The current international break has again led to numerous pieces of speculation in the media about AS Roma, particularly when it comes to the transfer rumour mill, and although manager Jose Mourinho and striker Tammy Abraham have featured highly in recent headlines, there has also been news about the potential futures of both Chris Smalling and Nicola Zalewski.

Mourinho is not the only contract issue that the club needs to address, 33 year old centre half Smalling is also yet to agree a new deal at the Stadio Olimpico and if recent reports are right, it is being claimed that tensions are now rising as negotiations seem to have hit a bit of a road block. Odds on what happens next could probably be found on the likes of wetten.com US as well as future fantasy football advice.

According to Italian media outlets, Smalling’s existing deal does include an optional 12 month extension, but the agreement clause to enact it requires both parties to be in support, but Smalling is against using that option – preferring instead to negotiate a completely new two year deal, with additional financial incentives boosting his existing claimed 3.5 million Euro a year deal.

Given Smalling is now arguably in the peak years of his career, Roma have an unfortunate conundrum on their hands. The experienced defender would still command a decent transfer fee if there was a future contract in place, but right now he is capable of leaving for free and if his choice is a new two year improved deal, he is highly unlikely to agree the 12 month extension just so he could then be sold this summer.

With AC Milan making a reported enquiry for his services last summer, they are again linked with keeping an eye on the current situation, but a move to them would not make a great deal of sense.

When it comes to the Zalewski rumours, the 21 year old Roma Academy graduate is said to be hugely interesting to fellow Premier League side Leicester City. Having established himself in Mourinho’s first team squad last season, interest in him has only grown over the last few months and it is not the first time he has been linked with a move away from Rome. Given his emergence last summer, tentative interest in him was reported from both the PL and the German Bundesliga, but Leicester are the first side to be named.

The more recent reports build on the prior tentative interest shown though and imply that he is now a top target for manager Brendan Rodgers as his name on their potential future shortlist is now ‘circled in red’.

The Polish international is said to be on a contract worth just under 500,000 Euros a year at the moment, so if the interest is real – even though he remains under contract until the summer of 2025 – Roma again have a decision to make on whether to try and cash in on his talent now, or offer him early, new and improved terms as well as we plan for the future.

Given the players rise through the ranks, it is highly unlikely Roma would be interested in a sale unless silly money was offered by any side, but it could be one to watch.

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