Roma and Everton Team Up for Flamengo’s Wesley
When two teams share the same owners, you start to see some clever moves in the transfer market. That's exactly what's happening with Roma and Everton as they join forces to try to bring Flamengo’s young right-back Wesley to Europe. It’s not your usual transfer story—this one involves creative financial planning, a bit of persuasion from some well-connected figures, and a player eager to prove himself in Italy.
Roma, guided by their new manager Gian Piero Gasperini, have set their sights on Wesley after a season that demanded serious upgrades at right-back. Gasperini didn’t just put Wesley’s name on a list; he picked up the phone and convinced the 21-year-old Brazilian that he’d be central to Roma’s new project. That kind of direct pitch, backed by a clear vision of regular playing time, can really turn a player’s head—especially someone Wesley’s age who is hungry for a European challenge.
On top of that, Wesley got a nudge from someone who knows both Roma and Brazilian football inside out: Gerson. The midfield star, who wore the Roma shirt before heading back to Brazil, advised Wesley to grab the chance at a move to Serie A. For a player debating whether to jump continent, that kind of insider tip means a lot and played a big role in Wesley saying yes to Roma.
Inside the Deal: Loans, Obligations, and Friedkin Group Strategy
Here’s where it gets interesting. Both Roma and Everton are under the Friedkin Group, a US-based investment company with ambitions to turn their clubs into heavy hitters. With both clubs working under the same umbrella, they have more flexibility to strategize transfers that might be tough for rivals to pull off.
Wesley’s been tracked for a while—he almost joined Atalanta last summer before the deal collapsed. Fast forward to now: Roma put €25 million on the table, which is just under Flamengo’s €30 million asking price. But what sets this deal apart is the structure. The plan is for Everton to sign Wesley outright. Then, they’ll loan him straight to Roma with an obligation for Roma to eventually buy him. This way, Roma can fit the payments into their budget and still build a squad good enough to chase trophies. At the same time, Flamengo get most of what they want for a player who has already told the club he’s ready for Europe.
This isn’t just about one player. Moves like this show how club groups like the Friedkin Group are changing the transfer market. They can move assets between their teams, making financial fair play rules easier to navigate and helping their clubs stay competitive. With Wesley already agreeing to leave Brazil, and negotiations moving quickly, Flamengo might end up accepting less than they first hoped.
The deal reflects a growing trend where multi-club owners flex their muscle to sign top talent. Roma and Everton’s cooperation on Wesley is just another sign of how the landscape is shifting—and why fans might want to keep an eye on who really controls their favorite teams.
