Roma have completed the double signing of Leandro Paredes and Renato Sanches from Paris Saint-Germain to strengthen their midfield.
Paredes has completed his return to Roma on a permanent transfer from PSG, while Sanches has joined on loan with a conditional obligation to buy.
Back in 2018, Roma sold Paredes to Zenit Saint Petersburg after 54 appearances and four goals for the club, either side of a loan spell at Empoli.
Now, Paredes has been brought back to Roma for a second spell, where he will be the replacement in midfield for Nemanja Matic, who has left for Rennes.
A World Cup winner in the same Argentina squad as Paulo Dybala in December, Paredes is immediately back in Serie A after a loan spell with Juventus last season.
Paredes told Roma’s official website: “Coming back to Rome is always a special thing, but doing so now as a Roma player is even more special.
“I’d like to thank the fans for welcoming me and Roma for bringing me back to the club where I launched my career in Europe. Last year was an incredibly happy one for me with the World Cup, so now I want to keep tasting success and I’m convinced I can do just that with this team.”
He will wear the number 16 shirt for Roma, becoming the first player to do so since former captain Daniele De Rossi, who gave his ex-teammate his blessing.
Paredes, who previously wore 32 and 5 for Roma, explained: “I never would have allowed it to happen without Daniele’s permission. He sent me a message to say he’d be thrilled for me to wear that number.
“It will be a huge honour for me and I have huge respect for him. I will always be grateful to him for the way he treated me, not just on the pitch but also off it.”
40 quotes about Daniele De Rossi
Paredes has signed a contract until 2025 after a transfer that is reported to have cost Roma just €4m.
Meanwhile, Sanches has followed him on a loan deal that Roma can make permanent – and will be obliged to for €11m if he plays in 55% of their matches this season, or €14m if he plays in 75%, according to reports.
Formerly of Benfica, Bayern Munich, Swansea City and Lille, Sanches has come to Serie A for the first time in his career.
The 25-year-old said: “I’m so happy to have joined this huge club. The Roma project really won me over and I feel that playing here is the right choice for me.
“It’s so important for any player to feel the support of the fans. For me on my first day, the impact that I felt helped me understand how much these supporters love the team and that can only drive me forward to give my all to achieve success here.”
He will wear the number 20 shirt recently vacated by Mady Camara after an unsuccessful loan spell from Olympiacos.
Sanches will be hoping his own loan goes better as he joins fellow Portuguese compatriots Rui Patricio and Jose Mourinho at Roma for a new challenge.
Leave a Reply