Ghisolfi: Roma ‘worked on Frattesi, Lucca never been an option’ | OneFootball

Roma sporting director Florent Ghisolfi has given an update on Roma’s financial situation and has also given an insight into Roma’s dealings in the transfer market, revealing that the club have been working on a deal for Inter’s Davide Frattesi, but not for Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca.

Roma are in Serie A action against Venezia at 11.30 GMT on Sunday. You can follow the action on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Ghisolfi gave an interview to Corriere della Sera, published on Sunday morning, during which he spoke about Roma’s financial restrictions and their future plans ahead of the summer transfer window.

Ghisolfi: ‘Roma signed a settlement agreement, this is the most restrictive year’

VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 03: Florent Ghisolfi of AS Roma during the Serie A match between Verona and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 03, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Following Claudio Ranieri’s revelations during his recent pre-match press conference, Ghisolfi explained why Roma have not been able to spend as freely as they might have pleased over the last few transfer sessions.

“Ranieri wanted to be transparent because the fans deserve clarity,” Ghisolfi explained.  “The club signed a settlement agreement with UEFA in 2022 in the face of a significant financial deficit. It lasts for four seasons and this is the third, the most restrictive.

“We have worked on the wage bill, getting it to drop by more than 20%, even though some salaries in the squad have increased as was agreed in their contracts.

“We have to be logical and keep faith in an ambitious programme, which includes the 2027 centenary and the new stadium.”

He provided another explanation in even more simple terms: “There’s a speed limit of 30 km/h. But, we have to go at 20 because in the past, we were caught going 50.”

He then revealed that there have never been any official talks between Roma and Udinese for towering centre-forward Lorenzo Lucca, however, Italy international Frattesi remains a strong target for the Giallorossi.

Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Hellas Verona at the Giuseppe-Meazza (San Siro) Stadium in Milan on January 6, 2024. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

“Lucca has never been an option. We were looking for a deputy to Dovbyk, but not a starter. We have worked on Frattesi, with him, with the agent and with Inter. We came close, we’ll see if his arrival is achievable in four months’ time. Him, or a midfielder with his qualities.

“The goal is to find sustainable guarantees to add to those that we already have: Kone, Dybala, Mancini, Ndicka, Svilar, Paredes, who are important on the pitch and in the dressing room.

And on Paulo Dybala’s future, he added: “We are working on the renewal for another year.”