Reports emerging from Italy suggest that Roma is poised to receive a significant financial injection of approximately €6 million. This comes as the Giallorossi are nearing a resolution to a long-standing dispute with FC Basel concerning a sell-on clause that was reportedly agreed upon when Riccardo Calafiori moved between the two clubs in 2022.
Helpful Financial Boost for Roma from Calafiori’s Arsenal Move
Calafiori, a product of the Italian capital and a former youth player for Roma, found limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho during his early career. He was subsequently sold to Basel by former sporting director Tiago Pinto in the summer of 2022. The following season, he made a permanent move to Bologna, and subsequently secured a lucrative transfer to Arsenal in the summer after that.
Calafiori’s initial transfer to Basel generated a fee of just €2.5 million for Roma. However, the Giallorossi also negotiated a 40% sell-on clause as part of that agreement. This meant that when Calafiori transferred to Bologna for a €4 million fee the subsequent year, Roma received an additional €1.6 million.
A protracted dispute has existed between Roma and Basel over the past few years. Roma contends that the wording of their agreement with Basel entitled them not only to 40% of Calafiori’s next transfer fee but also to all future profits that Basel would realize from the Italy international.
Therefore, when Calafiori joined Arsenal from Bologna for a reported fee of €45 million plus bonuses, Basel received half of that sum due to their own 50% sell-on clause. Roma, however, believes they are entitled to 40% of the €22.5 million that Basel would have earned from their 50% sell-on clause, amounting to approximately €9 million that Roma feels is still owed.
The matter was brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the two clubs are expected to reach a settlement agreement that will benefit Roma by around €6 million.
This potential influx of funds arrives at a particularly opportune moment for Roma. The club is required to generate approximately €50 million to €60 million in funds before the end of June to comply with the terms of the Financial Fair Play settlement agreement they previously reached with UEFA.
In addition to the potential €6 million from the Calafiori deal, the club has also secured capital gains totaling €2 million from Saud Abdulhamid’s permanent move to Lens and €3 million from the sale of Buba Sangare to Elche.
There are ongoing reports indicating that Roma might consider selling one of their first-team stars, such as Evan Ndicka or Manu Kone, to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.