While the close of the summer transfer market (the first of the Gasperini-Massara era) ended with a whimper rather than a bang, by retaining their core players and adding dazzling talents like Wesley and Evan Ferguson, we should consider it a win. But after their very public pursuit of Jadon Sancho, which amounted to nothing more than wasted time, and missing out on deadline day targets like Benjamin Dominguez and Santiago Giménez, many fans were left with a bitter taste in their mouth.
And whether
it was a scheduled interview or not, Gasperini reflected on the club’s summer transfer campaign: the hits, misses, and the plan going forward. Here are some of the best bits, and check back later this week for our roundtable recap of the 2025 summer transfer market.
(Apologies for the jenky Google translations. The interview was in Italian only)
On the final hours of the market:
As often happens, the final hours are always the most difficult, when perhaps all clubs move to resolve in a few hours what wasn’t done in the previous weeks. Roma still had the desire, and even the need, to make some deals. However, as far as I’m concerned, even with a club very willing, even financially, to endorse deals, last-minute deals wouldn’t have resulted in a technical advantage or a significant financial outlay. At that point, the club will have the opportunity to do so more calmly and successfully in the next January transfer window.
On the club’s transfer limitations:
I’ve said it before, and I reiterate that there’s always been a shared purpose with the club. From the very beginning, there’s been a connection that perhaps we weren’t able to fully or partially realize during this transfer window. However, their willingness to help has always been very high. We all know that until June 30th, there was this Financial Fair Play difficulty. Even now, despite not having the financial resources of previous years, the resources available have still been sufficient to guarantee the desired transactions.
On the rumored rift with Massara:
They’re two different jobs. I understand the strategies, when to push, when to make offers, when to talk to agents, and when to bluff. In fact, I don’t participate in negotiations—it’s not my job—but it’s clear that there needs to be significant synergy between the sporting director, the coach, and the club. I don’t know the past, but the club’s presence this year has been much more consistent and much more effective than perhaps in other years, and for me, this is absolutely necessary and indispensable in a football where the figures are so significant. You also need to build a team. When I build a team on the pitch and don’t leave too many free agents to go their own way, the same must be true for a club headed by the owners, who are the ones most affected by the returns, for better or worse, and the most exposed.
On the transfers Roma did make:
The transfer market was conducted in line with the reasons why the owners and I somehow aligned. Two new players arrived in defense: Wesley on the right to cover a role that last year was often filled by Soulé, whom I’m trying to get to play more attackingly. El Aynaoui arrived to cover for Paredes and Gourna-Douath, and I perhaps preferred one less midfielder to bring in an additional striker. It’s my approach to football that has led me to good results, and it’s clear that I’m looking for this different approach to building teams compared to the past. Up front, Ferguson and Bailey arrived to replace Shomurodov and Saelemaekers. It’s the most complicated position and requires more attention and investment. I won’t deny that I would have liked a greater presence and to reach the players we had identified. We have to start with everything we have: I want Dovbyk back; I think he’s put in a lot of effort. Baldanzi also needs to be back, as does Pellegrini, who stayed. They are all players who, along with the others, have given me incredible answers and I am convinced that we will do well, we will start with them, we look ahead and we have the chance and the conditions to express ourselves well
And finally, on his initial impressions of the squad, fans, and city
I’m happy. I think we’re just getting started, and I think I still have a lot of room to grow before we can claim victory. But I’m happy with this approach, especially with the players’ behavior and these first two performances. Of course, I already knew about the passion this crowd and the city have for the team. The most important goal is to deliver even before setting goals. We all hope the goals are as high as possible, but I think the foundation is there: creating a connection between the team, the fans, and the owners. This could be the first step towards achieving something positive, even in terms of results
As the first bit of significant business for Roma’s new leadership, it may have been unfair to expect things to go off without a hitch, and at the risk of repeating myself, consider this: They still have Manu Koné, Mile Svilar, Evan Ndicka, and Matías Soulé, plus they added a pair of young players who already appear like budding stars.
The goal for Gasperini is the same as it was for the string of managers we’ve seen come through Trigoria over the past several years: Get back to the Champions League, and the transfer spoils will follow.
