Roma sporting director Tony D’Amico discussed the club’s summer transfer strategy, the failed deals for Jamie Leweling and Luiz Henrique, Chelsea’s interest in Manu Koné and the possibility of adding another player in January.
Tony D’Amico has offered an extensive assessment of Roma’s summer transfer window, explaining the financial restrictions under which the club operated and the decisions made alongside Gian Piero Gasperini and the Friedkin ownership.
The Roma sporting director also addressed the winger who did not arrive, the negotiations for Jamie Leweling and Luiz Henrique, Chelsea’s enquiry for Manu Koné and the possibility of exploring the free-agent market.
Roma’s Financial Restrictions and UEFA Agreement
D’Amico explained that Roma entered the transfer window fully aware of the financial parameters within which the club needed to operate.
“We knew what our limitations were. During negotiations, we often had to reinvent ourselves and change course. We knew our objectives and reduced the wage bill by 15%.
“The agreement with UEFA is rather particular. Other figures within the club are speaking with UEFA and will explain the situation at the appropriate time.”
The director later expanded on the impact that transfer fees and salaries had on Roma’s strategy.
“We were always aware of UEFA’s communications and our objectives. Strategies often change during the transfer window, while the price of a player you are pursuing can increase.
“It is not only about the transfer fee—the wage bill also has a significant impact. There are many changes that we must manage in the best possible way.”
D’Amico Assesses Roma’s Transfer Window
D’Amico insisted that Roma’s summer business can only be properly judged once the season has concluded.
“We will assess whether or not we are satisfied with the transfer window at the end of the season. The matches will tell us what we did well.
“I am certainly pleased that, when I arrived, we secured four players who have been protagonists here: Dybala, Pellegrini, Cristante and Mancini. The first two were out of contract, while the other two were approaching the end of their deals. Perhaps there were different ideas before.
“They are the historic core of this team and have a strong attachment to the shirt. I thank them because they made themselves available and accepted salary reductions in order to remain at Roma. That is what satisfied me the most.”
D’Amico was also pleased with the commitment demonstrated by Roma’s new arrivals.
“I am happy with the players who arrived. They came here with great motivation and desire. We chose them, and they chose us.
“Other players also chose Roma, but those negotiations were not completed for different reasons. I have heard talk about players ‘rejecting’ Roma, but very few players—even among those of a high level—turned Roma down.”
Roma’s Plan to Strengthen Gasperini’s Attack
Strengthening the attacking department was one of the priorities shared by D’Amico and Gasperini.
“When I arrived, the coach and I made strengthening the attack our priority. You begin many negotiations; some can be completed quickly, while others continue.
“We did not change our strategy when we signed Castro. We must also remember that Mora arrived: he is a wide attacker with different characteristics. We also looked for another player who could offer us something different.”
D’Amico acknowledged that Roma were unable to complete their final planned move for a winger.
“The winger did not arrive for a variety of reasons, but all the other players did. Every other player we had planned to sign arrived.”
Roma Are ‘Probably Missing One Player’
With Roma preparing to compete in Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, D’Amico admitted that Gasperini’s squad remains slightly short.
“We are competing in three competitions, and the difficulty will increase with the Champions League.
“When we talk about a winger, we mean an attacker capable of performing two roles. We are slightly short, but we believe that, with good work, we can reach January and identify another target.
“We are probably missing one player.”
The Truth About Chelsea’s Manu Koné Enquiry
D’Amico confirmed that Chelsea contacted Roma to request information about Manu Koné but denied that an official offer was submitted.
“Rather than a negotiation, I would call it an enquiry. There were exploratory contacts with Chelsea.
“We signed six players by submitting official offers. In this case, no official offer was made.
“The reports suggesting that Gasperini threatened to resign are completely fabricated.”
He later reiterated the difference between an exploratory contact and a formal proposal.
“Clubs make many enquiries—we also made a great number of calls. But that does not mean Roma received an official offer from Chelsea.”
How Roma Make Transfer Decisions
D’Amico explained that Roma’s transfer decisions were shared between the sporting department, Gasperini, the club’s executives and the Friedkin family.
“There is an ownership group, a sporting department and a coach. Since August 1, we have also had a CEO. There is great collaboration over both incoming and outgoing transfers.
“Since I arrived, we have met every day—either in person or by video call—with the coach, Ryan and Dan Friedkin.
“It works as it does at every club: decisions over signings and departures are made collectively.”
The sporting director also responded when questioned about his authority over the club’s transfer activity.
“If I were not responsible for the transfer market, I would not be here. Someone else would be.
“Perhaps you need to be more explicit. I cannot interpret your question your question.”
D’Amico Explains His Arrival at Roma
D’Amico revealed that Ryan Friedkin contacted him after Atalanta informed the director of his dismissal.
“My move to Roma began when Atalanta informed me of my dismissal. This opportunity then emerged, and Ryan Friedkin called me.
“I found a club with great ambition and willingness to invest. Unfortunately, the Settlement Agreement sometimes limits their desire to accomplish great things.”
He added that, like a new player, a director also requires time to understand a new working environment.
“Just like a player, a director needs time to understand the environment in which he works and the limitations within which he must operate.
“I am convinced that, at times, we will be able to do things differently—but I am also confident that we will work well.”
Pellegrini’s Renewal and Celik’s Juventus Move
D’Amico dismissed the possibility that Lorenzo Pellegrini could follow the same path as Zeki Celik, who left Roma for Juventus.
“Is thereIs there a risk of another situation like Celik? No. I never had that concern with Pellegrini, just as I did not with Dybala, Cristante or Mancini. They are players who are deeply attached to the shirt.
“Pellegrini was the first player I spoke with after arriving. With Celik, communication was difficult because he was at the World Cup. His renewal had been agreed, but he decided to join Juventus.”
Roma Could Evaluate Free Agents
With the Italian transfer window closed, D’Amico left open the possibility of Roma considering an available free agent.
“We are evaluating it. We will see which players are available on the free-agent market, but we will assess the situation further down the line.”
Why the Jamie Leweling Deal Collapsed
D’Amico confirmed that Roma had reached an agreement with both Stuttgart and Jamie Leweling before the German international changed his mind.
“During the final days, we identified two or three suitable profiles. We simply could not complete those deals for various reasons.
“The Leweling deal was agreed with Stuttgart and the player, but he had second thoughts, so we stopped.
“Other players were ready to join, but we would not have been satisfied with those options. As I said, we are united in pursuing our ideas.”
Roma Had Agreements for Luiz Henrique
Roma also reached agreements with Zenit Saint Petersburg and Luiz Henrique, but technical complications prevented the transfer from being completed.
“Unfortunately, certain issues prevented us from completing the deal. We had an agreement with Zenit and the player, but we could not proceed because of technical problems.
“It is one of the many things that can happen during the transfer market. You must be ready to find alternatives.”
Roma’s Squad-Building Strategy
D’Amico explained that Roma attempted to balance young players with experienced additions such as Marten de Roon and Leonardo Balerdi.
“This year, we tried to invest in young players with significant potential, and then we added experience with De Roon and Balerdi.
“We tried to strengthen and expand the historic core. It makes a difference to our idea of football. We believe young players with great potential must be supported by a group of men, which we have.
“Our objective is not to catch Inter but to perform as well as possible in all three competitions.”
D’Amico Reflects on Atalanta and Roma
After spending four years with Atalanta, D’Amico said his complete focus is now on helping Roma as the club approaches its centenary.
“I had four wonderful years with Atalanta, full of satisfaction. But today, my focus is Roma.
“This is a great opportunity as the club approaches its centenary, with a fanbase that fills me with pride.”
The director concluded by discussing Roma’s return to the Champions League and his desire to earn another qualification through his own work.
“I hope the final assessment will be positive, but we cannot say that today. Roma and Atalanta are two different clubs, but every football club has ambition. Without it, it would be a tragedy.
“Roma returned to the Champions League after many years, while Atalanta participated for several seasons. Gasperini, the players and everyone who worked here last year deserve applause.
“I did not earn this season’s Champions League qualification—it was given to me. Now I want to earn it too.”
Leave a Reply