ROME – C‘And the contact, there is the context, there is the concept. Daniel De Rossi has indicated the first reinforcement to be introduced in the new Rome: it is Federico Chiesa, yesterday an indomitable opponent with the Juventus shirt, the day before yesterday a player appreciated during the 2021 European Championship lived as a technical collaborator of Mancini’s national team. The two have an excellent relationship, as evidenced by the warm embrace immortalized by the cameras at the end of Roma-Juve, and have spoken to each other several times in recent weeks. Oh yes because, since he learned from the Friedkins that he would be confirmed for next season, De Rossi began working for the future, taking advantage of his knowledge and his leadership to improve the team. Compatibly with the financial limits imposed by ownership and UEFA fair play.
Chiesa’s availability and the possible deal
Chiesa explained to De Rossi that he is ready to talk about a possible transfer. His contract expires in 2025 and he has not yet reached an agreement for its renewal. He now earns 5 million plus 1 million in bonus but would like an upward adjustment: hence the stalemate with Juventus who would instead be willing to negotiate an extension on the current figures. Since he is about to marry Lucia Bramani, his life partner, Chiesa would prefer to change team and city now rather than in the next few years. But it’s a long way from here to saying that the operation will be successful. A lot of money is needed to convince Juventus to sell an important player, even if at the end of the contract, and the financial requests of the agent, Fali Ramadani, must be satisfied. Furthermore, the decision on the coach, with the possible farewell of Allegri, can guide Federico’s choices. From Roma’s point of view, the non-trivial condition for setting up a negotiation is the longed-for return to the Champions League, which is currently in strong doubt: the way the championship is going, net of any miracles in Leverkusen, a victory on Sunday in Bergamo is needed to keep Atalanta behind and therefore defend fifth place in the standings.
The physical state of Chiesa and the conversations
The Friedkins are usually against investing in players who have had knee surgery. In the past they renounced the already defined purchase of Milik from Napoli, with Dzeko who would have gone to Juventus. And more recently they sold Zaniolo to Galatasaray without too many regrets, having ruled out the possibility of renewing his contract. But they were reassured about the reliability of Chiesa, who broke his cruciate at the Olimpico against Roma in January 2022: in this championship his 30 appearances (with 7 goals) already seem like a guarantee. After bringing first Dybala and then Lukaku to Trigoria, it would be the third sensational coup of their management. In recent days Chiesa also spoke about Roma to some of his teammates: above all he met with the captain, Lorenzo Pellegrini, who would be happy to welcome him. Curiously, if he landed in the capital, Federico would play in a city that also hosted his father Enrico, signed by Lazio in the 2002/2003 season.
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