We've spent so much time focusing on the Wesleys and Ghilardis of the world that it's high time we explore a good old-fashioned outgoing transfer. And it's into that void that Artem Dovbyk has unexpectedly stepped. A year after Roma acquired the now 28-year-old Ukrainian striker in a deal that could reach €38.5 million, is it possible that Roma might move on from their massive investment?
It's a question that would have seemed unthinkable a year ago. Yes, the transfer price was exorbitant by Roma's
standards, but giving La Liga's top scorer to a young manager like Daniele De Rossi was a blessing...or so it appeared. We know all too well what happened with De Rossi, but Dovbyk's story is a bit more complex.
At first glance, your top striker scoring 17 goals in roughly 3,100 minutes is a solid performance. However, crunching the numbers shows that Dovbyk’s tally, while still decent, is a 29% decrease from his performance with Girona the previous season, when he topped the Spanish league with 24 goals. Strictly speaking, Dovbyk didn't underperform, but that output was somewhat disappointing considering his transfer fee.
While the rumor mill wasn't exactly bubbling over with stories, there were whispers of discontent with Dovbyk even before Claudio Ranieri handed over the reins to Gian Piero Gasperini. Now, add a managerial change and the arrival of Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton, and the conditions are ripe for rumor mongering.
According to multiple sources in Italy, Roma may be courting offers for Dovbyk. Clubs like Besiktas, West Ham United, and Leeds each reportedly expressed interest in Roma's new number nine, who the Giallorossi value at €35 million.
Getting rid of expensive and unwanted assets has always been a thorn in Roma's side, so this could pose quite a challenge for new Sporting Director Frederic Massara.
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