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Roma trying to accelerate for Defrel

John Solano
I

Il Tempo: A gap has opened. A small one, but one that’s enough to try to slip through and it’s worth it given that the prize is Gregoire Defrel.

Roma are still looking for a “coup” in January and Defrel has the ideal profile due to his ability to be deployed in several positions. There is only one real drawback: Defrel could not play in the Europa League for Roma after having already participated in it this year with Sassuolo. Yesterday there was a bit of acceleration in the operation, it was important but not decisive. Giallorossi sporting director Massara, who was reportedly in his office the entire afternoon, had contact with Sassuolo sporting director Angelozzi and reiterated the strong intention to buy the French attacker. All this came after the player’s agent has made it clear to the Sassuolo executives that Defrel is wanting to move to the capital to take advantage of, perhaps, a lifetime opportunity.

The basis for a possible agreement revolves around this: Roma is willing to accept a valuation of around €20 million, provided that the purchase is “deferred” by having the player loan for 18 months with an obligation to buy. In addition, players already at Sassuolo (Pellegrini, Mazzitelli and Ricci) or others who are at Roma (i.e Marchizza), each with different contractual situations, could be included in the operation.

So what’s missing? A key word: that of Squinzi, who has no intention of selling anyone in January, let alone one of the strong points of his team. Roma are willing to wait a few days, but no more than that, hoping that, in the meantime, Squinzi can be convinced.

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MatchDay 29
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