Agreement in place with the Giallorossi, but the forward stalls. Conte would welcome him back — sales needed first
Time is running out, and this time for real. AS Roma have given Giacomo Raspadori one last day to decide his future, after weeks of talks, guarantees and patience. The deal with Atlético Madrid is done, the personal terms are agreed, but the player is still hesitating — and the plot has taken another unexpected turn: Napoli are back in the picture.
On Sunday, Raspadori trained regularly in Madrid and was even tested by Diego Simeone in the probable starting XI ahead of the Copa del Rey tie in La Coruña against Deportivo. A clear signal that Atlético, despite negotiations, are still considering him part of the squad. Roma, however, want clarity before departure to Galicia. Any further delay and the club are ready to walk away.
Roma’s offer: everything on the table
From Roma’s perspective, little more could have been done. Sporting director Frederic Massara has secured a deal with Atlético based on a €2 million loan fee and a €18.5 million option to buy, with a crucial assurance to the player: the option would be exercised in June.
That promise is central. Roma see Raspadori as a cornerstone of the new attacking cycle, especially with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Dovbyk and Baldanzi. Financially, the club have gone close to their limit too, offering the forward a salary close to €4 million per season. The message is clear: continuity, centrality, trust.
Still, doubts remain. Despite the presence in Madrid of his agents — Manuel Montipò first, with Tullio Tinti expected shortly — Raspadori has yet to say yes.
Napoli’s temptation and Conte’s call
Behind the hesitation lies Napoli. The club where Raspadori won two Scudetti in three seasons. The club that sold him just five months ago for €22 million plus bonuses, largely at the player’s request, in search of more playing time.
Now, with Antonio Conte rebuilding his attack, Napoli have reopened the door. Conte is looking for both a striker and a playmaker — and Raspadori fits both roles. Internally, the message has reached Madrid: if he leaves Atlético, Napoli would take him back.
But there’s a major obstacle.
The problem: Napoli must sell first
Napoli’s market is effectively frozen due to zero-balance constraints linked to the “extended labour cost” regulations. To bring Raspadori in, Aurelio De Laurentiis must sell first — and sell big.
Two names are on the table:
- Lorenzo Lucca, monitored by Benfica and Porto and potentially usable in a swap deal
- Noa Lang, attracting interest from Turkey and pushing for more minutes to stay in World Cup contention
Only after one of those exits could Napoli move decisively.
And that’s exactly why Raspadori is waiting.
Roma’s patience wearing thin
From Trigoria, the irritation is growing. Roma increasingly feel like a second — if not third — choice, behind Atlético and Napoli. The player’s first preference remains staying in Madrid; Napoli are the emotional fallback; Roma, for now, the club offering certainty.
But certainty has a deadline.
By the end of today, Roma expect an answer. Otherwise, Massara is ready to redirect funds and focus elsewhere. In a January market defined by speed and conviction, indecision can be fatal — even for a player as versatile and valuable as Giacomo Raspadori.
