AS Roma have placed their goalkeeper Robin Olsen on the transfer list. Several European clubs were reportedly looking at Olsen even prior to this latest development.
Robin Olsen Transfer Listed by AS Roma
Plenty of Interest Across Europe
Last week, it was reported by Corriere dello Sport that Bayer Leverkusen were ‘getting closer’ to signing Olsen. Though, the Bundesliga club could face competition from Celtic of the Scottish Premiership. Aston Villa of the Premier League are also said to be in the picture. Whilst, Sporting CP, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, are another club with interest.
According to Italian Sky Sport journalist Mario Giunta, Scottish champions Celtic have had an offer rejected by the Serie A side.
Rome, Celtic insists on Olsen. Currently low offer. 🟡🔴@SkySport #asroma #celticfc #transfer
— Mario Giunta (@MarioGiunta) August 12, 2020
Who Is Olsen?
He is a 30-year-old goalkeeper from Sweden. He was the first choice for his country during the 2018 World Cup. His performances – in helping Sweden reach the quarter-finals – convinced AS Roma to sign Olsen for an initial €8.5 million.
This transfer was in July 2018. At the time, Roma had just sold Alisson to Liverpool. Replacing Alisson is a tough act for any goalkeeper. Sadly for Olsen, he endured a difficult 2018/19 season in Rome.
Last summer, Roma appointed Paulo Fonseca as their new manager. The club also decided to sign Pau Lopez from Real Betis as Roma’s new first-choice keeper. Roma then loaned Olsen to their Serie A rivals Cagliari, where he deputised for Alessio Cragno, who had sustained a long-term injury.
The Aston Villa Link
Reports in the Italian media state that Olsen could join Aston Villa. There is a good reason for this speculation.
Two weeks ago, Villa appointed Johan Lange as their new Sporting Director. He joined the Midlands’ club from FC Copenhagen.
Lange arrives at Villa Park with a formidable reputation for finding talent at FC Copenhagen. He adopted the business policy of “buy low; sell high” to his player transfer recruitment.
One such signing for FC Copenhagen was Olsen, who originally joined on a loan deal in January 2016.
Lange spotted his potential and paid £630,000 to Greek side PAOK to sign the former Malmo FF keeper permanently. This represented one of the best deals in the Danish club’s history. They made a reported £7.5 million profit when they sold him to Roma.
Olsen’s next destination is uncertain, but his AS Roma career is almost definitely over.
Main Photo
