Roma director Walter Sabatini welcomes Erik Lamela, stalls Maarten Stekelenberg and insists “we don't want to sell Mirko Vucinic.”
Roma director Walter Sabatini welcomes Erik Lamela, stalls Maarten Stekelenberg and insists “we don't want to sell Mirko Vucinic.”
The Giallorossi agreed a deal, which including taxes, fees and performance-related bonuses comes up to €20m, with River Plate on Saturday.
“I'd say the negotiations for Lamela are closed. There are some marginal details, but the deal is in place,” Sabatini told Sky Sport Italia.
“It is an important sum, but I think he's worth the money, because Lamela is a young player who is already at a high level and has a bright future ahead of him.”
Roma are busy on the transfer market under Luis Enrique and were thought to be very close to Ajax goalkeeper Stekelenberg.
“We talked it over with the Coach and I'm not yet sure how things will go. It's a technical evaluation and not down to the value of the player. We'll sign another couple of young players, without doubt a midfielder and a defender. We already have a very strong squad.”
Vucinic was expected to leave the Olimpico after complaining of his poor relationship with the Giallorossi fans, as he has been in talks with Juventus, Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham.
“The negotiations with Juventus do not exist, so it's impossible to tell you any more about that,” continued Sabatini.
“We don't want to sell Vucinic. Of course, we'll have to see what he wants to do.”