Summerville Agreement Close but No Final Go-Ahead Yet; Roma Sets Monday-Tuesday Deadline

Atalanta are leading the race to sign Karim Alajbegovic, moving decisively ahead of other Serie A clubs interested in the 18-year-old prospect. The Nerazzurri are preparing a formal offer worth €18–20 million that includes significant bonuses—some of which will be straightforward to activate—and a resale clause. Bayer Leverkusen are holding out for more, but negotiations are ongoing. Roma showed considerable interest before the transfer window opened but have since shifted focus to established players instead. Napoli are unable to pursue new signings due to an oversized squad. Atalanta's appeal rests on offering Alajbegovic immediate prominence, a strong record of developing young talent, and the prospect of playing regular football—advantages other suitors cannot guarantee. The winger, who helped eliminate Italy and appeared in all four World Cup matches (starting three times and scoring once), would benefit from Atalanta's structure to develop away from excessive pressure before eventually stepping up to a bigger club. Atalanta have identified wingers as a priority following their recent coaching change if they are to field a credible 4-3-3 formation. However, given Alajbegovic's calibre, he could feasibly bypass the intermediate stage and join a top-tier team directly. Should Atalanta fail to complete the deal soon, other major suitors are expected to emerge.

Roma's pursuit of Summerville has accelerated after sporting director D'Amico held two separate meetings with the player's agents in recent days—one in the morning and a second in the evening following the Spain–France match. A release clause has emerged in Summerville's contract, valued at €45 million and expiring within 10 days. Roma intends to offer approximately €40 million for the Dutch forward, though wage negotiations remain the sticking point. In June, when Roma first enquired about Summerville, he demanded €6 million net per season—a figure the club considered too high. His performances at the recent World Cup, where he scored two goals but otherwise made limited impact alongside the wider Dutch squad, have shifted the landscape. D'Amico is prepared to put €4 million per season on the table but will not go further. He is pushing for a swift resolution and hopes to finalise the deal before the release clause expires. Roma's alternative target is Chelsea's Garnacho.

Crysencio Summerville remains at the centre of Roma's transfer activity this window. The Dutch winger has impressed at West Ham and at the World Cup, attracting interest from top European clubs including Manchester United, who had placed him high on their shortlist. However, United's pursuit has cooled significantly due to Marcus Rashford's return to fitness. Rashford's high wages—he was not taken up on a permanent deal by Barcelona—create a substantial obstacle to signing another player in that position. Roma continue to track Summerville as a priority target, but face competition from the Premier League side despite United's recent reluctance. According to journalist Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, the Rashford situation has directly dampened United's enthusiasm: "This is a situation influenced by the Rashford matter. He earns such a high salary that, unless he leaves, it is difficult to understand how to sign a player in that position with the necessary financial resources." West Ham are seeking a starting price of 40 million pounds, with English reports suggesting they could demand up to 50 million pounds including add-ons.