Wojciech Szczesny to Roma: Italian giants refuse to meet Arsenal's 'unrealistic' valuation of goalkeeper

In demand: Roma are keen to keep Szczesny, but not at the price Arsenal are quoting
James Benge6 May 2016

Roma are keen to bring Wojciech Szczesny back to the Stadio Olimpico when his loan deal expires but sporting director Walter Sabatini has said he will refuse to meet Arsenal’s buyback clause.

Szczesny has made plain his desire to return to Serie A after a season in which he has enjoyed the first team football he covets; the same could not likely be said of Arsenal, where the signing of Petr Cech ended the Polish international’s hopes of a regular first-team spot.

Whilst Roma will have the option to exercise a purchase clause in their loan agreement with Arsenal they feel that Szczesny’s parent club have a prohibitively high valuation on their goalkeeper, a player who Arsene Wenger labelled “top-class” before he moved to Italy.

“I’ve yet to speak with Arsenal, but the figure on his buyout clause is not realistic,” Sabatini said. “We will discuss the renewal of the loan, not the purchase. We will push for Alisson – but it won’t be easy. He is the No.1 for the Brazilian national team.”

Over 32 Serie A appearances Szczesny has kept seven clean sheets, enjoying a fine run of form since the arrival of head coach Luciano Spalletti in January.

Roma will end the season in third place, securing a spot in the Champions League qualifying round, and Szczesny will be keen to make amends in a competition where he continually struggled for the Giallorossi.

Arsenal could also be without David Ospina next season with the Colombian, Cech’s number two, considering his future after making just 12 appearances in all competitions.

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