José Mourinho predicted a bright future for Roma talents Benjamin Tahirovic and Cristian Volpato in 2022-23 and the two youngsters are now set to leave the Stadio Olimpico.
The Giallorssi have decided to sacrifice some of their young players to boost the budget ahead of the summer transfer window, with Mourinho demanding more investments and a deeper squad.
Tahirovic, 20, is expected to join Ajax for €8.5m, while Volpato (19) is set to move to Sassuolo alongside Filippo Missori (19).
They all made their senior debut under Mourinho this season and the Special One had praised them all during the season, especially Tahirovic and Volpato.
The latter scored one goal and delivered one assist in a 3-1 win over Hellas Verona in October and was warmly hugged by the Special One after the final whistle.
“There is a process for players. Somebody trains with the Primavera and sometimes comes to eat with the first team. Others join us permanently. It happened with Bove last season and now with Volpato,” Mourinho said at a press conference a few days later.
“He [Volpato] already has the potential for the first team. He is young and has a lot to learn every day, but he is already at the level required for the first team. I didn’t take any risk [by introducing him against Verona]. I knew he had the potential to change the game.”
The 19-year-old, born in Camperdown, Australia, made 11 appearances with the first team this season, scoring one goal.
Tahirovic made 13 appearances with the Giallorossi’s senior team this term, making his Serie A debut coming off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Torino in November.
“Tahirovic will be a great player, a great player,” Mou said after the match.
“Until I am here, I will never stop giving these opportunities because it’s something Roma, as a club, need. He is one more player for me. The hope is that with time can catch the starters. He has quality.”
The first appearance as a starter for the 20-year-old came immediately after the break in a 1-0 win against Bologna.