Roma winger Matias Soulé has reportedly warmed to the idea of joining the Saudi Pro League as the Italian club faces a pressing Financial Fair Play deadline on 30 June. The 23-year-old Argentine, who arrived from Juventus only last summer, had previously been hesitant to leave European football at this stage of his career. However, Il Romanista suggests the prospect of a contract worth €12 million per season has shifted his stance.
Two Saudi clubs, Al-Ahli and Al-Diraiyah, have positioned themselves to secure the attacker’s signature. Both are prepared to meet Roma’s asking price of €30 million plus additional bonuses, with formal proposals expected to arrive this weekend. The fee would represent a modest profit on the €28.6 million Roma paid Juventus for Soulé in 2024, generating approximately €15 million in capital gains crucial for the club’s FFP compliance.
Gasperini’s Tactics and Roma’s Financial Bind
The potential departure follows a challenging debut campaign for Soulé in the Italian capital. The winger struggled to find consistency under coach Gian Piero Gasperini, failing to fully adapt to the tactical system employed by the former Atalanta manager. These sporting difficulties have made him the most likely candidate to be sacrificed as Roma scramble to satisfy financial regulations before the accounting cutoff.
While interest from within Europe reportedly exists, no continental clubs have matched the financial muscle displayed by the Saudi representatives. The kingdom’s representatives remain the only parties willing to invest the €30 million required to release the player from his contract, leaving Roma with limited alternatives as the deadline approaches.
Race Against the Deadline
The coming days will prove decisive for all parties. Roma must complete a high-value sale by 30 June to avoid FFP sanctions, making the Saudi option increasingly attractive despite the player’s limited service at the club. The transaction would mark a swift exit for a player signed with long-term ambitions just twelve months ago.
Should Soulé give final approval and personal terms be concluded, the transfer could be processed rapidly to meet the accounting deadline. The situation illustrates the growing financial pressures facing Serie A clubs, where regulatory obligations increasingly dictate squad composition ahead of sporting merit.