​Fenerbahce has surged ahead of Roma in the race to sign Mason Greenwood, with Alfredo Pedullà reporting that the Turkish club could secure a slight concession from Greenwood’s initial €50 million asking price, though the deal is still expected to come in well above €40 million. Greenwood has long shown openness to a move, and Fenerbahce has offered him a salary package that dwarfs what the other interested clubs were prepared to pay. Roma, meanwhile, has begun weighing alternative options as their pursuit of the English forward enters a more uncertain phase. Despite some rumours, Dan Ndoye remains unattainable at this stage, and links to Porto’s Pepe have failed to gain traction in a meaningful way. Similar interest has cooled regarding Real Betis’ Antony and Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, while West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville is considered too costly for Roma’s current budget constraints.
Gianluca Di Marzio notes that Roma never lodged a formal bid for Greenwood, likely due to the financial figure involved, which could allow Fenerbahce to finalize the deal in the coming days. Corriere dello Sport adds that Roma also chose not to press forward publicly in order to avoid irritating UEFA after a quiet transfer window, as well as to circumvent potentially unsettling the team dynamic with high wages. There was a concern that a sizeable incoming wage could prompt other players to demand raises, complicating the locker room balance.
As Roma weighs its next steps, Assane Diao has emerged as a potential option. The Como forward could be the odd man out due to financial considerations after a disappointing and injury-plagued season, according to Tuttomercatoweb. His market valuation is reported to be in the €25–30 million range. While Roma’s owners do possess substantial cash reserves, the financial constraints remain real, and the deal for a high-priced striker would present a significant challenge for an Italian club already navigating a delicate budget situation. The sense around the market is that the deal for Greenwood, if it materializes, will be a major investment rather than a routine transfer, and the management will need to balance ambition with the prudent management of squad costs.
In this context, Roma’s strategy appears to be a mix of patience and opportunism. Rather than fixating on a single marquee signing, they could benefit from scouting a broader range of profiles who can deliver immediate impact without destabilizing the wage structure or provoking a domino effect within the squad. For now, Fenerbahce seems to be the frontrunner in the Greenwood pursuit, while Roma continues to monitor the landscape, ready to pivot if an appealing, financially viable alternative presents itself. The coming days should clarify whether Roma will step back from the chase or shift gears to secure a workable solution that aligns with their broader long-term plans.