Early in this summer’s mercato, it looked like left-back Angeliño would be headed to Saudi Arabia on a big-money deal, leaving Ricky Massara to find a replacement for one of last season’s regular starters. Instead, the Saudi club secured their main target in Milan’s Theo Hernandez, and Angeliño stayed in Rome. So, with the Spaniard still attacking down Roma’s left flank, the need for a new starter on that side was no longer necessary.
Nevertheless, with a new DS and manager in charge, many players
had to prove they could cut it in Gian Piero Gasperini’s system. One player who didn’t is Anass Salah-Edinne, who arrived from Twente in January for €8.5 million. Since Gasperini did not consider Salah-Eddine to be up to standard, Massara had to find a suitable deputy for Angeliño and arrange for Salah-Eddine to move elsewhere.
According to the latest reports, Massara will achieve that through two loan deals. Salah-Eddine, who was linked with moves to both Cagliari and Torino, will instead get his preferred move back to the Netherlands. Transfer expert Nicolò Schira reports that Roma have an agreement for a loan with an option to buy with PSV Eindhoven.
Meanwhile, multiple sources, including Nicolo Schira, report that Roma is close to signing Greek left-back Kostantinos Tsimikas from Liverpool. Tsimikas has been linked to Roma for about a week now as he searches for more playing time away from Anfield. Tsimikas will arrive on loan, though an option to buy may be included for the 29-year-old.
Tsimikas has been with Liverpool for the last five seasons, but has never been more than a role player and has never reached 1,000 league minutes in a season. Despite not getting major minutes after joining Liverpool from Olympiacos in 2020, Tsimikas offers plenty of experience, having played in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Neither deal has been finalized yet, but both are expected to close before the market deadline this weekend.
