Tony D'Amico has offered a comprehensive review of his first summer transfer window as Roma's sporting director, acknowledging that the squad remains one player short despite a market he describes as broadly successful. Speaking at a press conference after the window closed, D'Amico revealed that Roma reduced their wage bill by 15 per cent—almost €20 million—and prioritised renewing contracts for key figures. "The satisfaction or lack thereof we'll assess at year's end," he said. "I'm certainly happy that upon my arrival we retained four players who were protagonists in Roma's return to the Champions League: Dybala, Pellegrini, Cristante and Mancini. I arrived on 20 June when Dybala and Pellegrini were without contracts, with Cristante and Mancini approaching the end of theirs. Perhaps there were different ideas before, but those were my first acquisitions. I thank them because they made themselves available by lowering their wages."
On the offensive flank that Gasperini requested, D'Amico explained the difficulties. "We wanted to strengthen the attacking department and those were the manager's requests," he said. "We haven't shifted any treasure. Mora arrived, who has different characteristics but can play in that role. We were looking for a more physical external attacker. This profile was missing for various reasons." The director pinpointed two specific collapsed deals: Leweling was closed with Stuttgart and the player, but "the player then had a rethink." Similarly, "Luiz Henrique was also closed. There were technical problems that prevented us from completing it. We had an agreement with the player and club but didn't succeed due to technical issues."
D'Amico firmly rejected speculation about internal conflict over midfielder Manu Koné. "There's been a survey, there have been informational contacts with Chelsea on the last day of the market," he explained. "No official offers arrived to approach the player. I read that there would have been Gasperini's resignation, an ultimatum—actually nothing happened. No ultimatum from the manager. Something was imagined that didn't occur." He characterised the summer market as one focused on young, prospective players supported by experienced reinforcements: "We've inserted players of calibre like de Roon and Balerdi. We had the opportunity to make a rejuvenation market and restructure the old historic group. We believe young prospects should be supported by a group of strong men." On the broader strategic picture, D'Amico noted that "the difficulty increases with the Champions League because it takes energy. For the winger we also mean a player who can play a double role. We are slightly short but we are convinced that with good work we can identify another profile in January. One player probably is missing."
D'Amico stressed that Roma's return to Champions League football this season was not his achievement: "Roma returned to the Champions League after many years. We must applaud the ownership, the group and Gasperini who allowed Roma to play for it. I found myself with the Champions League; I didn't earn it. I hope next year to say that I also won the Champions League."
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Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico has given his first public account of the summer transfer window, expressing satisfaction at the club's Champions League qualification while acknowledging the squad remains one player short in attacking areas. D'Amico confirmed that Roma successfully retained key figures including Dybala, Pellegrini, Cristante and Mancini by negotiating wage reductions totalling almost €20 million, a 15 per cent cut to the overall wage bill. He also secured experienced reinforcements including de Roon and Balerdi alongside younger prospects, characterizing the strategy as one of rejuvenation supported by established quality.
Two high-profile attacking signings collapsed during the window. D'Amico revealed that a deal for winger Leweling was agreed with Stuttgart and the player, only for the latter to have a change of heart. Luiz Henrique represented a similar story: Roma reached agreement with both player and club, but technical issues prevented completion. Manager Gian De Roon's request for a more physically imposing external attacker went partially unfilled; Mora arrived but offers a different profile. D'Amico noted that identifying an additional attacking option in January remains part of the plan.
Addressing speculation surrounding midfielder Manu Koné, D'Amico dismissed reports of conflict with manager Gasperini, stating: "No official offers arrived to approach the player" and rejecting claims the manager had issued an ultimatum. He stressed that Roma's Champions League return was an inheritance from previous leadership: "I found myself with the Champions League; I didn't earn it. I hope next year to say that I also won the Champions League."
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“A mercato ormai concluso, Tony D’Amico traccia il bilancio della sua prima sessione estiva da direttore sportivo della Roma. Il dirigente giallorosso ha parlato in conferenza stampa affrontando i principali temi dell’estate: dai vincoli UEFA alla mancata ala offensiva, passando per Koné, Leweling,…”
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