A Century of Sensi

Santiago Castro has joined the ranks of Roma's costliest acquisitions, with the club paying 33 million euros in fixed fees and bonuses to secure him. He now ranks fifth in the club's transfer history, sitting between Gabriel Batistuta and Antonio Cassano in the all-time spending table. Patrik Schick remains Roma's record signing at 42 million euros in summer 2017. Artem Dovbyk, who arrived in 2024, cost 41.1 million euros and sits second, followed by Tammy Abraham at 41 million euros in August 2021. The article notes that aside from Abraham's strong first season, all three have delivered performances well below expectations. Gabriel Batistuta was signed for the equivalent of 36.15 million euros in 2000, while Antonio Cassano cost roughly 31 million euros in 2001—both figures now adjusted for inflation and the pre-euro era. Leonardo Spinazzola ranks seventh at 29.5 million euros in summer 2019, though Luca Pellegrini's inclusion in that deal reduced Roma's net outlay to 7.5 million euros. Matías Soulé, who arrived alongside Dovbyk in summer 2024, cost 28.6 million euros and ranks eighth. Steven Nzonzi (26.65 million euros, summer 2018) and Marash Kumbulla (26.5 million euros) complete the top ten.

Roma are in negotiations with Olympiacos to sell midfielder Salah-Eddine on a permanent deal after he completed a season-long loan at PSV. The transfer would bring funds into the club's coffers, providing flexibility for financial compliance with UEFA regulations, though Roma will need a major sale to fully balance the books. Salah-Eddine's potential departure comes as director D'Amico pursues reinforcements for the left wing position following the summer signing of Castro. The club are also exploring alternatives to the ongoing pursuit of Nusa—complicated by the player's high transfer fee—while maintaining contact with Sporting Lisbon over left-back Fresneda.

AS Roma have identified Matías Soulé as their primary candidate for a significant departure before the end of the month, with the transfer designed to generate funds for Financial Fair Play compliance and strengthen other areas of the squad. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly raised tactical and physical concerns about the Argentine winger, preferring a wider player with greater guarantee in the final third and more durability, given Soulé's recent pubic bone issues. The club sees his departure as essential to safeguard key players Evan N'Dicka and Manu Koné, who Gasperini views as non-negotiable. With a residual book value of €15.5 million, a sale in the region of €35 million would deliver a profit of between €20 and €21 million, providing crucial breathing room against UEFA Financial Fair Play rules following the €35 million acquisition of Santiago Castro. Agent Martin Guastadisegno has reportedly sounded out Premier League clubs Sunderland and Fulham, while AC Milan has also received a formal proposal. Juventus are entitled to 10 per cent of any profit above the original €25.6 million purchase price.