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Roma have grabbed the transfer spotlight as they have closed a deal to bring in Barcelona’s Bojan Krkic. The transfer fee is reported to be 12 million euros, but it is a somewhat convoluted deal that includes a 13 million euro buy-back clause after the 2012-13 season that Roma can negate by paying an additional 28 million.
It is a creative solution that essentially protects Barcelona’s investment in Bojan. For all intents and purposes, Barcelona is loaning Roma the player for two seasons, hopefully allowing him the playing time he likely wouldn’t get in Spain. Even though Bojan has not been a first-team regular for the European champions since arriving in 2007, the nature of the transaction speaks to how highly the 20 year old Catalonia native is rated at the Camp Nou.
At the same time, it is a low-risk high-reward deal for Roma. Bojan is one of Europe’s most talented young players, and new coach Luis Enrique knows that more than anyone, having coached him with the Barcelona B squad. Should Bojan flourish in the capitol it would cost Roma only a million euros for his time. And we all know that in two years that 28 million price tag will be negotiable.
Meanwhile, here’s more transfer news involving Roma:
Roma told to up the offer for Stekelenburg
Roma are continuing their pursuit of Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. It appears Ajax have rejected Roma’s initial 5 million euro bid for the Dutch international and it remains to be seen if Roma will increase their offer. Stekelenburg is a talented and accomplished keeper, but how much is Roma willing to pay?
Gabriel Heinze Signs One-Year Deal
The Giallorossi also appear to be on the verge of signing free agent defender Gabriel Heinze to a one year deal. The 33 year old Argentinian played in France last season for Marseille, scoring 4 goals in 38 appearances.
Can Roma Hold on to Their Stars?
Roma has certainly been busy trying to bring in new players, but the real intrigue during this transfer window revolves around the club’s current roster. John Arne Riise has already left for Fulham, while goalkeeper Alexander Doni signed with Liverpool earlier this summer. And they may not be the last to exit.
Reports out of France today suggest PSG are about to launch a bid for Jeremy Menez, while many clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, have been linked with striker Mirko Vucinic.
But Roma supporters are nervously biting their nails over the future of midfielder Daniele De Rossi. The 27 year old has one year left on his contract, and he has been linked to clubs with plenty of cash to spend.
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Roma is my favorite team. This all sounds like good news to me. Don’t forget Lamela, Espanyol’s GK, another young French defender, and Jose Angel. As far as the existing starts, Menez and Vucinic can go if they want to. I hope they stay and love both of them, but only players that want to be apart of this new Roma should stay. De Rossi is here to stay, just wait and see.
Alan, I think every football fan on the peninsula would like to see De Rossi stay. He is a great player and I can’t imagine him playing anywhere else. But Vucinic and Menez are talented players. A new owner with what appears to be a lot of ambition should appeal to those players. But who knows what the knew coach thinks of them…
I would love to see them play, but I hope that he doesn’t make them stay. Besides, I just heard that Menez went to PSG and it is now official. He was one of my favorites, but if his heart was not in Roma anymore, then it is best for him to leave. He will still be one of my favorites.
bojan is a great deal for roma. he will be a world class player in a few years