AC Milan has obviously been the busiest Italian side with their extravagant spending spree this summer. But AS Roma can brag to have gotten the best quality for very little thus far.
Here we examine the club’s 10 new additions and how they can blend with Eusebio Di Francesco new project in Rome.
1 - Rick Karsdorp
In Rick Karsdorp, Roma has snapped up the best right-back from the Dutch Eredivisie for a measly £16m. A modern day right-back, blessed with exceptional pace, sleek feet and crossing ability, the 22-year-old will surely continue his incredible progress in Italy.
2 - Cengiz Ünder
Roma grasped that their over reliance on Edin Dzeko for goals could prove costly next season, hence the addition of Turkish youngster, Cengiz Ünder. The 20-year-old who scored seven goals last season for Başakşehir cost Giallorossi around £12m.
3 - Bruno Peres
Karsdorp wasn’t the only full back captured by the capital club, Bruno Peres also joined from Torino. After impressing on loan the last campaign, Roma wasted very limited time in meeting his £13m fee.
4 - Lorenzo Pellegrini
Lorenzo Pellegrini returns to his childhood club after two successful years at Sassuolo. The attacking midfielder, now reunited with Di Francesco, will be expected to fill the colossal void left by Mohamed Salah.
5 - Juan Jesus
Brazilian defender, Juan Jesus, was rewarded for his impressive loan spell at the Stadio Olimpico with a permanent deal. The 26-year-old centre-back leaves Inter Milan where he spent five years, amassing over 100 appearances.
6 - Héctor Moreno
Experienced Mexican defender, Héctor Moreno, could just be the perfect partner for Jesus in Roma’s new-look backline. The 29-year-old who has played in the Netherlands, Mexico and Spain joined the club for a fee of around £4.85m.
7 - Maxime Gonalons
In the quest to shore up the midfield, Roma brought in Maxime Gonalons from Lyon for just £4.25m. A veteran of the French Ligue 1 having played over 200 games, Gonalos will most likely be used as a cover for Radja Nainggolan and Kevin Strootman.
8 - Aleksandar Kolarov
Another veteran linking up with Giallorossi for same fee as Gonalons is ex-Manchester City defender, Aleksandar Kolarov. The 31-year-old defender-cum-attacker knows the nitty-gritty of the Italian top flight, having previously kitted for Lazio between 2007 and 2010. He is almost certain to head straight into Di Francesco’s first team owing to his rich resume and experience.
9 - Grégoire Defrel
It appears Dzeko now has plenty work on his hands to keep his place as Roma’s first choice striker following the arrival of Grégoire Defrel on loan from Sassuolo. Defrel is one of Di Francesco’s faithful stalwarts at Mapei Stadium-Città where he notched 20 goals in two years. The Frenchman, known for his superb dribbling ability, should have no qualms adjusting to life at the Stadio Olimpico.
10 - Federico Fazio
Federico Fazio is fondly remembered for his sterile stint at Tottenham where he spent almost all his time out on loan. One of those was at Roma last season. But somehow, Fazio managed to impress in Rome, featuring 37 times and scoring two goals. Now signed for £2.72m, the 30-year-old Argentine will be hoping to consolidate on his first year at the club.
