Roma advance Garnacho talks with Chelsea as Summerville bid rejected
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Garnacho has made AS Roma his priority destination as contacts continue between the two clubs over a deal. Chelsea are pushing for a permanent sale worth around €40m and have so far resisted Roma’s preferred structure of a loan with an obligation to buy, a stance that has already scuppered one approach from the Serie A club.
Roma’s sporting director, Tony D’Amico, had previously offered a loan fee of €5m with a €35m option to buy that would convert into an obligation under certain conditions, but Chelsea rejected those terms and have since reiterated their position on how they want any deal for the 21-year-old Argentine to be structured.
A similar dynamic has played out over Summerville, with Roma’s opening offer of €40m plus €5m in bonuses for the Dutch winger rejected by West Ham United. Romano reports that the relegated Hammers are now looking to push the asking price up to around €50m, leaving Roma needing to make a fresh offer soon if they want to close the gap and reach an agreement, with the club hoping to have the deal wrapped up by early next week.
Speaking at a press conference, Roma head coach Gasperini addressed Summerville’s situation directly, explaining that any deal would need to fit within the club’s wage structure.
“It’s a choice, not down to the club’s financial availability,” he said. “We decided to set a salary cap and I think that’s right: it isn’t nice for someone who reached the Champions League to immediately see themselves overtaken by someone who has just arrived.
“Plus, it also suits the club. If we can’t stay within the parameters, it’s better to look at other profiles.”
Roma have already added Paulo Dybala on a renewed contract this summer and are keen to bring in a genuine international-standard wide player to support Gasperini’s attacking plans as the club prepares for a return to the Champions League.
Whether that reinforcement ultimately comes from Chelsea, West Ham, or elsewhere is likely to become clearer in the coming days as both negotiations reach a decisive stage.
