Winter Transfer Preview: Strategies, Sales, Signings & More!

The January transfer window seldom packs the same punch as its summer counterpart, but every so often, the clubs, players, and all manner of back-alley agents treat us to a midseason surprise or two. While it didn’t exactly garner headlines in every corner of the globe, Roma pulled a rabbit out of its hat last winter when they landed Tommaso Baldanzi from Empoli, following that up with the acquisitions of Angeliño and Dean Huijsen.

While it’s still far too early to issue any definitive judgments on those transactions, the early returns speak to the volatility of the transfer market itself, where the overlooked often excel while the sure things struggle. Few expected the much-traveled Angeliño to be more than a warm body on the bench. Still, the 27-year-old Spanish full-back has brought much-needed stability to the position, earning a permanent deal with the capital club in the process. Meanwhile, Baldanzi and Huijsen, two transfers that were greeted with almost universal applause, haven’t quite paid dividends for the Giallorossi—Baldanzi due to playing time while Roma couldn’t hash out a permanent transfer for Huijsen, who is now thriving with Bournemouth in the Premiership.

Roma may not be chasing a spot in the Champions League this season, but with only six points separating the Giallorossi from the drop zone, this winter’s transfer market is as important as ever. To capture the mood in the room, the CdT crew assembled to discuss Roma’s winter transfer strategy, touching on everything from Lorenzo Pellegrini’s future to the possible addition of Federico Chiesa and much more!

Before discussing what Roma needs, let’s focus on what they don’t need. Give us two or three names that need new homes in 2025. Who should Roma sell, and who might be interested in our spare parts?

ssciavillo: While it’s more likely that Lorenzo Pellegrini could be on his way out, I’m not sure if dumping the club captain mid-season sends the right message. To start, I’d say Roma should try to get whatever they can for Nicola Zalewski. Zalewski is out of contract at the end of the season, and any proceeds from a sale would be a profit since he’s an academy product. Next, I’d look at the other flank and say that with Alexis Saelemaekers looking better and better, Zeki Çelik is looking more and more expendable if the club believes that Saelemaekers on the right makes the most sense with Saud as his understudy. Lastly, I’d look for a loan move for guys like Samuel Dahl and Buba Sanagre–maybe they can find consistent playing time with one of the lower Serie A sides to speed up their development.

Bren: I’m not sure they need to get rid of Pellegrini in the strictest sense. He’s an ideal backup/rotational piece for an ambitious club, but he’s not likely to accept such a role, so he may leave Roma by default. And really, we can say the same thing about several other players on the squad, but Roma isn’t in the position to keep high-salaried players in part-time roles.

In that sense, any of Pellegrini, Cristante, Celik, or Mancini can go, but then you’d have to find a buyer for those high salaries and decreasing production–and we can’t forget that Saelemaekers is returning to Milan in May, so Celik may not actually be expendable.

But if the club is truly committed to starting anew, those four players should be first on the chopping block. That’s not an indictment of their talent, but they’ve taken Roma as far as they can. A fresh start is best for all parties.

JonAS: Definitely Zalewski since he’ll be a free agent otherwise in June. I think Serie A clubs like Torino, Parma, or Udinese would be tempted to make a move. I’d keep Celik until at least summer if no new CB arrives, as Zeki can back up both RCB and RB positions albeit in a very mediocre way.

Cristante is my second name since I never really missed him all these weeks during his injury. Koné is a beast, Paredes is back to his old self, Pisili is coming along nicely, and we still have a costly Le Fee sitting/rotting on the bench. Our results have steadily improved in the last few weeks, so Bryan is too expensive to be the fourth or fifth choice. But who in God’s name is gonna take Cristante off our hands?

To finish, Sangaré and maybe Dahl should be loaned out for six months for the sake of morale and to protect their investments.

Jimmy: Zeki Celik, Nicola Zalewski, and Bryan Cristante are my top three players on the chopping block at the moment. Celik has never been more than a semi-serviceable backup at best, and with Roma’s lack of depth at fullback, that’s simply insufficient. Meanwhile, Zalewski used to have quite a bit of promise, but the ship has clearly sailed on him becoming that player in Rome—I think the environment is just too much for him, and there’s too much history of poor performance and lack of fan appreciation on the books. With Cristante, it seems as if he’s finally reached the end of his rope in Rome after moving to the Olimpico in 2018. Six years is a long time for any player at any club (minus the rare club legend here and there), but the adaptability and defensive integrity that made Cristante a manager favorite over the years seems to have disappeared—again, at least in Rome.

The other players that the gang has listed here are all good shouts to leave as well. I’m pretty much done with Lorenzo Pellegrini in a Roma kit, which feels sad to say but is definitely true. But compared to Celik, Zalewski, or Cristante, I would say letting go of Pellegrini is a lower priority, though conversely, there’s probably a better market for his services.

Let’s talk about Paulo Dybala for a moment. Until recently, his production hasn’t been up to his usual high standards this season. Should the club sell, keep, or extend him a new deal?

ssciavillo: I think even with Dybala having a down season, he’s a player you must keep around as long as he wants to stay. He’s the kind of player that guys want to play with, especially in attack. And guys like that don’t walk through Trigoria’s doors every day, especially given that a return to Europe likely hinges on winning the Europa League, which is no small task the way this season has gone.

Bren: Man, this is a tough one to answer! You’re spot on, Steven. Roma isn’t in a position to be shedding talents like Dybala, but his age and injury history cannot be ignored. Moreover, giving minutes to Dybala comes at a cost, namely the developments of Tommaso Baldanzo and Matíás Soulé. They may not have the same skill set or style of play, but as we’ve seen this season, it’s nearly impossible to spread minutes between those three evenly.

Photo by Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images

I’d say keep him for now, let that 2026 extension kick in, and see how it goes next year. I wouldn’t blindly commit to him through 2027 or 2028 because the unintended consequences could hurt the club in the long run, and you never know how his legs will hold up. But as the most talented Roma player since Totti, he deserves a long leash.

JonAS: Well, it seems we’re at a crossroads regarding Dybala. He’s just turned 31, so either we part ways now, take what we can get, save all the extra costs + hope Soulé and Baldanzi come good, or stick with him. Still, we’ll have to manage his minutes very well (while being on one of the highest wages) and keep an unhappy Soulé and Baldanzi as alternatives on the bench. The question remains: can a 32 or 33-year-old Paula still reach double figures in Serie A?

Age and finances are the two big factors here. Dybala is Roma’s favorite player by far, so it’s a tough decision for Ghisolfi and co. However, Roma is now run by businessmen, so there’s no room for romanticism like the Sensi era. If it hurts the club’s finances in the long run, then goodbye, Paulo.

Jimmy: If both parties can make it work, I would love for Roma and Dybala to come to a deal where he commits to staying longer in Rome for a reduced salary and an understanding that he will still be a vital part of the project—just a vital part of the project that is used thoughtfully so his impact is felt as much as possible. As JonAS said, age and finances are the two big factors here. Simultaneously, he’s the biggest pull Roma has had since Francesco Totti, and giving him a positive end to his time in Rome instead of a push out the door to Saudi Arabia would be for the best.

It sure feels like Bryan Cristante’s days with Roma are numbered. What does the future hold for him? What type of club can get the best out of him?

ssciavillo: It does feel like Cristante has run his course at Roma. Although he has been much maligned, he has always put himself at the disposal of every manager for the good of the team and has been a good soldier. He may not be a world-beater, but he’s a solid guy and a perfect rotation guy for a team competing in Europe. A rumor popped up on Saturday of a possible swap with Milan for Saelemaekers permanent rights. That feels like the kind of club that will come calling. I don’t think Roma will be short on takers at the right price in all honesty.

Bren: Agreed, he’s a perfectly adequate, middle-of-the-road player, but he’s not dynamic enough to really move the needle and lift a team out of its current circumstances. I don’t see any way in which he will return next season. The writing is on the wall; Roma is playing better without him in the starting lineup.

The challenge will simply be finding a taker for his contract, which pays him €5.2M through 2027–that’s a tough nut to crack. As to where I see him playing… perhaps the time is right to move to MLS or the Middle East, but he can certainly hack it for a midtable team. He feels like a Genoa/Bologna/Verona kind of guy.

JonAS: Does Cristante feel the same? I don’t see him going to smaller clubs in Italy; he’s used to this life/luxury for so long now that he won’t accept anything less, especially financially. I doubt Fiorentina or Atalanta will take him with those wages. So evidently, I’m looking at the Middle East or MLS to lure Bryan away, as Bren pointed out, even though he’s 3 to 4 years too young to move to the Saudi League.

Photo by Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images

Who knows, maybe there’s a Premier League club that takes a chance on Bryan? Look at how happy Kluivert and Huijsen are at Bournemouth. I can see him playing in England for a couple of years before accepting a more ‘exotic’ deal.

Jimmy: I think there’s a very good chance that Bryan could find success at another club—I think it’s more that his time in Rome is drawing to a close. He’s still only 29, and I think he could be a great out-and-out starter for a mid-table to European-qualifying Premier League side. People forget that Serie A is a challenging league tactically and that, by contrast, coming to the Prem with a strong defensive mindset can be a cheat code. I wouldn’t be shocked if Cristante ended up in MLS like Bren said, but I also won’t be shocked if he has another several years as a top-flight midfielder left in him.

How will Roma’s uncertain post-Ranieri future impact their decision-making during this transfer window?

ssciavillo: The Friedkins don’t seem concerned about spending money now that they’ve improved Roma’s books from what the reports indicate. However, I think it would be wise not to commit to any players long-term in January unless they have a handshake agreement with the next manager. January usually brings loans anyway, so I’m not expecting much regarding incoming players. I’d keep an eye on loan swaps, etc, with Everton, given the Friekdin’s ownership there.

Bren: Well, Ranieri said he would be involved in selecting his replacement, so if he has an inkling of who that might be, they can tailor their transfer market approach accordingly. But it would seem a tad short-sighted to commit to a manager now when you don’t really know who else will be available come June. After all, new managerial options may become available in the spring, which would necessarily change the club’s transfer priorities.

In sum, Ranieri and Ghisolif would be best served by avoiding any long-term purchases this spring and focusing on addressing immediate needs, such as proper depth at fullback and an actual second striker.

Jonas: Yeah, we don’t even know our manager for 2025-2026, which type of formation he will play in, etc. Like you guys, I expect some small (loan) deals here and there. We should try to sell unwanted/unhappy players like Eldor or Zalewski and, if necessary, replace them with cheap options or Serie A veterans. The league is done now; the focus should be on Coppa and EL. Save your precious money for next Summer and the start of project no. 2433.

Jimmy: Agreed that the focus for January needs to be the Coppa and Europa League. Money makes the world go around, and European qualification is how you get that money. I think it’s highly likely that Roma will have a handshake agreement for a new manager by the end of the January transfer market, even if the newspapers don’t catch wind of it. If The Friedkins can make a top-tier manager want to come to Rome in June, and they know he’s coming, I wouldn’t be shocked to see some serious investment roll through.

Roma is climbing back up the table bit by bit, so should they focus on more immediate concerns this window or continue to focus on high-upside, longer-term plays?

ssciavillo: I think given the unlikelihood of Roma qualifying for Europe via the league route, higher, upside long-term players would be the wise route. If Roma can find a Tommaso Baldanzi like they did last January, then make the move. But don’t bring in an overpriced veteran unless it’s a guy who adds enough quality to win the Europa League and get us back in the Champions League.

Bren: Considering that we don’t know who will manage the team after this season, and the club’s position on the table is still somewhat tenuous, I think the wisest course of action is to focus on immediate help. This isn’t a time when Roma should be handing out three or five-year deals, not when they’re enveloped by so much uncertainty.

Baldanzi and Soulé—even though they didn’t have immediate paths to playing time when they were signed—felt like great deals because of their potential. But, as we’re seeing, that potential isn’t being developed partly because of the managerial upheaval in 2024. Roma should avoid that pitfall this time and focus strictly on players who can help them stay in the 8-12 range on the table and then reassess in the summer.

JonAS: There are quite some concerns but c’mon, Roma is not gonna be relegated this season or anytime soon. I’d want them to save as much money as possible and go all out this Summer. You can’t fix this current Roma team in one window anyway.

Right now, it’s impossible to think long-term. Who knows if our new managerwill even like Soulé, Baldanzi, Dovbyk or Saud? He’ll also want to have a say; otherwise, we risk wasting this season and 2025-2026 before it even starts.

Jimmy: I think that Roma has a good number of long-term high-upside plays already in the squad, and maybe we should look to get those players runtime before we bring in any other exciting prospects. Tommaso Baldanzi, Niccolo Pisilli, Matias Soulé. Those three need to get integrated into this side in a serious way quickly. While I’m not necessarily advocating for major signings to fill gaps in the side in January (and that hardly happens anyway), I’d much rather we get a serviceable if not 5-star right-back and backup striker figured out than go hunting after the next wonderkid from South America or a Primavera side. We have those prospects. It’s time to play them.

Regardless of what you just said, which position(s) should the club prioritize in January?

Bren: Depth at right-back and striker. Celik is fine, but if a marginal upgrade is available at a reasonable cost, they have to pull the trigger. And while Artem Dovbyk hasn’t exactly taken the league by storm, Roma remains committed to him, so finding a capable backup should be a top priority for the club this winter–Shomurodov ain’t it.

ssciavillo: I agree that an upgrade at reserve striker would be nice. It’s amazing that Shomurodov has lasted this long. I’d also say another center back. It seems like Mario Hermoso’s future is up in the air. Plus, with playing a three-man backline, a fifth center-back would probably be a nice luxury to have. We saw in the Coppa with Mancini suspended and Hummels out that Çelik had to slide into the back three.

JonAS: I reckon we only need a new arrival at CB to keep the 3-4-2-1 and Hummels alive. We can reinforce all the other positions, like RB or striker IF someone leaves. Otherwise, we’re just throwing more bodies on a pile, hoping one of them will work out while increasing our total wage bill even more.

Like I said earlier, don’t expect miracles in January. The season’s over, so we might as well roll with it for another four to five months.

Jimmy: To echo Bren, Roma needs a right-back and a backup striker. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel here, and of course, if the Mario Hermoso exit happens, I expect Florent Ghisolfi will sign a center-back or two in the mercato. But we need a right-back. It’s gotten embarrassing how thin we are in that pretty crucial position.

Okay, let’s get specific. Give us one or two realistic signings and one off-the-wall dream winter transfer.

Bren: Well, if we knew what was going on with Federico Chiesa and Liverpool, that’d be my off-the-wall choice, even if he doesn’t strictly meet an area of need. A luxury for sure, but I’d never say no to a pacy, aggressive winger. If we want a cheaper attacking addition, maybe Udinese’s Florian Thauvin—five goals and an expiring contract in June. Aside from that, I like the idea of Beto as another option in attack, but would he return to Italy to play second fiddle to Dovbyk?

ssciavillo: Chiesa has been an absolute bust at Liverpool. Is Roma really the place to revive his career in our current state? I’m not so sure. I’ll go with a different Udinese striker to build depth and set Roma up for the future: Lorenzo Lucca. The 24-year-old recently got his first Italy cap and has seven goals in Serie A this season. Imagine his 6’7” (2m) frame on the end of some Angeliño and Dybala crosses. I’m not sure Udinese would move him, but he seems like a Baldanzi-type signing–a guy who can make an impact now and be a building block for the next few seasons.

JonAS: After Svilar and Saelemakers, it’s time to complete our Belgian bingo: De Winter for CB. I’d also like a Salah/Gervinho type up front. You know, someone speedy because Dybala, Dovbyk, or a 32-year-old SES are all not exactly fast-paced. Perhaps Gnonto from Leeds or Ndoye from Bologna? Or ask Milan for six months of Okafor?

And then secure Prati from Cagliari for next season as Paredes’ heir!

Jimmy: On Chiesa: I don’t need another exciting star winger who has injury issues. We’ve got one of those and I love him. I do love the idea of De Winter as Roma’s CB upgrade if Hermoso leaves; on the backup striker front, I think Beto seems like it’s going to happen whether we like it or not. Pie in the sky? Let’s be crazy and say Michael Kayode from Fiorentina. I know I said I don’t want any long-term, high-upside projects this January, but I think Kayode could be good enough to become Roma’s right-back of the future, today.

Non-transfer prediction time: Where will Roma finish the season on the table?

Bren: 10th place certainly feels attainable. I don’t think they should be concerned with chasing any European competition next season. Still, if the past 10 days or so are any indication, Claudio has restored Roma’s confidence, but they dug themselves a deep hole in the fall, so I can’t imagine them finishing any higher than 8th.

ssciavillo: Given the gap that other sides have built up between themselves and Roma, I’d say 8th is probably Roma’s ceiling at this point. And that might not be a bad thing. If Roma finishes 7th, then it’s another season of Conference League. At this point, a full reset of no European football could serve them better than playing in a third-tier competition. It was fun to watch Roma lift that trophy, but it’s not where we want to be year after year.

Just look at Juve last year and Napoli this year. Playing once a week really could be a blessing in disguise. Unless, of course, Roma can get hot and win the Europa League and then return to the Champions League via that route, then scrap the no-Europe plan. With European football out of play in the league, Ranieri could truly focus on one front, unlike Fonseca, Mourinho, and De Rossi during their semifinal or better runs the last four seasons.

JonAS: Agreed, 8th place looks like the highest possible finish right now, but what’s the difference between places 8-14 in the end? Nothing, zilch. So who cares what happens in Serie A, just don’t get relegated, win a derby and maybe another 5-0 or 6-0 win would be nice. But save the best for Europe and Coppa and see how far we can go.

Jimmy Miotto: I’m voting eighth and a Coppa Italia victory. It’d be so perfectly Roma to finally get that silver star in our worst league year in decades. Plus, a Coppa win would mean Roma can’t even get that no-Europe boost next season, so, yeah, with our luck, we’re getting a pretty terrible league finish but a Coppa victory to keep us in Europa League purgatory.

You’ve heard our say, and now it’s your turn. How should Roma approach the winter transfer window? Who would you sell? Who would you keep?