AS Roma accused of keeping Abraham in ‘prison’ as Juventus expresses interest in Karim Adeyemi
AC Milan are extremely tempted by the idea of adding Tammy Abraham to their attacking line, and Alfredo Pedulla has suggested that the Roma striker is a ‘prisoner’ at his current club.
It is a Mercato of opportunities, and Milan are looking to act on them as they search for the third element of their attacking trident, and the name of the Englishman is on the rise for the club and the player.
According to reports from this week, the Roma striker has been presented with offers, but only the one from the Rossoneri is being considered by the former Chelsea striker – the draw of the club is massive, as is the chance to play with several of his former teammates.
It remains to be seen how he ranks among the management, with the road to Niclas Fullkrug heating up, but with Paulo Fonseca specifically requesting him, it suggests if there is a choice, it could be the Serie A striker.
When speaking on his YouTube channel, Pedulla took stock of his situation, and made a bold claim that his current club was keeping him as a ‘prisoner’, and his words have been relayed by Radio Rossonera.
“Let’s start with Roma. Roma has many prisoners. One of them is certainly Tammy Abraham. I try to explain: he, since he realised that Milan could be a possibility (because Fonseca likes him), is pushing to go. But it has to be a swap that is not a bath for Roma. With all due respect, I don’t mind Jovic, but a Jovic-Abraham swap would be a bath for Roma. A Saelemaekers swap I don’t know, we have to agree here.
“If Roma has decided to make money with his transfer, how much do you value him after a season like that? Especially looking at the injury and the subsequent drop in minutes. Do you value him at 30? I find it hard to believe that anyone can give that much,” he said.
“Only someone from the Premier League can give 30 million because they remember the Abraham that was (who I don’t dislike as a footballer, even after the last period). But if you make a swap and then you have to put up the money for the outside player, for the striker… Then everything becomes complicated.
“Here the logic would be, and here I will also weigh the scope of the new sporting director Ghisolfi, to be good at disposals, to make cash rather than making trades. Even if the player feels like a ‘prisoner’ because he has this opportunity to go to Milan and he would like to take it.”
Meanwhile, Juventus hopes to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi once Matias Soule completes his move to newly promoted Premier League side Leicester City, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Though Thiago Motta has already acquired some important reinforcements this summer, including goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and midfielders Douglas Luiz and Khephren Thuram, the new coach would also like to breathe some fresh air into the Bianconeri attacking department.
The former Bologna tactician is predicted to utilise either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 system once the 2024-25 Serie A season kicks off.
Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz are still expected to be important first-team starters for the most part, but there could be a spot available on one of the flanks if Soule leaves, and particularly if Federico Chiesa heads for the exit door this summer.
For that reason, Juventus are tracking several wingers and attackers as they would ideally bring in like-for-like replacements for both Soule and Chiesa if they both leave during this transfer window.
However, as an exit deal for Soule is more imminent, Dortmund’s Adeyemi is currently considered as most his likely replacement.
Adeyemi is expected to cost at least in the region of €30m-€40m, most of which could be covered by the €30m fee Juventus are hoping to fetch for Soule.
La Gazzetta dello Sport has also mentioned some alternatives for Adeyemi, including Porto’s Francisco Conceicao, while Juventus also continues to explore a possible loan deal for Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho.
