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Gandini: We're assessing our options in the transfer market

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The chief executive admits Stadio della Roma is one of the key club priorities for 2017, as he reveals Roma are looking at strengthening where possible in January transfer window.

Roma chief executive Umberto Gandini has revealed the club are looking at its options in the transfer market this month - and admits Stadio della Roma is a 'top priority in 2017'.

Gandini, who joined the Giallorossi from AC Milan in the second half of 2016, spoke to Sky Sports Italia on Thursday about the transition - saying he had been impressed by the infrastructure at the club since arriving.

See what else Gandini had to say in the transcript below...

What's surprised you most in your first few months at Roma?

“I've been impressed by the passion and the professionalism here and by the love this city has for the team. I can't really give a proper assessment after just four months but it's been a very smooth transition.”

What do Roma need to win?

“I don't think this club needs anything else really but if we want to find something perhaps just a little bit of self-belief. I think that's slowly growing within the team – it's something I've noticed throughout the club since the day I joined. It's one of the things the players are acquiring under Luciano Spalletti: the awareness that they're a great team.”

Do you see that awareness within the club too?

“All great clubs and all successful teams have a set-up behind them that instils the right values and determination in the people who go out there on the pitch to win games.”

Do you think James Pallotta and Silvio Berlusconi have much in common?

“It's hard to compare them after such a short time. They're both very passionate and they both have great vision – they see things before others and they believe very much in innovation. They've followed very different career paths but they've both succeeded because of their ability to create value around them and in their businesses. I'll have to get to know president Pallotta a bit better before I can really compare them.”

Will 2017 be the year you break ground on Stadio della Roma?

“That's one of the top priorities for everyone at the club, from the president down. It's a far-reaching project and hugely important not just for the club but also for Rome, Italy and Italian football. Hopefully it will happen as soon as possible.”

What opportunities does Stadio della Roma offer the city of Rome in particular?

“In the short term, building work will mean around 1500 jobs in the construction sector. Then, once it's up and running, there will be 4000 jobs throughout the area. A study by Sapienza University provides some important financial figures regarding the impact on the area and the city as a whole. The chance to have a new entertainment hub in a city like Rome is a huge incentive.”

Meanwhile in the current stadium you have the long-running barrier problem, which has caused so much discontent among the fans...

“We're in constant contact with the authorities. We're aware of the problems, we're doing everything we can and we'll continue doing everything we can to reach a positive conclusion for the Curva Sud issue. We want to recreate the conditions that will bring back that magical atmosphere I saw at the Olimpico every time I came here as an opponent for Roma v Milan matches in the past. Speaking of which, I think the game against the Rossoneri before Christmas was a brilliant advert for Italian football. The team and the club are doing everything they possibly can to bring back the people who are passionate about Roma. They have to fall in love with the stadium they were used to going to again – that's our message for the new year.”

What are your plans for the January window?

“We already have a highly competitive squad and we feel we have good cover in all areas. Obviously we'll keep on the lookout to see if we can improve at all. In the first five months of the season we had a few problems in terms of numbers due to injuries but we still won games, even when we were missing players like [Mohamed] Salah, for example. The team have shown they can make up for any absences. Momo's gone away for the Africa Cup of Nations now and [Juan Manuel] Iturbe has moved on because he wanted to play more, so we'll certainly be looking to add something up front. We're assessing the options available to us in what is a changing market.”

When will you discuss Spalletti's contact extension?

“All I can do is repeat what the club has already said. The path ahead is very clear and there's complete transparency. It's the players and the results they achieve that will determine whether or not Spalletti renews his contract – that's what the coach wants and we support him as a club. We're delighted with how the team are playing under Luciano: we've had a great year. The situation is completely transparent and the coach has our support: we're moving forward together on the path we've decided to take.”

What about the contracts of Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi?

“Everything's clear on that front too. We talk to Francesco and Daniele every day. They're there for the team and they do their jobs with impeccable professionalism. They're absolute top-class pedigree. They'll make up their own minds about what they want to do and then we'll sit down and listen to them. The pair of them are assets both to Italian football and the global game.”