Chris Smalling wasn’t the only Roma player to transfer to Saudi Arabia on Monday, as the Giallorossi also brokered the fairly lucrative sale of Joao Costa to Al-Ettifaq. The youngster had been chased by a few teams this summer and ultimately departed for €9M.
He moved to the Italian capital in 2021 and worked his way through the youth academy. He earned major praise from Daniele De Rossi since he took over and was fielded five times last summer. Still, the club didn’t pass up on the opportunity to make a significant ‘plusvalenza.’
Roma finalized the acquisition of Mario Hermoso on Monday. It’s not so certain he’ll be followed by Mats Hummels, as the negotiation has slowed down over his demands his recent days, Il Tempo reports (via Fantacalcio). The Giallorossi have offered a one-year, €2M contract plus an appearance-based clause to automatically renew it. The veteran asks for €3M wages.
The team doesn’t have much time to make up its mind due to the deadline to submit the UEFA list. Joel Matip and Kostas Manolas are the only other free agents who could entice them.
Our Take on Roma and Hummels
Unless they have some new youngsters to unearth or are thinking about permanently adapting somebody to the position, and fielding Bryan Cristante there would be easier than in the past following their midfield additions, it’d be a major risk to go into the season with just three pure center-backs.
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