Alexis Saelemaekers has become a driving force at Roma just as he was in the second part of last season with Bologna, and AC Milan have taken note.
As Calciomercato.com report, Saelemaekers has evolved from all points of view – tactically, technically and characteristically – to become a player who can make a difference at a club like Roma where there has been a lot of pressure this season.
Against Monza he scored his fifth goal of the season with a lovely curling shot from the left wing, and with 12 games still to go, this is already the best year in terms of goals scored. Considering Samuel Chukwueze’s disappointing return, Milan might have some regrets.
On the one hand, Saelemaekers would have gladly stayed at Milan in the summer even without having guarantees of a starting place because he knew he was highly regarded by the then-coach Paulo Fonseca.
However, for the management, the former Anderlecht had been considered surplus to requirements since day one of the summer. What he has done so far with the Giallorossi shirt has changed the perception and value in view of the summer.
“Alexis, puoi farne anche uno brutto”
Alexis: 🤷#ASRoma #RomaMonza pic.twitter.com/rQSOMplOnI
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) February 25, 2025
There was a sort of verbal agreement between Roma and Milan on a valuation of €8-10m for Saelemaekers last summer, with Tammy Abraham coming the other way in what was a straight swap of 12-month dry loans.
The Giallorossi then got nervous when CEO Giorgio Furlani made a request of over €25m in January, as they pushed to make his signing permanent. Roma have not given up and intends to intensify contacts in the coming days to find an agreement, much will depend on Saelemaekers’ will.
The feeling is that an agreement can be found halfway, around €20m therefore, but it remains to be seen whether Florent Ghisolfi will be able to offer this figure and if there might be a change of heart from the Diavolo.
He is better option than Chukwueze
I agree – If Salad’s in the form of his life here’s an idea – instead of selling to Roma bring him back! sheesh…
Salad is in the form of his life because he plays all the time. Bring him back in and he’s a bench player at best. He won’t start over Puli unless the American needs rest. If Salad doesn’t play often, he won’t be as good as he is at Roma.
Stats say he’s on Leao’s level. 🙂
Those small numbers make big difference.
Chukwueze stats are below Lorenzo Colmobo.
Colombo is a CF, Chukie is a winger. Comparing apples to oranges there.
Numbers, comparing numbers.
Colombo is so much cheaper than Chukwueze and Abraham. You can always buy 1 extra expensive player for example Ricci, and to use Saelemaekers and Colombo as back up. And than just sell Chukwueze.
Oh right, you thought I was commenting on Chuk… Nope, I meant that Saelemaekers is on par with Leao.
He’s a lot more versatile than Chukwueze.
I was always happy for him to stay.
That really was a superb goal, he got the defender on the fake shot and then finished beautifully
Milan should sell salaemakers to Roma. No reason to bringing him back to Milan. Move on and get Edon Zhegrova from Lille.
What we’ve seen with some of these players gone from the scudetto team is that there are intangibles which are hard to quantify.
Guys may not look valuable on paper due to pure stats but they more than make up for it in heart, work rate, love of the shirt, grinta, etc. Salad was one of those guys. As were Tonali, Kessie, Giroud, etc.
Now all gone. And we see where we are. You need a group of guys like that in the team. They don’t have to be the stars, but the stars see them and know that they have to put in the effort.