Roma and Marseille negotiate: possible exchange between N'Dicka and Ismaël Koné

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Roma is working to meet the deadlines imposed by UEFA’s financial fair play and, in these hours, the Giallorossi club is intensifying contacts with Olympique Marseille to close a deal that could prove decisive: the exchange between Evan N’Dicka and Ismaël Koné. A complicated negotiation, but one that the two clubs are trying to concretize by June 30, a deadline by which Roma must realize a significant capital gain to settle the accounts.

Evan N’Dicka, who arrived two seasons ago on a zero-parameter basis from Eintracht Frankfurt, represents one of the best solutions to generate a net capital gain. The Ivorian defender is highly valued by Roberto De Zerbi, who would have identified him as the ideal profile to reinforce his rearguard. However, OM does not seem to be able to meet Roma’s economic demands for an outright transfer, which is why an exchange formula with the young Canadian midfielder is being studied.

Ismaël Koné, class of 2002, has played the last six months on loan at Rennes collecting 22 appearances and 2 goals, and represents a profile that Giallorossi sporting director Frederic Massara knows well. Massara himself would be the main proponent of the deal, convinced that the midfielder could be an interesting reinforcement for Roma’s squad.

Despite the clubs’ willingness to go ahead with the exchange, the negotiation remains complex. Indeed, it will be necessary to understand the position of N’Dicka, who has also attracted the interest of several Premier League clubs in recent months, and to assess Koné’s willingness to move to Serie A. It also remains to define the economic issue to balance the operation, considering Roma’s need to collect a useful amount to fix the budget.

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