Midtjylland Director Backs Osorio for Serie A, Compares Him to Alexis Sánchez

Sean Sogliano, Verona's sporting director, is close to signing a contract extension with the club through 2029, effectively ending speculation about a potential move to AS Roma. The extension comes despite Verona's recent mathematical relegation from Serie A following Lecce's victory over Pisa. Roma has been searching for a new sporting director after Massara's expected departure. Sogliano had been among the names linked with the Giallorossi, but he has chosen to remain with Hellas Verona rather than make the step up to a larger club. The matter is expected to be discussed during a meeting between Ryan Friedkin and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini scheduled for today, which will also cover the club's overall transfer strategy and other personnel decisions. Other candidates reportedly on Roma's radar for the sporting director role include D'Amico, Giuntoli, Manna, and Paratici. The timing of these discussions coincides with broader changes in the club's structure as The Friedkin Group continues to shape the organisation ahead of the new season.

Ryan Friedkin, owner of AS Roma through The Friedkin Group, is expected to visit Trigoria, the club's training ground, for a series of key meetings about Roma's future direction. The primary discussion will be with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, with several critical topics on the agenda: the vacant sporting director position—as current director Massara is reportedly close to departing—and planning for the summer transfer window. The meeting is considered pivotal in defining Roma's identity and establishing a clear strategic direction for the club. Gasperini is expected to emphasize the need for a more focused transfer approach: fewer wasteful spending and greater quality, with signings tailored specifically to his tactical system. The coach will seek assurance of consistency between technical vision and market activity. This comes as Roma works to rebuild and return to the level of Serie A's top clubs, with the coaching staff prioritizing targeted investments in players suited to the team's philosophy rather than speculative acquisitions. The timing of the meeting underscores the sense of urgency within the club to establish clear governance and transfer planning after a period of uncertainty. The outcome of this summit between ownership and Gasperini is expected to shape Roma's recruitment priorities and overall strategic framework for the remainder of the year.

Dario Osorio, a 2004-born Chilean winger at FC Midtjylland, has emerged as a target in Roma's transfer plans. The 21-year-old has impressed this season with the Danish club, establishing himself as one of the most promising talents in Chilean football. Osorio can play across both flanks and has been compared to Alexis Sanchez for his potential at elite level. Roma's interest in Osorio is not recent; the club had tracked him in previous months, and his profile may become relevant again in the upcoming transfer window. The Midtjylland technical director, Kjaer, publicly endorsed the player in an interview, stating: "He is without doubt ready for Serie A, just as much as for the Premier League and the Bundesliga. He has great qualities: this season he is covering the entire right flank. He is very fast, covers a lot of ground and is very intense. He has an exceptional burst in the first metres and is very effective in pressing. He can play on both flanks, has a left foot of great quality and loves combining with teammates." Kjaer also highlighted Osorio's trajectory and tactical versatility: "He is a 2004 and is by far the most important talent and the player with the highest prospect in Chilean football. He is often compared to Alexis Sanchez. I have no doubts: he can establish himself in the best championships in the world." The player is capable of operating in 4-3-3, 3-4-3, and 3-5-2 formations, according to his club.