Roma target bold rebuild with moves For Premier League Duo | OneFootball

Roma’s Bold Move for Bailey and Sancho Signals New Ambition

Revolution is in the air, as Roma prepare to reshape their attacking options in what promises to be one of the defining transfer windows of their modern history. Credit to Gazzetta for reporting that the Friedkin ownership is intent on backing Gian Piero Gasperini with decisive reinforcements, targeting both Leon Bailey and Jadon Sancho as marquee arrivals.

Leon Bailey’s Italian Adventure

Roma’s first major strike comes in the form of Leon Bailey. The Jamaican forward, born in 1997, is set to join on a loan deal worth just over €2 million, with a €23 million option to buy. “I think he’ll leave,” admitted Unai Emery, after leaving Bailey out of Aston Villa’s matchday squad against Newcastle. His move appears inevitable.

Bailey will be the first Jamaican in Roma’s history, a milestone moment for both player and club. His arrival in Rome is scheduled for Monday, allowing enough time to finalise details with his agents. The winger’s backstory adds romance to the deal. Born in Kingston, a city defined by reggae and track and field greatness, Bailey’s footballing journey saw him rise in Europe from the age of 13.

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He has already proven himself across two of Europe’s toughest leagues. With Bayer Leverkusen he struck 39 goals in 156 games, before moving to Aston Villa where his 2023-24 campaign delivered 14 goals and 14 assists. Yet competition for places pushed him out of Emery’s plans. Now, as Gazzetta note, comes “the desire to relaunch with Gasp”.

Jadon Sancho Ready for Rebirth

Alongside Bailey, Roma’s other audacious move is for Sancho. Manchester United have already accepted Roma’s €23 million offer, while the winger himself is understood to have been convinced after a chat with Gasperini.

Sancho has agreed to reduce his salary, structuring it across a five-year deal worth €4.5 million plus bonuses. “He wants a fresh start, and he sees Roma as the place to achieve it,” a club source suggested. Negotiations now hinge on agent commissions, but optimism remains high.

Sancho, like Bailey, has endured frustrations in England, but the chance to play a central role in Rome could revive his reputation as one of Europe’s most gifted forwards.

Pellegrini’s Future and Squad Reshaping

To make room for these arrivals, Roma must part with familiar faces. Lorenzo Pellegrini, once the symbol of loyalty, appears destined to leave. His high salary and expiring deal have led to the club seeking solutions, with Besiktas and West Ham both previously rebuffed. Intermediaries are now exploring alternatives.

Elsewhere, Tommaso Baldanzi could move to Udinese, while Marash Kumbulla has completed a loan switch to Mallorca, which includes an €8 million option to buy. Youngster Salah-Eddine has also been left out of Roma’s latest squad and looks set for a return to the Netherlands.

Gasperini’s Growing Influence

Gasperini’s fingerprints are clear on this rebuild. His request for two offensive reinforcements has been answered with ambition, and the arrivals of Bailey and Sancho would reshape Roma’s forward line entirely. It is not just about adding numbers, but about injecting pace, creativity, and flair that matches the tactical identity of the coach.

The message from Roma is bold: they are tired of looking up at rivals in Serie A and Europe, and they are willing to gamble on players with a point to prove. Bailey and Sancho represent exactly that profile.

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Roma fans will be excited by these developments, and rightly so. For years the Giallorossi have flirted with ambition but often lacked the conviction to land players capable of changing games on the biggest stage. That now appears to be changing.

Bailey’s arrival as the first Jamaican in Roma history will bring global attention, particularly from fans in the Caribbean who will see one of their brightest exports wearing the Giallorossi shirt. Supporters will hope that his Bundesliga pedigree and impressive statistics at Aston Villa can translate into Serie A consistency. Many will argue that if Gasperini can unlock the attacking dynamism Bailey once displayed in Leverkusen, Roma could possess one of the most unpredictable wingers in Italy.

Sancho’s case is equally intriguing. English fans have grown sceptical about whether he will ever recapture the explosive form that made him a star at Borussia Dortmund. Yet the idea of him in Rome, under a manager who thrives on revitalising talents, sparks genuine curiosity. Roma fans are expectant that Sancho can rediscover his confidence and provide the kind of decisive moments they have lacked in tight encounters.

There is, however, some concern about finances. Selling Pellegrini, a club captain and boyhood Roman, will not be universally welcomed, and some supporters will question whether this is the right sacrifice to fund the rebuild.

Overall, though, the mood around this report is one of anticipation. Gasperini is a manager with a clear vision, and Roma appear ready to match it with decisive actions in the transfer market. If Bailey and Sancho flourish, this summer could be remembered as the true turning point for the club.