Roma boss Jose Mourinho rued the financial constrains he is bound by at the Serie A club and added that his side’s “reality is different” to that of Manchester City.
While the Italian side did spend upwards of €100 million ($109m) in Mourinho’s first season at the club, they’ve spent just €9.5m on transfers across the last two seasons to comply with UEFA’s financial fair play regulations.
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First-choice center back Roger Ibañez was sold to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli in August to help balance the books and it’s also why Romelu Lukaku and Renato Sanches, their two marquee signings this summer, arrived on loan deals.
The limited spending power coupled with long-term injuries to striker Tammy Abraham and defender Chris Smalling has left Roma struggling in fourth place in the Serie A. Center-back Evan Ndicka‘s departure for the African Cup of Nations in January will leave the defence further depleted.
