While waiting for Lukaku, Mourinho gets 'Iranian Messi'

Football executives in Roma are acting in ‘waves’. First, they acted quickly and got Houssem Aouar and Evan Ndicka as free agents on the first day of the transfer window, then they waited for almost two months before they signed PSG duo Renato Sanchez and Leandro Paredes on loan, and finally, they are looking for two more signings before September 1st. One is already in uniform, while the other is in Belgium, deciding what to do. Roma is working on the signing of Romelu Lukaku, and until that operation is completed, the club's management has pleased Jose Mourinho with a different type of striker. Sardar Azmoun officially became a new member of Roma today.

Reunion from Old Trafford could happen in Rome

The ’Iranian Messi’, as his nickname is, came on loan from Leverkusen with the right to purchase next summer for 12,000,000 euros. Azmoun is not a classic "nine", but an attacker profile similar to Paulo Dybala, and could play instead of the Argentinian, who is Roma’s best player but is prone to injuries. On top of that, both Azmoun and Dybala provide Mourinho with one of his favourite tactics – to play without a classic striker in the team. 

Two years ago, when he took over Roma, Mourinho wanted Azmoun, who was then playing for Zenit. But the Russians were adamant, and there was no cooperation. Six months later, Azmoun left for Leverkusen in a transfer worth only 2,500,000 euros because his contract was expiring. However, he did not really shine in Germany. He registered only five goals and assists in over 40 matches for Leverkusen, and they decided to waive him this summer. Mourinho called again, and everything was agreed very quickly this time around.

’I turned down Saudis, I’m a prisoner of the word given to my players’

The arrival of Azmoun has nothing to do with the Lukaku story because Giallorossi is looking for a typical, strong number 9. After failed attempts to get Morata, Scamacca, Arnautovic, Zapata and others, the choice fell on the Belgian. Lukaku returned from his loan spell at Inter to Chelsea and burned all bridges with the Nerazzurri with unseemly behaviour. There are less than seven days until the end of the transfer window, and Lukaku doesn't have much choice. Roma wants him on loan; negotiations are ongoing, but there is no agreement yet. Chelsea is asking for around 10,000,000 euros for the loan, and they also want the Italians to take over the player's entire salary, which amounts to over 8,000,000 euros net per year. Roma will certainly not be able to offer that much, and it is up to Belgium to sacrifice part of his salary if he wants to play in the shirt of the Roman club.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 2

Saturday

19:30: (4.90) Frosinone (3.60) Atalanta (1.75)

19:30: (1.95) Monza (3.60) Empoli (4.30)

21:45: (1.65) Milan (3.80) Torino (6.50)

21:45: (4.30) Verona (3.40) Roma (1.90)

Sunday

19:30: (1.62) Fiorentina (3.80) Lecce (6.75)

19:30: (1.48) Juventus (4.20) Bologna (7.25)

21:45: (1.60) Lazio (3.90) Genoa (6.00)

21:45: (1.35) Napoli (5.60) Sassuolo (9.50)

Monday

19:30: (2.90) Salernitana (3.30) Udinese (2.65)

21:45: (7.25) Cagliari (4.40) Inter (1.45)

***odds are subject to change