Rome Transfer Market: Bid for Winger Fails; Gasperini Holds Onto Koné

No left winger for Gian Piero Gasperini: Roma’s transfer dealings did not end with a deal on the final day of the summer transfer window. The Giallorossi had Jamie Leweling in the bag after reaching an agreement with Stuttgart, which had accepted the offer of 30 million euros plus bonuses for the German player.

The deal was delayed by the player’s initial reluctance and then definitively called off after the German winger’s flight to Ciampino for his medical exam and contract signing was canceled. Leweling reportedly also turned down an offer from Everton and is expected to remain in Germany.

It didn’t work out for the other winger targeted by Giallorossi executives, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, either: Chelsea refused to consider a loan deal for the player. The Blues were ready to include the left winger in a major deal to acquire Manu Koné, but Gian Piero Gasperini vetoed the sale of the French midfielder, who thus remained in Rome.

The club, however, has officially bid farewell to Neil El Aynaoui, who has been transferred to Leipzig. The player had been replaced in recent days by Marten De Roon, who arrived from Atalanta. “AS Roma announces that it has reached an agreement with Leipzig for the transfer of Neil El Aynaoui. The deal is structured as a loan with an option to buy. While with the Giallorossi, the midfielder made 35 appearances across league and cup competitions, scoring 2 goals. Best of luck in the future, Neil!” reads the Giallorossi club’s statement.

As for wingers, Roma had also explored the possibility of signing Luiz Henrique, a forward for Zenit St. Petersburg. The Brazilian had expressed his desire to move to the capital, giving priority to the Giallorossi over any other potential offers. A deal for a €5 million loan with an option to buy set at €30 million seemed within reach, but negotiations stalled in the final hours, as Gasperini showed greater preference for Leweling, whom he considered more tactically versatile.