Roma must sign a new centre forward in the 2024 summer transfer window, and Wayne Girard assesses the five strikers linked with a move to the capital.
Almost a decade has passed since Roma signed their last great striker, Edin Dzeko. He would go on to break nine records for the Giallorossi, becoming the club’s all-time foreign goal scorer (168), top scorer of the 2010s, and scorer of the most goals in a single season with 39. The Bosnian was an essential part of Roma’s fabric, and his success helped his team fight for Champions League places and punch above their weight each match he wore red and yellow.
When he unceremoniously departed for Inter, fans were left bemused, but Tammy Abraham had a strong inaugural year in the capital and became an instant fan favourite. That was short-lasting, though, and now the English striker is destined to return home and play for a mid-to-upper-table side in the Premier League or even take a train ride north to Milan. To add to the issue, Romelu Lukaku’s loan was terminated after a successful spell that saw him strike the back of the net 21 times.
Roma are left with an offensive conundrum as the 2024-25 season kicks off in little more than a month’s time. Now with Daniele De Rossi leading the ship, several strikers have been linked with filling that goal void. New sporting director Florent Ghisolfi brings his knowledge from Ligue 1 as well as a broad eye in Europe, as a few of the following names are less than familiar.
Will the best solution be a lesser-known or perhaps a true and tried profile? Here are the names that have been mentioned to become Roma’s next No.9:
Jonathan David
The most expensive name on the list by far. The Canadian striker is just 24-years-old and has been the inspirational figurehead at Lille, having scored 58 times in the league over the last three seasons. With 84 goals since joining the French side from KAA Gent, he’s lived up to his €30m transfer fee – but since he’s in the last year of his contract, Lille will likely miss out on making much, if any return at all. This situation gives Roma strong bargaining power, but David won’t be short of suitors.
He’s the ideal profile for De Rossi, a top-tier striker who likes to receive the ball by dropping somewhere above the centre-backs but below the defensive midfield. David loves to attack the box, and would be helped by fast and creative wingers, which Roma are trying to seek out this transfer window. He’s also profound in making chances for his teammates with flick-ons and short passes within the box. Yet, these are the reasons why the Giallorossi might not be the player’s first choice if the interest from Chelsea is real, or if he follows Victor Osimhen’s footsteps once again as the Nigerian could leave Napoli.
Hugo Ekitiké
Paris Saint-Germain made a large-scale investment for Ekitiké in the summer of 2022, but he failed to get going at a young age, and was subsequently loaned out twice before his option was activated by Eintracht Frankfurt. He had an okay season in the Bundesliga, with four goals and two assists in 14 appearances.
Ekitiké has a decent size at 1.89 metres and is still just 22 years old. Frankfurt invested in him as they saw the potential, but mere signs rather than numbers would be a worrying cause for Roma fans. Seems too much of a gamble, Roma will need more certainty.
Youssef En-Nesyri
Gaining notoriety after his historic leap over Cristiano Ronaldo in the last World Cup, En-Nesyri is a centre-forward who thrives upon being inside the box. He is more of a striker who waits for the ball rather than incorporating himself into the play. He has one of the lowest percentages of touches per 90 minutes, but the towering forward still managed 16 goals in La Liga for Sevilla.
On top of the constant aerial threat, En-Nesyri has a capable left foot and has been slotted out left sporadically throughout his career. Yet, the Moroccan fails to have that wow factor, a special something that makes him a desirable name. A decent goal scorer in a league that now tends to play with deeper and tidier defences, readying to enter his peak. So why doesn’t the deal feel more exciting?
Alexander Sørloth
Another striker who rose off of a marquee performance, Sørloth scored four goals in one single match against Real Madrid at the end of May. The physically imposing Norwegian measures in at 1.95 metres and is absolutely ready for a big club. The 28-year-old makes it look simple when facing with his back to the goal and holding off defenders and he is one of the top finishers in this article.
He has the pace to surge down the pitch from wherever he receives the ball and has the confidence to take the opposition on the dribble to make a shooting chance or to pass it off to a teammate just as well. He’s coming off the best season of his career with 23 league goals (without penalty kicks), as well as six assists and a 50% scoring record in the Europa League. Not instantly recognisable, but the looming Sørloth could be a solution for Roma over the next half-decade.
Roma pushing for agreement with Sorloth but face difficulty with Villarreal
Álvaro Morata
Another player coming off his best season to date, Morata is a bit unlike the others. The 31-year-old has been a key factor in captaining Spain towards the final. And what a career it has been for the Spaniard, who has played for both Madrid clubs as well as Chelsea and Juventus.
It may come as a surprise that 2023-24 was the only season where he exceeded 20 goals between all competitions, which is a bit ironic for a centre-forward who’s been a regular for some of the best clubs in the world. He has a €13m clause and Roma are one of the clubs linked with securing his services even if the latest reports in the Peninsula claim that Milan are leading the race.
The other side of Morata is that he’s a workhorse, and it’s no surprise that he’s the striker who has committed the most fouls at Euro 2024, leading the line for a squad that loves to play high up the pitch. A player as so, the first line of defence, with the wisdom of an accomplished player and a captain who has played for the most illustrious clubs around Europe, would be a welcomed asset in Rome. If Ghisolfi and De Rossi really do want him, they’ll have to make him feel loved and that even though he’s beyond that 30-year mark, he’s still at the centre of the project. Love him, and Morata will be a wonderful No.9 for Roma.
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David or Pinamonti
I’m shocked that we haven’t looked to Brazil. either way, of all these options the only one who I see having an impact is David. It’s unfortunate Eldor is gone because I think he was never really given a serious look. At this stage, Roma should focus on shoring up the defence as priority, and give more youths a chance and set out a two to three year CL plan based on youth that with give us a multi CL qualification run from 2026 to 2032 because of well built up chemistry
Ligue 1 ; Or as everybody else in Europe calls it – The farmers league.