Roma have reportedly entered the race to sign Strasbourg’s coveted midfielder Diego Moreira, with Borussia Dortmund also pursuing the 21-year-old talent. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Giallorossi have prepared a formal bid for the Belgium international as they step up their interest in Moreira, who has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s most exciting young players.
Strasbourg, who failed to secure European qualification this season, have begun reshaping their squad following the termination of Gary O’Neil’s contract. The French club is expected to oversee a period of overhaul, selling several first-team stars in the coming months. Long-time defender Emanuel Emegha has already departed for Chelsea, and Moreira could soon follow in similar fashion, potentially becoming one of several high-profile exits.
Valentin Barco and Moreira are both seen as likely departures from the Stade de la Meinau, with Dortmund and Roma at the front of the queue for the Belgium international. Strasbourg’s willingness to listen to offers reflects their current recalibration, even as Moreira’s value remains high. The club has indicated it would not entertain a bargain-basement sale, signaling that any transfer for Moreira would involve a substantial fee.
Di Marzio reports that Roma are prepared to trigger a €30 million bid to secure Moreira’s services. In addition to the upfront fee, Roma are reportedly prepared to include a 10% sell-on clause in the deal, a provision designed to bolster Strasbourg’s compensation should the youngster move on in the future. The arrangement would also align with Roma’s broader ambitions as they plan to compete on multiple fronts in the coming seasons.
Despite limited playing time at the World Cup, Moreira demonstrated considerable potential during the previous season. He recorded five goals and nine assists across 45 appearances in all competitions, a tally that underscores his contribution and potency in the final third. While numbers alone don’t capture his full impact, Moreira’s blend of speed, close ball control, and proficiency in beating defenders one-on-one has marked him out as one of Ligue 1’s most promising youngsters. His performances have attracted interest from clubs with European ambitions, especially as Roma prepare to return to the Champions League and look to infuse their squad with quality and depth.
Moreira’s representatives, led by super-agent Jorge Mendes, are already engaging behind the scenes to smooth the pathway for a transfer. Mendes’ involvement typically signals a high-profile negotiation, with the aim of aligning interests across all parties and ensuring a timely and favorable outcome for Moreira. As talks progress, Roma’s strategy appears focused on balancing a competitive bid with structural incentives that could persuade Strasbourg to part with their star asset.
In summary, Roma are actively pursuing Diego Moreira as part of a broader plan to reinforce their squad ahead of a return to Europe’s top competition. Dortmund remains a rival in the pursuit, but Roma’s readiness to invest €30 million plus a sell-on clause demonstrates their determination to capture the talented winger-midfielder. If the negotiations proceed smoothly and all parties reach a consensus, Moreira could soon be donning a Roma shirt as they march toward ambitious European targets in the near future.
Content Source: Yahoo News
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