Roma are not only considering selling the usual suspects (Fazio, Santon, Ünder, etc); the club is also open to selling some of its most experienced, highest earners. These include Dzeko, Pedro and Smalling.
According to Il Tempo, the club has decided to prioritize players like Zaniolo, Mancini, Pellegrini, Spinazzola and Veretout as the team’s core. Meanwhile, the supposed ‘star’ players who underperformed this past season are not deemed untouchable. Their agents have been notified of this development and have been invited to start looking for solutions for their respective clients. Dzeko, however, will be the most difficult to place: the Bosnian striker would only consider an offer including a two-year contract. So far, no team has reached out to him nor the club, although a lot will depend on the latest developments within the transfer market. For example, if Manchester City were to make a move for Romelu Lukaku, instead of Harry Kane, Dzeko would be Inter’s number one target to replace the Belgian forward.
Smalling, on the other hand, may return to the Premier League. Mourinho has already informed General Manager Tiago Pinto he does not intend on working with the Englishman and asked for a left-footed defender. Moreover, after only one year at Roma, Pedro may be on his way out too: the Spaniard is looking around for potential new destinations.
Finally, both Pau Lopez and Cengiz Ünder are nearing a deal that would send them to Olympique de Marseille. The French side is currently negotiating the terms of their options tied to the number of appearances. If Roma were to sell the Turkish winger and one between Kluivert, Pedro and Pastore, the club would immediately make an offer for Filip Kostić of Eintracht Frankfurt.
