Roma close door for Sancho transfer, negotiation for Dovbyk-Gimenez swap ‘not started’ | OneFootball

Frederic Massara closes the door to Jadon Sancho’s possible transfer to Roma and insists negotiations with Milan over a swap deal involving Santiago Gimenez and Artem Dovbyk haven’t started.’

Massara spoke to DAZN ahead of Roma’s away game at Pisa on Saturday.

The first question concerned the new project that began this summer under the guidance of coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

“The first game gave important replies,” said Massara.

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 04:Frederic Massara of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC MIlan at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 04, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“We are truly happy. We know it will be a long path because there are young players and a coach who is able to give a clear identity. We know it takes time, but we have confidence.”

Roma secured a 1-0 win over Bologna last week in their season debut.

Inevitably, there were two more questions about the transfer market, specifically about Sancho and a potential swap deal with Milan involving Gimenez and Dovbyk.

Massara closes the door to Sancho transfer

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: Manchester United player Jadon Sancho in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on August 26, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“I already discussed this matter [Sancho] last week,” said Massara.

“There’s a motivation issue, which, for us, must be extraordinary to come and play for Roma. I think there’s nothing more to add on this matter.”

Massara had already closed the door to Sancho’s transfer last week, although Gasperini noted that the Englishman had “never said no” to Roma.

Roma: no negotiations with Milan for now

UDINE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Artem Dovbyk of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on January 26, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Lastly, Massara claimed that the Giallorossi had not begun negotiations with Milan for a Dovbyk-Gimenez swap deal.

“I don’t want to contradict Igli, but this negotiation hasn’t started at all,” the Roma director concluded.

“It’s true that there are always surprises in the last 48 hours. Milan and Roma completed a swap deal between Abraham and Saelemaekers last year. Who knows, perhaps it will happen again this year, but as of now, we have our central striker, Dovbyk, and they have Gimenez. Two great strikers who have always scored goals. Dovbyk scored many in his first Serie A season last year.”