Massara: ‘Roma negotiations in progress for Raspadori, Zirkzee complicated’

Roma director Ricky Massara confirms ‘negotiations are in progress’ for Giacomo Raspadori, while Joshua Zirkzee is complicated by Manchester United sacking Ruben Amorim.

The Serie A trip to Lecce kicks off at the Stadio Via del Mare at 17.00 GMT (16.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Sassuolo-Juventus on the Liveblog.

There is tension in the Giallorossi camp after their 1-0 defeat to Atalanta, which allowed Juventus to catch them in joint fourth place, while Como are also putting pressure on after today’s victory.

The transfer window is now open, and they are trying to secure new strikers, specifically Raspadori from Atletico Madrid and Zirkzee from Manchester United.

There are reports Atletico Madrid would be happy to loan Raspadori out with an option to buy, but meanwhile he is in Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Supercup.

“It’s true that there are negotiations in progress with both Atletico Madrid and Raspadori. The situation is evolving, we knew the timing could be affected by the Spanish Supercup. We expect it to be resolved one way or another fairly soon,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.

Zirkzee’s situation in turn could be affected by the dismissal of Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.

“He is a Manchester United centre-forward liked by many clubs, not just us. Naturally, the situation is different after this change of management, there are no contacts in progress, but I wouldn’t focus on individual names.

“We know this window is an opportunity to reinforce the squad in an area where we have struggled to convert chances into goals, so we will try to use it,” replied Massara.

The squad is decimated by Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso bans, with Evan Ndicka and Neil El Aynaoui at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Lorenzo Pellegrini, Leon Bailey, Tommaso Baldanzi and Pierluigi Gollini didn’t make the trip, while Devyne Rensch was a late addition to the absentee list after coming down with flu symptoms.

“We started over the summer with a process of renewal. We knew it would take a while and several different transfer sessions. There are things we need to do that are not considered an emergency, but rather an opportunity to take,” continued the Roma director.

“Don’t forget this team had a very strong 2025 of a high level and we’d like to keep that going. With so many games close together and players out through injury, international duty, even flu, it might seem to be a weaker squad than usual. However, the team is ready and will step up.”

There is a totally new defence in place with Daniele Ghilardi getting only his sixth appearance for Roma, his second start, and it is also his 23rd birthday.