Sabatini on Roma’s summer transfer window

Walter Sabatini was quizzed by the media on Tuesday night about Roma’s summer transfer plans.

Here’s what the sporting director had to say…

Alisson…

"Since [Tuesday] morning we've had a very important player with us, who starts for Brazil. He was welcomed by people telling him that there's competition for the No.1 shirt involving four or five goalkeepers. I want to tell anyone who's worried about competition for the goalkeeper's spot to keep calm. Szczesny is an Arsenal player and we'll see if we can keep him at Roma. In the meantime, we've acquired an incredibly talented 23-year-old who will be playing in the Copa America. I'm joking about goalkeepers because I opened the paper this morning and read that Roma are creating confusion with their keepers: Roma have just brought in the man who plays in goal for Brazil."

Stephan El Shaarawy…

"We're very happy with the idea of keeping him here. We have an option on him that we want to act upon. He has settled in very well with his team-mates and the coach so we don't really have any doubts on that."

On having to let top players go…

"We'll try not to do that, but things are moving and we have lots of players here and there. We'll make decisions in the transfer market that suit us and the club has not decided to dispose of our important players. The team is still at work and sets off to play a friendly soon. We'll put all our objectives and issues under the microscope, but we'll reach our aim as Roma have always managed to do. We've always been able to field competitive teams and that will happen again next year. However, as Luciano Spalletti has already said, sometimes players find themselves faced with enticing offers."

Lucas Digne…

"The tenacious Digne? We'll have to push that one through with PSG; the lad deserves it. He has worked hard and played well. We want to keep him here and I'm sure we'll reach an agreement."

Italian talent…

"Perhaps I was misunderstood on this issue. I said that it's not easy finding young Italian talent that matches the calibre of a club like Roma and this is a structural problem in Italian football. I can promise anyone I sign that I'll do everything possible to ensure they're able to carry out their profession. They need to get experience.

“Many of the players who have been mentioned are still on Roma's books. Primavera teams don't offer you the finished article. We're crying out for B teams that can play in different leagues, with movement permitted throughout the season – we could then keep a smaller squad at Roma and dip into the B team playing in another league. In my eyes that would be a huge step which Italian football doesn't want to make."

Francesco Totti's contract…

"He and the President are discussing it calmly. It is not a financial issue as I have heard people say. I believe it will be resolved in the coming days. The issue with Totti is not financial, it's more general than that and is connected with his future role as a director. He wants his future to be as dazzling as it has been as a player. It will depend on him as well but Totti's contract is not the problem. Taken as a whole, it's a generous offer – any offer doesn't just depend on money. He will always have a vital role at Roma."

Antonio Rudiger…

"It was a real pleasure to read his comments on how he has progressed at Roma but he's not the only one – Lucas Digne said the same thing. It's pleasing for us and all Roma fans. They haven't had the satisfaction of winning the Scudetto but we can be proud of the fact that when players go away to play for their national teams, they say positive things about Roma."

Edin Dzeko…

"He's a really good player. He hasn't been that lucky and at times he's caused a negative reaction because he hasn't been consistent. The coach found a technical and tactical approach with three nimble players in attack. We've been scoring three goals a game using this model – with Dzeko's input as well – so it has been difficult for him to get playing time. If a player of his stature and ability doesn't play frequently, he is going to encounter some difficulties. He's a good player and above all a model professional. Dzeko will never be a problem at Roma."

On whether Miralem Pjanic and Radja Nainggolan will stay…

"As I have said, it depends on the players as well. The task, which I am happy to take on, is to try to keep them at Roma and make the squad competitive, as we have always done over recent years. We'll try to do that and I think we'll manage."

On his own future at Roma…

"The coach has said he wants me to stay. I know what I'm going to do and what I'll do over the coming days is do my utmost for Roma in the transfer market."