Lecce, hot transfer window: Krstovic on his way to Roma

The Giallorossi are still in Nikola Krstović's sights. But this time, it might not be Lecce. The Montenegrin striker is the catalyst for the Salento club's transfer market. Last season in Serie A, played at a high level, generated significant interest from Italian and European clubs. His 11 goals and five assists in the last season did not go unnoticed, crucial numbers that helped Lecce secure their historic third consecutive Serie A relegation.

Several clubs have inquired about him, but nothing has been accelerated so far. With less than twenty days to go until the transfer window closes, one club has made significant progress and could represent the Montenegrin's next destination: Roma. The Roman club has been following Krstovic for some time. The Salento-based club's number nine enjoys the respect of coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who has identified him as a key player for his team. At the same time, Roma is a highly desirable destination for Krstovic, who has always placed the possibility of remaining in the Italian league at the top of his list of options. A basic agreement on the fee and contract term has reportedly already been reached with Roma, although the clubs have yet to give final approval. Much will depend on Artem Dovbyk, Roma's center forward, who could, however, leave Gasperini's team during this transfer window. The Ukrainian striker's departure would then pave the way for Roma to make a decisive move for Krstovic. The cost of the deal would range between €25 and €30 million, the amount Lecce is asking to part with their striker. Furthermore, Dovbyk himself has enquiries from the Premier League, particularly from Leeds, a club that had also made inquiries about Krstovic in June, but was turned down.

Therefore, looking ahead, all paths seem to truly lead to Rome for the Lecce striker. There are still some avenues that have been explored in recent weeks but have remained unexplored. Wolfsburg has made an approach abroad, but their attempt has been unsuccessful. In Italy, discussions have taken place with Atalanta following the sale of Mateo Retegui, but the Bergamo club has already targeted alternatives to the Montenegrin. The option of AC Milan shouldn't be completely dismissed, as the club needs to invest in a striker but is currently targeting Rasmus Hojlund and Dusan Vlahovic. AC Milan, moreover, already made an initial offer for Krstovic in January. In short, there's no shortage of interest, but nothing has been finalized yet.

What's certain is that the Montenegrin's departure would have a significant knock-on effect for Lecce's transfer market. In this regard, the focus is primarily on defense. Technical director Pantaleo Corvino and sporting director Stefano Trinchera are focusing their efforts on one name: Zeno Van Den Bosch. He's a Belgian central defender, a former Under-21 international, born in 2003, currently owned by Antwerp. He's a modern goalscorer, gifted with physical strength but also good build-up technique. He's the player the Giallorossi have chosen to strengthen their defense, and he would be a significant signing for Di Francesco's team. Rumors have surfaced from Belgium that Lecce has already made a €5 million offer, but Antwerp, who are seeking more, has rejected it. This isn't a definitive halt to negotiations, but merely a step in the traditional back-and-forth in deals of this nature. Van Den Bosch's contract expires in 2026, which affects his value, and several European clubs besides Lecce are interested in him. Competition certainly isn't helping, but it's not a permanent obstacle to a successful deal. The Giallorossi are evaluating their next moves and a relaunch, which could prove decisive, cannot be ruled out in the coming days. The goal is to complete the signing of a new central defender before the start of the season, scheduled for August 23, when Lecce travels to Genoa for their Serie A opener. Always on the move, the Giallorossi are working to find new positions for players who aren't part of next season's technical plan. These are Youssef Maleh, Hamza Rafia, and Remi Oudin. All three are still wearing the Giallorossi jersey, but their futures are set far from Salento.