Tough Talking Monchi Appears to Give Upper Hand to Liverpool in Salah Chase

Roma need to sell a key piece of their squad before the end of the month in order to ensure Financial Fair Play compliance for the current financial year. That, at least, seems a certainty at this point.

Despite that, with just two weeks to go in June, they’re trying to at least make it appear publicly as though they’re in a strong position—insisting they will not sell any of their players on the cheap.

“We don’t intend to sell,” Roma sporting director Monchi said when asked about the chance of a transfer for either Salah or defender Antonio Rudiger, both of whom have been linked with moves away.

“We want to give the boss a competitive squad. As for the two names mentioned, it is true that some people like them. An English club like Salah, but we will decide on the price to set.

“There are no offers for Rudiger, so there’s no chance he will go. As I have said before, Roma is not a supermarket.”

Both Salah and defender Rudiger have been linked with moves away, but according to director Monchi it is only Salah who has attracted serious interest. Despite the tough talk, it’s an admission that means Salah almost certainly must be sold.

The FFP clock is ticking for Roma, no matter what Monchi claims, and from a Liverpool perspective, his words will make the club feel far more confident today of securing a deal on their terms.

Because now they can feel certain of the fact that Rudiger won’t be sold. And that Salah only has Liverpool as a serious suitor. This, rather than putting Roma in a position of strength, only benefits the Reds.

Meanwhile, reports out of Egypt claim a deal to send Salah to Liverpool is all but done, and recent talk in Italy has concerned a compromise deal of around £35M plus £4M in add-ons.