With Crysencio Summerville as close as ever to becoming Roma’s club-record signing, Tony D’Amico will soon have to get to work on a number of other moves to reinforce Roma’s roster. Nicoló Tresoldi is still said to be awaiting his move to Roma as Donyell Malen’s understudy. Plus, Zeki Çelik’s about-face on signing his extension has brought RWB/RCB back into focus. Additionally, D’Amico must raise some much-needed cash through the sales of Marash Kumbulla, Anass Salah-Eddine, and possibly one or both
of Manu Koné and Matías Soulé.
However, despite Summerville’s impending signing for close to €50 million, the attacking wing remains the focal point of transfer links, as Gian Piero Gasperini has made it clear that he expects two signings in that position. Yesterday, 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye from PSG was linked for the first time, with a proposed loan deal that includes an option to buy and a buyback clause for PSG. Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho is said to still be giving Roma priority as his next destination, even though it seems a loan with an option to buy won’t be enough to convince Chelsea at this point.
Now, a new name has emerged, one also linked to the Giallorossi during the winter market: Andreas Schjelderup of Benfica. Gianluca Di Marzio reports that the 22-year-old Norwegian was close to leaving the Portuguese club in January before a Champions League brace convinced then-manager Jose Mourinho to keep him in the fold. Now, with Mourinho back at Real Madrid, Schjelderup is again being linked with a move away, and Roma is named as a potential suitor.
Schjelderup is coming off a strong World Cup where he scored a goal and provided three assists during Norway’s run to the quarterfinals. That followed a club campaign where he provided 10 goals and 7 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.
However, if Roma are truly interested in Schjelderup, his signature won’t come easily, as both Tottenham and Liverpool have also been linked to his signing. Reports this morning from Portugal claim that Rui Costa and the Benfica board consider Spurs’ €40 million starting point outdated. In fact, Schjelderup is said to have a €100 million release clause in his contract. It seems Benfica will use the clause and the 2028 contract expiration (he has a renewal offer until 2031 on the table from the club as well) as leverage to extract more money from potential suitors.
As intriguing as a move for Schjelderup is given his growth over the last six months and impressive World Cup, that has only made things more difficult for Roma. We’ll see if the Giallorossi truly decide to pursue the Norwegian or this is just paper talk after the January inquiries, but if D’Amico is serious about Schjelderup, the Friedkins may have to come close to Summerville’s reported fee to get this one over the line as well. So, stay tuned.
