Roma Signs Anass Salah-Eddine, Lucas Gourna-Douath & Victor Nelsson to End Janaury #2539
This past week the transfer window has come to a close. Roma signed Ajax fullback 21-year-old Devyne Rensch. They also brought in Pierluigi Gollini as the number-one goalkeeper making a permanent move from Atalanta after spending recent years at Napoli and Genoa. However, in the closing days of the transfer window particularly the last 24 to 48 hours, they went back into the Eredivisie to get another fullback. As they signed Anass Salah-Eddine reached an agreement with Twente on a permanent deal for 8 million. They also added a center back signing Victor Nelsson from Galatasaray on loan with an option to purchase at the end of the deal and then finally They addressed the midfield signing 21-year-old from Salzburg Lucas Gourna-Douath on a loan deal that becomes permanent if certain obligations are met for around 18 million. Roma ended up having a very Strong window at the end of it. Adding five new players in January as the transfer window came to a close.
Anass Salah-Eddine from Twente 8M
The Dutch fullback has spent the entirety of his career in the Eredivisie In playing for three different clubs throughout he started with AZ In his youth. Spanning from 2015 to 2018. He made a move Ajax. He eventually broke through in 2020, playing in the second division in the Netherlands with Jong Ajax. He made one appearance with Ajax In 2021. In the 2022-2023 season he was loaned to fellow Dutch side Twente He played 17 matches that season. He was one of their highest-rated players that season. They finished 5th back campaign. The following season he played nine matches He had one assist during those nine games. In February he returned to Twente on a permanent deal. He played six matches the rest of that season with another assist added. This campaign thus far he has played 29 matches as he has put together his biggest production this season. He has two goals and four assists this campaign. This season both in the league and the Europa League. This prompted the move to Roma in the late portions of the transfer window. The negotiations didn't start until the last couple of weeks. Then negotiations went very smoothly. He has played previously with Roma's first signing of the transfer window Devyne Rensch. They play Venezia on Sunday. He is expected to be granted his first start with his new club. He has only played a total of 62 matches in his career thus far. He has an opportunity to be among Roma's options as a fullback. He is more comfortable on the left side but when is winning be versatile and adapt to the situation that Ranieri wants to play. He has a considerably good profile and will have the capacity to impact Roma early on during the second half of the season. He is incredibly athletic and versatile. Very comfortable with the ball on his feet in most situations. Very strong technique. Outstanding passing ability + capacity to send crosses into the box accurately. The reality is Rome are only really getting service from one side of the pitch. Outside of Angelino, the other fullback regardless of who it has been has not been able to facilitate much in the middle for their attackers. He also has some reasonable abilities in the defensive phase as well. This isn't necessarily a one-dimensional player. He is stronger in the attack but he has some defensive work rate. With good dribbling man marking and the ability to make interceptions and tackles. This didn't cost very much. Certainly does fit the profile of what Roma needs with some of the departures we've seen at that position lately as well as some of the arrivals Roma wants to be as deep as they possibly can on the outside. With the likes of Dybala and Artem Dovbyk In the attack. Good service. Coming from both the left and right side will only pay off with the arrival of Anass Salah-Eddine.
Victor Nelsson Galatasaray Loan +12M Buy Option
Victor Nelsson arrives as a new center-back at Roma. The Danish center-back got his start at Hornbæk where he spent the majority of his youth career. Being a part of the academy from 2002 to 2010. He eventually moved to a bigger powerhouse inside of Danish football. Nordsjaælland He was a part of their youth academy from 2010 to 2016. He made his breakthrough in 2016, joining the first team. He made 23 appearances in his first season with one assist as they finished 5th in the league. The following season they finished in 6th. He made 32 appearances with one goal. In his final season at the club, he made 41 appearances in what was his highest-rated season at the club just the one assist that season. The following season he moved to Danish powerhouse FC Copenhagen He made 52 appearances that season including 12 matches in the Europa League. However, Copenhagen finished second in the league. The next season they finished third in the league he made 30 appearances scoring. Just one goal. The following season he would be on the move again. After making four appearances that season still without any titles despite the size of Copenhagen in Denmark, he made the move to Turkey to join Galatasaray for 7 million. Unfortunately, his first season in Turkey. He was a part of their worst season in a decade finishing 13th that season making 45 appearances that campaign. The next season he made 35 appearances scoring a goal, and winning the Turkish Super Liga as they bounced back. Then last season He had his best campaign with 46 appearances. Two goals won the league with a historic season of 102 points. He had played 18 matches this season before the move to Roma Against Milan in the Copa Italia he came on for the last 5 minutes officially making his debut. It gives Roma a bit more flexibility at the center-back position. Roma needed a bit more rotation in that area. Although their backline is somewhat defined, he adds an element of quality to the defensive area which has been up and down this season. They've been sharp in some cases and in others they have floundered under the pressure. He is a very disciplined center-back with a high IQ. Able to dissect the game very effectively. Very organized with strong positioning making him a strong asset for Roma. Good ball-playing ability. Comfortable in possession and doesn't make mistakes very often. Will give Roma a sense of ease when it comes to that. He has strong abilities and fits the profile in several areas. Good ball skills and distribution. Also very effective in the defensive area in terms of interception passes and being an efficient tackler. He will rotate this season among Matt Hummels, Gianluca Mancini & Evan Ndicka Roma doesn't have a lot of depth at the center-back position. His arrival will certainly add to that in case of injury as well. Give Roma a chance to rotate the squad with Matt Hummels at 36 years old. Still in the ranks. Will probably not be able to consistently give Roma 90 minutes match in and match out. Although the German center-back has been good this season when he's been picked, he's just not going to have the motor of someone a bit younger. The Danish international is only 26 years old and the deal itself is reasonably cheap, especially in the center-back market and how expensive they tend to be. It is a win-win for both sides. I suspect he will play a solid amount of games this season and also will give Roma a sense of stability.
Lucas Gourna-Douath RB Salzburg Loan+ Buy Option 18M
In the closing hours of the transfer window, Roma made a splurge on young midfielder out of RB Salzburg Lucas Gourna-Douath. The 21-year-old is now just starting to ascend as a midfield prodigy. The French midfielder comes into Roma with the possibility to contribute immediately along with being very young with a high potential. It is partly why the buy option is a bit more expensive. It becomes mandatory after certain things are met. He spent the majority of his youth career throughout the different clubs and levels in France. He was at Saint-Etienne Youth Academy from 2018 to 2020. He made his breakthrough in the Ligue I In 2020. As a teenager, he made 30 appearances in his first season. Saint-Etienne finished 11th in the table. His first season. The very next season he was even better making 35 appearances scoring once that season. Unfortunately, the club was relegated that season. No fault of his own. Following the relegation of his boyhood club. The young midfielder made a move to Austrian Giants RB Salzburg. This is where he started to become a more refined sort of player. His first season in Austria. He was one of the club, most consistent performers and highest-rated players. He made eight appearances in Europe, six in the Champions League and two in the Europa League. They won the title that season as they finished 10 points clear of second place. His next season he was even better as he took a bigger step forward Salzburg finished top of the table during the regular season that year but did end up losing the title to SK Sturm Graz In the second phase by two points. Through 35 appearances he had one goal into assists. Still only at 21 years old. He comes into a midfield that he could contribute heavily during the second half of the season and even beyond In the high likelihood that he remains beyond this season. Roma would not have done the deal without that sort of intention. As of right now, the only consistent pieces they have in midfield beyond this season are Manu Kone & Niccolò Pisilli. Lorenzo Pellegrini very easily. Could be in that bunch as well, but many see him more as an attacking piece than a pillar of a midfield tandem. Paredes is very likely to return to South America next season as Boca Juniors seemingly planning to strike a deal with the World Cup winner in the summer, this signing has the thought in mind that they will lose the Argentine midfielder after the season. Roma now has a young 21-year-old in midfield who debuted at 16 years old and can come in and contribute primarily in the defensive area. The idea is paring him with box-to-box midfielder Kone who shares his same nationality. Kone In all likelihood, probably have at least some relationship at some level considering they have gone through the French setup together. Although he's played mostly in Germany Kone has represented France internationally at every stage. He is expected to start Sunday against Venezia. A good opportunity to be able for him to show his qualities, particularly against a bottom-tier side in which Roma should be able to collect maximum points. In terms of a player profile, he fits the mold completely. He has physical traits fitting the perfect build of a holding midfielder at 6'1 as he is towering over most midfielders in that area. He can be a physicality and a nightmare to contend with. He has exceptional defensive capabilities allowing him to cut back into the defensive area to help the defense if needed. But also, although he's not a goal-scoring midfielder can patrol the center in a different sort of way pushing forward giving Roma the best of both worlds with this one. He also possesses strong passing and vision that allows him to be a creative player in the middle of the park. Another wild card thing is he has strong stamina and works right. Allowing him to go for large periods without tiring. This could be potentially useful In big matches against the top six as Roma tries to make up ground. The main assets he has is defensive awareness as I've already mentioned, physicality, Ball progression, tactical versatility, and adaptability although he's probably most comfortable playing a defensive midfielder, he is capable of playing a central midfield role as well as an attacking midfielder role if needed. If needed. It is fair to say the attacking midfield role is not always going to be in Ranieri's lineup and if it is, it is likely to be occupied by Lorenzo Pellegrini. However, it shows that he can be used there if needed. Then finally ball progression. He has the necessary traits to be very effective for this Roma side this season, particularly during the second half of the campaign as they will try to strive for European football through the league as well as through success in European competition in the Europa League. An excellent coupe. A very young player who will only develop under Ranieri this seasoned and have a chance to prove himself at a high level in Italy in the capital.
