It was a busy summer for Roma as they looked to shape their squad for new coach Jose Mourinho.
The appointment of the legendary manager saw the club linked with a number of big names. Not all arrived, but it made for a dramatic spectacle nonetheless.
This was also the first summer in which general manager Tiago Pinto worked in this department, giving the two Portuguese men a chance to collaborate and work out how to alter the squad for a more successful 2021-22 season.
They also had plenty of players to get off the books, so it was a busy summer in the transfer market.
You could keep up to date with all the main rumours about signings, sales and loans via Giallorossi Yorkshire’s Roma transfer blog here.
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KEY INFORMATION
- Rui Patricio became Roma’s first signing of the new era on July 13th, while fellow goalkeeper Pau Lopez has left for Marseille.
- Roma added striker Eldor Shomurodov to their ranks on August 2nd in a permanent transfer from Genoa.
- Matias Vina became the third summer signing on August 8th to cover for the injured Leonardo Spinazzola at left-back.
- Club legend Edin Dzeko brought an end to his six-year stay on August 14th, joining Inter Milan.
- Roma signed Tammy Abraham in what could become a club-record transfer to replace him three days later.
- Antonio Mirante, Juan Jesus, Bruno Peres and Simone Farelli have all been released as free agents, but Roma have signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan onto another year of contract.
- Jose Mourinho made Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka his primary outfield target, but the club failed to secure a deal for him – or any other player of his position.
- Alessandro Florenzi has left the club on loan with an option to buy to AC Milan.
- Cengiz Under has left to join Marseille on loan with a conditional obligation to buy. Fellow winger Justin Kluivert has departed for Nice on similar terms.
- See also: Roma Women transfer blog
ALL THE TARGETS
TRANSFER BLOG
Al-Rayyan announce Nzonzi
Tuesday 28th September
It’s finally over. Al-Rayyan have announced the arrival of Steven Nzonzi from Roma, who have managed to offload one of their most draining unwanted players.
There has been no announcement from Roma yet, but the Qatari club have confirmed their acquisition of the Frenchman.
With that, this page will no longer be updated – but there is a new page where you can follow all the latest Roma transfer news mid-season.
Nzonzi nearing Qatar move?
Friday 24th September
The saga is still dragging on but could be nearing a conclusion finally – Steven Nzonzi is reportedly close (again) to joining Al-Rayyan.
Despite previously rejecting the opportunity to move to Qatar, the midfield flop is now ready to make the transfer, according to Corriere Dello Sport.
As one of the highest earners at the club, it would be a relief for Roma to remove him from the wage bill, given that he is not part of the first-team squad.
We have been here before, but it sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Nzonzi rejecting Al-Rayyan offer
Thursday 9th September
Claims of Steven Nzonzi being ready to leave Roma for Al-Rayyan were premature: various sources are reporting a hold-up in the transfer.
While the window remains open in Qatar for another month, the French midfielder has thus far turned down the offer from his suitors there.
They were willing to give him a three-year contract worth more than €2m per season net, as reported by Il Romanista, but he is not convinced yet.
The other solution would be sitting out the final year of his contract at Roma, who have no plans to reintegrate him.
Meanwhile, the Turkish transfer window has now closed, so there is no chance of Davide Santon leaving for a club there, as previously predicted. Likewise, there was talk of Amadou Diawara going to Galatasaray, but it was soon denied and it has ultimately not happened.
Nzonzi deal done?
Saturday 4th September
Roma may be about to offload Steven Nzonzi after all. According to Doha Stadium, the midfield flop has reached an agreement with Al-Rayyan and will arrive in Qatar tomorrow.
Meanwhile, his fellow failed 2018 signing Javier Pastore, recently released by Roma, has signed for Elche.
Santon still has Turkish suitors
Thursday 2nd September
Davide Santon rejected offers from England and Italy on deadline day in the hope of being reintegrated at Roma.
Tiago Pinto has clarified that that will not be happening, though, and he could be sold elsewhere.
The transfer window in Turkey is open until 8th September, and Calciomercato claim Besiktas and Istanbul Basaksehir are eyeing the full-back on a free transfer.
Nzonzi exit still on?
Thursday 2nd September
Could there yet be an encore to Roma’s summer transfer window? Tiago Pinto has successfully offloaded more than 30 players this year, but there are still some earning a wage that the club want rid of.
At his post-market press conference on Wednesday, Pinto warned those who had rejected solutions that he would still try to sell them to places where the window is still open.
Since then, SportItalia have revealed that it is still possible that Steven Nzonzi leaves for Al Rayyan in Qatar. They have reportedly made a new approach.
Olsen exit wraps up window
Tuesday 31st August
Just like on deadline day last year, Robin Olsen has left Roma on loan – this time joining South Yorkshire side Sheffield United on loan with an option to buy.
The transfer window is thus complete – a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has followed along via this transfer blog, which has broken traffic records on this site over the past few months!
No reintegration for Roma rejects
Tuesday 31st August
Roma are yet to find suitors for Steven Nzonzi, Federico Fazio and Davide Santon, all of whom have been excluded from first-team training this summer.
Some of those players were hopeful of returning to the first team, but Calciomercato warn them that they will get no such opportunities.
Instead, Tiago Pinto will try to sell them to countries where the transfer window remains open.
Deadline for signings passes
Tuesday 31st August
No new midfielder for Roma – nor any other reinforcements. The deadline for Roma to make new signings has passed, although they can still work on player exits abroad, such as that of Robin Olsen to Sheffield United.
Roma’s four summer signings were Rui Patricio, Eldor Shomurodov, Matias Vina and Tammy Abraham.
Triple deadline departure
Tuesday 31st August
Roma have confirmed exits for three of their Primavera products before the transfer deadline.
Mory Bamba has made a permanent move to Leixoes, Devid Bouah has joined Teramo on loan, while Riccardo Ciervo has signed with Sampdoria on similar terms.
Santon set to stay
Tuesday 31st August
Some claims arose late on Tuesday that Fulham could sign Davide Santon from Roma.
However, LaRoma24 and TeleRadioStereo journalist Paolo Rocchetti confirmed that the full-back is staying.
Whether he can reintegrate into Jose Mourinho’s plans remains to be seen.
Sergio Oliveira to sign?
Tuesday 31st August
Suddenly, another midfielder is in contention to join Roma. After links a few days back, Sergio Oliveira has begun following the club on social media.
That has led some sources to join the dots and there are claims from Calciomercato that Roma have made an enquiry.
Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida, meanwhile, has tweeted an emoji of his country’s flag, pointing towards the colours yellow and red.
It’s all a bit sketchy at present, but seems like something to keep an eye on.
However, RomaPress and Il Tempo – more reliable sources for Roma – deny Oliveira is coming. Instead, Tiago Pinto is focusing on player exits.
Olsen on way to Yorkshire?
Tuesday 31st August
It has been rumoured in the background for a while, but Robin Olsen could finally be leaving Roma for Sheffield United.
Various sources indicate a loan deal is close for the unwanted goalkeeper to join the South Yorkshire side.
Ciervo in loan move?
Tuesday 31st August
Despite recent reports of Sassuolo looking at Roma prospect Riccardo Ciervo, it seems he will be moving to the second tier instead.
Sky Sport claim he is close to joining Frosinone on loan to build experience.
Last-minute midfield options
Tuesday 31st August
It is deadline day, but the chances of Roma signing the new midfielder they need are still dependent on exits.
If they are able to complete a deal, they have several late targets. For example, ForzaRoma.info collate Denis Zakaria, Douglas Luiz, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Corentin Tolisso as options.
The latter two could arrive on loan, which would be helpful.
Official: Pastore leaves
Monday 30th August
One of the more important pieces of business Roma will complete this year – Javier Pastore has been released.
Roma offered Tolisso
Monday 30th August
Just two days remain in the transfer window, but Roma are growing frustrated in any final attempts to add to their squad.
They cannot make any signings without selling some players first, and many of those they are trying to offload are refusing to leave.
But if they can make room, a defensive midfielder remains a priority. For the centre of the park, a new option could be Corentin Tolisso of Bayern Munich, after the German champions signed Marcel Sabitzer.
According to Calciomercato, Tolisso has been offered to Roma, but the update comes with the constant reminder that sales must go through before any thoughts of a deal.
Nzonzi has French suitors
Monday 30th August
Steven Nzonzi remarkably remains on Roma’s books, but there could be a late chance to offload him.
The midfielder, who was on loan at Rennes last season, has turned down a lucrative offer from the Middle East with Al-Rayyan in Qatar. However, there are still suitors for him in France.
According to Foot Mercato, Lille and Marseille have made approaches for the 2018 World Cup winner.
Like Roma, Marseille in particular need to sell before they can buy players, so are having to wait despite their coach Jorge Sampaoli making personal contact with Nzonzi.
These player links to Roma FC are quality ones which will definitely help Roma challenge for Champions league.
I hope this time hose Roma can now contest for tittles Wit all these quality players coming in, Jose been in his years of experience will be able to make things right this time.
It is pleasing to learn that Tammy is joining AS ROMA. This means now Jose Mourinho has a formidable and dependable striker In Tammy Abrahams. Personally I have a lot faith, respect and admiration for a young determined English striker. He is an asset to any club. ROMA AS are luck to sign such a an exciting striker
Roma should do anything possible to acquired the service of this young man he is good striker.
This is a rebuilding process, many more changes might be needed to make @As Roma ready to win trophies. Though, with Jose Mourinho, things will get better this season and trophies should start coming from next season. Hala Roma!