Roma have released a formal statement denying they received a takeover proposal from Raffaello Follieri and insisting they have ‘no intention’ of selling the Serie A club.
The Corriere dello Sport had reported today that Follieri sent an official bid to buy the side for circa €850m, with negotiations that had been going on for months, since at least December 2022.
However, this afternoon Roma sent out a statement denying the report and accusing Follieri of taking the newspapers for a ride.
“With regards to what appeared in some newspapers, AS Roma clarify that no offer – not even via the NEEP Roma Holding srl company – any offer to buy the Club.
“The Friedkin Group also announces that it has no intention of selling the Club.
“Legal action will be evaluated against those who wish to destabilise the Club and the Group just in order to attain personal visibility.”
Follieri had also hinted at the takeover approach two days ago with a social media post depicting him putting pen to paper on a contract with the caption: ‘We are ready.’
He spoke to news agency Ansa today and insisted: “I have made a proposal to the Friedkin Group.”
The Friedkin Group bought Roma from Jim Pallotta in August 2020 for €591m and since then have invested a further €225m, taking them off the stock exchange.
The supposed takeover bid from Follieri would not have included the project to build a new stadium away from the Stadio Olimpico.