Roma's 13th signing of the summer is imminent, and it's a player who couldn't have been much closer to signing for title rivals Juventus who is joining the Giallorossi.
Czech Republic international Patrik Schick looked set to be the Bianconeri's first signing of the summer as earlier as June. He even posed in the club's colours, with Juventus sharing snaps of him having his medical examinations ahead of a reported £25 million move.
Juventus fans were excited about his arrival and hoped he would ease the goalscoring burden on Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain.
Advert
However, on 18 July, both Juventus and Sampdoria have confirmed the deal is off and he will not moving to the Juventus Stadium this summer.
And so instead, Schick will move to the second best team in Italy last term by signing for Roma. Fabrizio Romano, a journalist for Sky Sports Italia and The Guardian among others, tweeted that agreement between all parties has been reached, with the 21-year old penning a five-year contract at the Stadio Olimpico.
His colleague, and transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting that Schick will join Roma on loan initially for a fee of €5 million (£4.5 million) before the move becomes permanent for €38 million (£32 million) next summer.
Sampdoria present Massimo Ferrero has confirmed that Schick is Roma-bound and expressed his delight over the next player's next destination.
Advert
"Now I can say that Schick is Roman and a 'romanista', and for us it's a shock to have given him away," he said to Premium Sport, via Football Italia.
"I'm glad he went to Roma because I was keen to take him there. The player's happy.
"The important thing is that Roma treat him well because he's a jewel."
Schick was courted by Chelsea, Spurs and Inter Milan but boss Eusebio Di Francesco and director Monchi have brought him to Roma.
Image: PA
Advert
He scored 11 goals in all competitions for Sampdoria last term and will provide Roma with a different kind of option to Edin Dzeko up top.
Featured Image Credit: PA
