The extension of Lorenzo Pellegrini is the main priority of the Roma brass. The executives held another meeting with his agent yesterday. The contract of the playmaker is up in 2022. There is a serene atmosphere between the parties, but they have not struck a deal yet, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.
The negotiation is complex and intense due to the substantial sums involved. However, it is likely the parties will eventually come to terms, the journalist adds. According to Calciomercato.com, the agreement is imminent. Pellegrini’s agent Giampiero Pocetta asked for the same salary of the other Roma top players, around €4M per year.
The next pact will be run through 2026 and will not have a release clause. The midfielder has had a €30M one for a few years. Although, no team ever activated it, as he always preferred staying at Roma. Tottenham and Barcelona showed some interest in the summer.
José Mourinho heaped praise on the 25-year-old in recent pressers: “He can do everything on the pitch. He is so versatile. If I had three Pellegrini, I would field them all. He is so smart.” The gaffer also weighed in on the ongoing talks: “He gets closer to extending his contract with each passing day. The opposite is usually true, but not with Lorenzo. I want him to stay badly, and so does he and Roma. If his agent did not make a decision soon, I would give his address to a newspaper, so all fans can go to his home to pressure him.”