As the final sands trickle through the transfer hourglass, the air in Rome is thick with anticipation. AS Roma, under the discerning eye of coach Gian Piero Gasperini, is locked in a frantic race against time to secure a new central striker. The mission is clear: find a player capable of leading the line and transforming the Giallorossi`s attacking prowess, all before the window slams shut on August 31st.
Brobbey: The Primary Target and a Price Tag Predicament
Sporting Director Ricky Massara`s current focus has landed squarely on Amsterdam, specifically on Brian Brobbey of Ajax. Brobbey, a name that has previously crossed Roma`s radar, is now firmly on the sales block, a situation Massara is keen to exploit. With his contract extending until 2027, this summer represents a prime opportunity for Ajax to command a respectable fee.
The Dutch giants are reportedly holding out for €25 million. Roma, however, is a club accustomed to the delicate dance of negotiation, hoping to bring that figure down to a more palatable €20-21 million. This wouldn`t be the first time a club has discovered that market value often begins as a suggestion rather than a decree.
Brobbey`s current standing at Ajax certainly strengthens Roma`s hand. Under new coach John Heitinga, the striker has yet to feature for a single minute in the Eredivisie. His last season wasn`t exactly a highlight reel either, with a modest return of 7 goals and 6 assists across 44 appearances. For a club like Ajax, which is reportedly in need of funds to secure new talent such as Monaco`s Myron Boadu, offloading Brobbey seems to be a strategic imperative. Meanwhile, the prospect of regular first-team football in Serie A could prove a powerful lure for the player, who is also reportedly open to a departure, with Sunderland, Stuttgart, and Rennes also having shown interest.
The Dovbyk Dilemma: An Unconvinced Coach and a Necessary Departure
Before any new attacking talent can grace the hallowed turf of the Stadio Olimpico, a crucial piece of the puzzle must fall into place: the departure of Artem Dovbyk. Despite the customary denials from the club – a tactical move often employed to prevent devaluation – it`s an open secret that Dovbyk has failed to truly impress Gian Piero Gasperini.
The coach`s specific tactical demands and preference for a certain profile of striker mean Dovbyk, for all his efforts, simply isn`t the right fit for his system. This creates a fascinating internal dynamic: the club must navigate the sale of an asset while simultaneously searching for his replacement, all under the intense scrutiny of the Roman faithful.
Gasperini`s Elusive Dream Strikers
The quest for a suitable striker has been a frustrating saga for Gasperini. His initial targets for this transfer window slipped through Roma`s fingers, adding a layer of urgency and perhaps a touch of exasperation to the current pursuit. He had reportedly set his sights on Nikola Krstovic, only to see him join Atalanta for €25 million plus a 10% future resale clause. Then came the disappointment of missing out on Fabio Silva, who opted for Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth €22.5 million, plus €4 million in bonuses, and is already set to debut.
One might almost feel a pang of sympathy for Gasperini, whose carefully curated vision for his attacking line has been repeatedly thwarted. His dreams, it seems, have a peculiar habit of “evaporating” just as they come into focus. Now, Massara bears the weight of finding an alternative that meets the coach`s exacting standards – and quickly.
Beyond Brobbey: The Smart Alternatives
While Brobbey remains the prime target, Massara isn`t putting all his eggs in one Dutch basket. The sporting director`s notebook contains other intriguing names, each presenting a different blend of cost and potential:
- Breel Embolo (Monaco): The Swiss international offers a compelling alternative. With his contract expiring next June (2026), Embolo could be acquired for a more modest €10-12 million. His track record of 7 goals and 9 assists in 42 appearances for Monaco last season suggests a capable forward who could provide immediate impact without breaking the bank. Given his contract situation, this is undoubtedly the “value option” in the market.
- Emmanuel Emegha (Strasbourg): A younger prospect, the Dutch striker enjoyed a productive season last year with 14 goals in 29 matches and has already started the current campaign strongly. However, youth and a longer contract come at a premium; Emegha is valued at €22-25 million, making him significantly more expensive than Embolo.
The prospect of a Dovbyk-Gimenez swap deal with AC Milan appears to be a non-starter, further narrowing Massara`s options as the deadline looms.
With only days remaining in the transfer window, the pressure on AS Roma`s hierarchy is immense. Gasperini`s desire for a specific type of attacker is clear, and Massara is working tirelessly to deliver a solution. Whether it`s Brobbey, Embolo, or a late-breaking surprise, the goal is singular: to provide the coach with the firepower he believes is essential for Roma to achieve its ambitions this season. The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the Giallorossi`s summer transfer saga.