The AS Roma board hopes to restore the deteriorated relationship between José Mourinho and Rick Karsdorp, various Italian media report. The 27-year-old right back was back in the Italian capital this weekend for a medical assessment of his psychological complaints, but has now returned to the Netherlands, where he has also been staying in recent weeks. His teammates have been in Japan for some time now for a training camp.
According to, among others La Gazzetta dello Sport there are several clubs interested in Karsdorp, including Juventus, AC Milan, Bologna, Olympique Marseille, Olympique Lyon and even Feyenoord. At most clubs it would be a rental period. However, Roma would be completely unwilling to rent out the arrow-fast right leg, and is only open to a final sale. Karsdorp, who according to Transfermarkt.com worth nine million euros is still fixed in Rome until mid-2025.
If Karsdorp stays, technical director Tiago Pinto is confident that he can improve the relationship between Mourinho and the Dutchman. The club will review the situation when Mourinho and his team return from Japan. The Portuguese coach previously indicated that Karsdorp does not have to return to Roma in January. After the duel with Sassuolo, less than two weeks ago, Mourinho lashed out hard at Karsdorp, without immediately mentioning his name.
“The team’s commitment was betrayed by the attitude of an unprofessional player. He betrayed everyone else,” Mourinho said. “A mistake is part of the game, but I had sixteen players on the field and I didn’t like one. I told the player to look for another team in January.” Karsdorp has been playing for Roma since 2017, which took him over from Feyenoord for around sixteen million euros at the time. Since then, the fullback has made 122 appearances for the club, with the three-time international scoring one goal and thirteen assists.