Roma Transfer Plan: Friedkin’s Everton Route to Wesley

Roma transfer plan has taken an unexpected twist as club owner Dan Friedkin looks to exploit his newly acquired stake in Everton to bring Flamengo’s €30 million-rated wing-back Wesley to the Stadio Olimpico without breaching Serie A’s spending limits.

Roma transfer plan hinges on Friedkin’s dual ownership

The Friedkin Group recently agreed terms to purchase a majority stake in Everton, turning the American consortium into a rare cross-channel ownership force. Because UEFA rules on multi-club ownership only kick in when both sides qualify for the same European competition, Friedkin can—at least for now—use the Premier League outfit as a strategic waypoint. By buying Wesley outright for the Toffees and immediately loaning him to Roma, Friedkin would allow the Giallorossi to strengthen José Mourinho’s squad while keeping the transfer fee off Roma’s 2024-25 balance sheet.

Why Wesley is top of the wish list

Wesley Flamengo, 20, has exploded onto the Brasileirão scene with his surging dribbles, 92 percent pass accuracy and fearless one-v-one defending. Roma scouts view him as a long-term upgrade on Rick Karsdorp and Zeki Çelik, offering an athletic option who can play as a traditional right-back in a back four or as a rampaging wing-back in Mourinho’s preferred 3-4-2-1. At 1.83 m, he wins aerial duels and, crucially, still counts as an Under-22 player for league registration purposes.

The financial mechanics

• Everton purchase Wesley for €30 m in one instalment.
• Roma receive the Brazilian on an initial 18-month loan, covering only the player’s wages.
• A pre-agreed buy option—reportedly €35 m—kicks in for summer 2025, spreading Roma’s cost into a later budget cycle.
• Flamengo secure a significant upfront fee, satisfying their desire for a record sale while retaining a 10 percent sell-on clause.

How Everton benefit

While the Toffees’ immediate squad needs lie elsewhere, Friedkin’s Everton loan arrangement offers several upsides:
1. Capital gains when Roma trigger the purchase clause.
2. A potential recall option if Premier League survival requires reinforcements.
3. Strengthened relations with South American markets, an area Everton have historically neglected.

Juventus circle as rival suitor

Juventus have been tracking Wesley since last winter and remain ready to pounce if Roma’s complex structure falters. The Bianconeri enjoy strong links with Brazilian agents and can offer Wesley Champions League exposure in 2024-25. However, Juve’s tight wage bill, plus ongoing financial investigations, could complicate a straight-cash bid this January. Roma transfer plan insiders believe Friedkin’s dual-club leverage gives the capital side a decisive head start.

Tactical ripple effects for Mourinho

Should Wesley arrive in January, Mourinho can:
• Shift Stephan El Shaarawy higher up the pitch.
• Deploy Leonardo Spinazzola on his natural left flank permanently.
• Rotate Karsdorp as a defensive alternative in late-game scenarios.
Data analysts at Trigoria estimate Wesley’s progressive carries (6.8 per 90 minutes) would raise Roma’s average field position by four metres, easing Paulo Dybala’s creative load.

Compliance with UEFA regulations

Friedkin’s lawyers have combed through Article 5 of UEFA’s competition rules. Because Everton currently sit outside the European qualifying spots, the clubs can operate independently for registration purposes. If both teams were to reach Europe simultaneously, Friedkin would have to divest a controlling stake in one side or prove “significant influence” thresholds are unmet—a bridge to cross in the future. For now, Roma transfer plan remains within the letter of the law.

Market reaction and fan sentiment

Romanisti on social media have largely applauded the ingenuity, dubbing the strategy “Operazione Ponte” (Bridge Operation). Everton supporters are split: some fear Goodison Park becoming a feeder club; others welcome the fresh investment after years of stagnation under Farhad Moshiri. Flamengo fans regret losing another academy gem but accept the fee dwarfs previous domestic offers.

Timeline to completion

• December 1: Friedkin Group expected to receive Premier League approval.
• December 7: Everton submit formal bid to Flamengo.
• December 15: Medical in Rio, immediate flight to Rome for loan registration.
• January 4: Wesley eligible for Roma’s Serie A clash with Atalanta.

What could derail the deal?

1. A late Juventus cash offer topping €35 m.
2. UEFA fast-tracking tighter multi-club ownership rules.
3. Wesley demanding Premier League minutes rather than a Serie A loan.
Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto remains confident, citing the player’s preference for daily mentorship under Mourinho.

Long-term vision of Friedkin’s Roma transfer plan

Beyond Wesley, Friedkin’s multi-club network may mirror Red Bull and City Football Group models, funneling youth prospects through Everton’s academy before seasoning them in Rome. Such synergies could help Roma bridge the financial gap to Serie A’s elite without violating Financial Fair Play. Analysts predict that monetising player pathways could add €40 m annually to Roma’s revenues by 2027.

Crunching the numbers

• Initial cash outlay (Everton): €30 m
• Loan fee received from Roma: €0 (salary only)
• Deferred purchase option: €35 m
• Net profit potential for Everton: €5 m plus performance bonuses
For Roma, the delayed payment structure maintains compliance with Italy’s liquidity index, vital after recent fines for late tax contributions.

Opinion: A smart gamble worth taking

Friedkin’s Roma transfer plan shows creative thinking in an era of rigid regulations. If UEFA green-lights the structure and Wesley adapts quickly, Roma could solve a key positional weakness with minimal short-term financial pain. The risk, of course, is regulatory whiplash. Yet fortune favours the bold, and this calculated gamble might just rewrite how Italian clubs navigate modern football economics.