AS Roma Secure Daniele Ghilardi from Hellas Verona in €10m Deal

AS Roma have completed the signing of centre-back Daniele Ghilardi from Hellas Verona for €10 million, plus bonuses. The 21-year-old defender is set to undergo a medical in Rome before joining his new teammates for pre-season training this week. Ghilardi has agreed to join AS Roma on a contract until 2030.

WHAT HAPPENED?

AS Roma have finalized the transfer for Hellas Verona centre-back Daniele Ghilardi for €10 million plus bonuses, according to reports. The club is looking to make its first signing of the summer, just a few weeks before the start of the pre-season in the Italian capital.

Roma have reached an agreement with Verona for the highly-rated Italy Under-21 international, who has attracted attention from foreign clubs, and Ghilardi will travel to Rome on Monday morning to complete the deal. Ghilardi is an aggressive, ball-playing centre-back who has been one of the most impressive players for his age in Italy over the last two seasons.

WHY ROMA MADE THE MOVE

Roma have been struggling defensively this season, conceding 49 goals in Serie A, and have been trying to cash in on some of their backup centre-backs such as Chris Smalling and Roger Ibanez.

While Ghilardi is expected to be paired with fellow Italian Mancini in defense, Roma are also targeting another center-back to bolster their backline. They have been linked with a move for Bayern Munich’s Lucas Hernandez, who is out of favor at the Allianz Arena.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ghilardi is set to become one more signing of the Gian Piero Gasperini-led Roma, with the former Atalanta manager taking over as head coach at the Olimpico Stadium earlier this month.

The summer transfer window is yet to officially open, but Roma are already making moves to ensure they are ready for the start of the 2021-22 season. While they have completed the signing of Ghilardi, they would also be looking to refresh their team in midfield and attack this summer.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ROMA?

Roma have their work cut out to improve their backline and find the goals they have been missing this season, but are not expected to make any drastic changes this summer. Ghilardi is a step in the right direction, as he is still in the early stages of his career, but is established enough to slot straight into the team.

Ghilardi has been a mainstay of the Roma defense this season, and his signing is a sign of intent from the club that they want to change the profile of the side in defense. Instead of relying on older players such as Mancini, they now have two center-backs aged 25 and 26 who can play the ball out from the back and are comfortable in possession.