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Roma still eyeing Zakaria, but departures necessary before closing any deal


RomaPress – After beginning their season with a 3-1 victory over Fiorentina, Roma continue to work on finalising several deals before the transfer window shuts.

Manager José Mourinho has made it clear throughout the past week that his team is “still missing something”, and that something refers to a defensive midfielder to pair with Jordan Veretout.


The Portuguese technician has implored Roma executive Tiago Pinto to try and finalise one last operation before the transfer market closes until January. One of the options that Mourinho has his sights set on is Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria.

The Swiss international handed the German side a transfer request earlier this summer, even informing them that he has no intention of extending his contract, which expires in 2022.

Although he has an expensive price tag, Tiago Pinto could look to his friend, super agent Fali Ramadani, in helping the operation come to fruition.

Ramadani, Zakaria’s agent, met with Pinto two weeks ago in London, though the nature of meeting remains unknown.

Before closing any deal, the Giallorossi will have to offload at least two of their high-earning, out-of-favor players in order to give their wage bill some breathing room.

That names in that list are Robin Olsen, Steven Nzonzi, Javier Pastore, Federico Fazio, and Davide Santon: who account for nearly €22 million in gross wages per season.

Pinto is pushing for Robin Olsen to accept a deal with Sheffield United while Genoa have made an approach for Fazio in recent days.

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