Ranieri issues brutal verdict on Dybala & Pellegrini Roma contracts: ‘We need to lower our wage bill’

Claudio Ranieri has admitted Roma may have to part ways with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini as the club look to reduce their wage bill in line with Financial Fair Play regulations.

Speaking to Sky Sport, via Goal, the senior advisor to the Friedkin ownership group outlined Roma’s long-term plans and addressed the futures of two of their highest-profile players, both of whom are approaching the final stages of their contracts.

“For the survival of the club, we need to lower the wage bill, otherwise we can’t manage,” Ranieri said.

“It’s not that the club doesn’t want to [keep them], but we have to reduce it because of Financial Fair Play. Based on what they’ve done on the pitch, what the coach tells us and what their demands will be, if we can find an agreement then good. Otherwise, we’ll shake hands and part ways.”

Ranieri also discussed Roma’s broader project under the Friedkins and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

“Gasperini is a coach chosen together with the club. The desire is to go as high as possible, but we know we are building,” he explained.

“At the start of the season I said we would go through two difficult transfer windows. I didn’t expect to see these signings. That shows how good Gasperini is, he brought in Malen and Zaragoza. Vaz was a signing everyone wanted.”

He described the working relationship between Gasperini and sporting director Ricky Massara as a balance of contrasting personalities.

“Gasperini hammers everyone, that’s his strength. That’s the type of coach and person he is. Massara is very thoughtful, he absorbs a lot and tries to do his job. He listens to the coach and understands what he can do. And I’m in the middle.”

On the Friedkins’ ambitions, Ranieri made clear the ownership have a structured plan for the club’s growth.

“The new stadium already shows how involved they are. They signed a coach on a three-year deal and the request was: we want to reach the Champions League, stay there, and then there will be the year to win the Scudetto. That’s their way of operating. We are building and growing.”