Massara: ‘Roma clearer on Raspadori tomorrow, but Man Utd closed Zirkzee talks’

Roma director of sport Ricky Massara confirms Giacomo Raspadori’s situation will be ‘clearer’ on Sunday, while Manchester United ‘completely closed off’ any Joshua Zirkzee talks.

The game with Sassuolo kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Gian Piero Gasperini caused controversy after the midweek 2-0 win away to Lecce when he refused to speak to the media.

This was seen as a way of him protesting the slow movement of their January transfer strategy, but has there been some genuine progress on their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Raspadori?

“The negotiations for Raspadori exist, I think they are reaching a conclusion fairly quickly one way or another. Tomorrow is a plausible time where we can have a clearer view of the whole scenario,” Massara told DAZN Italia.

Gasperini said having the Friedkin family in the Eternal City was more important than their points so far this season. Are they in full alignment with the coach?

“It is always wonderful when the owners are present in Rome, but we do feel their support constantly. Our objective is to help the team and club grow, so we are all aligned in that sense.

“There is a constant discussion that is part of the job, trying to create a team that is as good as possible.”

There have been rumours of Roma interest in Olympique Marseille teenage striker Robinio Vaz.

“He is a great talent, but that seems pretty improbable right now. I don’t think Marseille would want to sell him right now, and if they did there would be a great deal of competition,” replied Massara.

When it comes to Zirkzee, the director warned that Roma can forget about the Manchester United striker after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

“With regards to Zirkzee, at this moment Manchester United have completely closed off any discussion about the transfer market, as with the change of coach, they don’t want any movement. So it seems very improbable that they’ll change their minds.”

Evan Ferguson starts this evening against Sassuolo, but his future is very much in doubt.

“He is here, he’s helping us, he’s improving, as he’s young and arrived from a different league. His improvement has been constant, we’re happy to see him on the field tonight. We hope he will be here for the rest of the season, but we’ll see.”

Wesley is suffering from flu symptoms and only fit for the bench, with Artem Dovbyk, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Leon Bailey and Pierluigi Gollini injured, Neil El Aynaoui and Evan Ndicka at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Although Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso return from suspension, they lose Bryan Cristante to a ban instead.