Juventus explores Soulé return with contacts underway

The Friedkin Group has signaled it will not rush into bargain sales of key Roma players before the June 30 deadline tied to the club's UEFA settlement agreement. The ownership is willing to risk potential sanctions to build a strong squad for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Matías Soulé, widely expected to depart, has shown little enthusiasm for Saudi Arabian offers and has received a surprise inquiry from Juventus. Midfielder Édouard Mendy's preference for the Premier League has cooled with Arsenal and Chelsea shifting focus elsewhere, leaving only Atlético Madrid's offer on the table—one Mendy is reluctant to accept. Defender Evan Ndicka remains a target for Inter but is considered untouchable by Gasperini, alongside Mile Svilar, Wesley, Niccolò Pisilli, and Donyell Malen. The Friedkin family has reaffirmed its resolve: no distressed sales. Roma believes it can address UEFA's requirements through other means, including recent player sales, wage restructuring from Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini renewals, foreign broadcast rights (€20 million), compensation from Nicolò Bove (€10 million), and ongoing disputes with Basel over the Riccardo Calafiori resale (€6 million). The club expects to face a financial penalty rather than more severe sanctions, given its track record of compliance over three years of UEFA monitoring. Roma's aim is to avoid becoming a feeder club and instead retain a competitive nucleus capable of competing across three fronts.

Roma's management is working against the June 30 deadline as the transfer window approaches. The club's leadership hopes to navigate the end of the financial year without losing key players. Matías Soulé's future remains a topic of focus, with his status potentially at risk. Roma appears committed to avoiding significant departures during this critical period, though details on specific contract negotiations and player retention strategies remain unclear.

Matías Soulé remains the most likely AS Roma departure before the 30 June transfer window closes, but the club has yet to receive satisfactory offers for the 18-year-old Argentine winger. German clubs Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart expressed interest but were unwilling to meet Roma's asking price. Saudi Arabian offers have also failed to convince Soulé, who was born in Mar del Plata. Now Juventus has re-entered the picture in what would be a remarkable turn of events. The Turin club, which sold Soulé to Roma for nearly 30 million euros in summer 2024, has reportedly renewed contact with the player in recent days. Juventus's sporting director Carnevali is said to have placed Soulé back on the club's radar as a potential option. Roma's position remains firm on valuation, with the club holding out for a fee they deem acceptable rather than accepting lower bids. The timeline is tight, with only days remaining before the transfer window deadline.