Ghisolfi on Roma future for Ranieri and Rensch | OneFootball

Roma director Florent Ghisolfi gave an update on the deal for Ajax right-back Devyne Rensch and confirmed Claudio Ranieri ‘will become a great director’ next season.

The Serie A game with Genoa kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Giallorossi started 2025 on the perfect note by beating rivals Lazio 2-1 in the Derby della Capitale, but then had to thank a 98th-minute Artem Dovbyk penalty for their 2-2 draw with Bologna.

It is also the January transfer window and there are reports of a deal in place for Ajax defender Rensch worth €4-5m.

“I don’t want to comment on every name, but we are working on this position. We want a player who can be a right-back, central defender or a wing-back, who can bring consistency to the squad and the mentality to play for Roma,” Ghisolfi told Sky Sport Italia.

Roma try to focus on present rather than future

Devyne Rensch of Ajax in action during the UEFA Champions League group A match between AFC Ajax and SSC Napoli at Johan Cruyff Arena on October 04, 2022 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Ghisolfi was also asked specifically about the interest in bringing Davide Frattesi back to Roma, where he came through their youth academy, even if the asking price at Inter is very high.

“You must understand, I don’t want to talk about players of other clubs, even if they are sons of Rome. The most important thing is this evening’s game against a Genoa side that has not lost away from home under Patrick Vieira, while we have won five in a row at home, so it’s going to be a real battle.

“I know you want to talk about the transfer market, but we have a match to play this evening.”

Ranieri has revitalised Roma since taking over as their third coach of the campaign, but the veteran said these will be his final few months on the bench. Ghisolfi was asked if Roma are making progress in finding a suitable long-term boss.

“Perhaps we can convince the coach to stay! No, I again don’t want to name names. I just want to talk about Mr Ranieri, who is doing an incredible job. It is a great opportunity for me to work with him, I feel he has a dream of taking Roma to another level and I will do everything I can to make that dream come true.”

Are Roma quite sure they can’t convince Ranieri to postpone his retirement for a little longer?

“He said that he will become a director and I think a great director for Roma. Ranieri brought his character, he is a different man who brings calm, serenity, he knows the city and all the players. I am so pleased to be working with him.”