Ranieri confirms Roma’s intentions regarding Saelemaekers and praises Milan | OneFootball

Roma head coach Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that the club intend to try and keep Alexis Saelemaekers, meaning they will negotiate with AC Milan.

Saelemaekers looked almost certain to stay at Milan after returning from a loan spell at Bologna, with Paulo Fonseca even publicly praising him, and yet he headed to the capital with Tammy Abraham coming the other way.

The Belgian has seemingly found his stride at Roma, bagging two goals and one assist in the last three games, and interest is mounting ahead of the summer. It was recently claimed that Milan will demand at least €15m for the versatile wide man.

It should be remembered that Bologna opted against redeeming Saelemaekers for the same price. Given the struggles of Samuel Chukwueze and possible sale of Noah Okafor, the idea of bringing him back at the end of the season might appeal.

Ranieri spoke at his pre-match press conference two days before the trip to San Siro to face Milan, and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.

What are you expecting from Milan?

“Milan, if we analyse the players one by one, have a very high quality squad, with very strong and particular players. I believe that it is fundamental for the whole team, when they lose the ball, to maintain maximum attention.

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“Milan are a team that, at home, concede very few goals: it seems to me that they are the second-best in this statistic, immediately after Bologna. We, on the other hand, are among the teams that score the least away from home. For this reason, we will have to play an exceptional match.”

Will you talk to Milan about Saelemaekers tomorrow?

“Usually, when you go to play [away from home], there is little to talk about with the other side. Saelemaekers has settled in very well in Rome, so he is one of those players we want to keep. There is also the issue with Abraham. Let’s see how things develop.”

Is Fonseca’s mission at Milan or yours at Roma more complex?

“Coaches, when they take over a team, always have difficulties and then it is up to them to be able to manage them, to overcome them. Sometimes it is easier, other times it is more difficult. It always depends both on the clubs and on the meeting that takes place with the insiders.

I am lucky because I have found wonderful players who have made themselves available and a club that is always at my disposal. I know that I have a doubly burdensome task, but I am carrying it forward with all my enthusiasm, with all my love.”