Massara's revenge on Gasperini after the quarrels: he stole Celik from him and now he wants to do the same with Pellegrini

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli's chief executive, Ricky Massara, appears to be capitalizing on recent tensions with Roma manager Paulo Fonseca, aiming to secure another high-profile transfer from the Italian capital. The latest target is Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has been free to sign since July 1st after his contract with Roma expired. This follows the surprise acquisition of Turkish defender Zeki Celik, which reportedly caught Roma off guard and strained relations between the two clubs. The situation began earlier this month when Celik officially joined Juventus, much to the dismay of Roma. The move was unexpected given that Celik had been expected to complete medical tests with Roma ahead of their pre-season training camp. Instead, he arrived at Juventus' training facility, where he underwent his medical examinations discreetly through a private entrance. His contract was signed the previous day, with the official announcement following shortly thereafter. Roma had initially shown interest in Celik, and discussions were ongoing until the last moment. However, Juventus managed to finalize the deal due to a more attractive financial offer. Massara, who previously had disputes with Fonseca during his tenure at Roma, seems intent on replicating this success with Pellegrini. Despite multiple meetings between Pellegrini’s representatives and Roma officials, the midfielder has yet to commit to extending his stay with the Giallorossi. Pellegrini, who has been linked with several clubs over the past few months, has remained undecided on his future. His relationship with Massara dates back to last year, and there have been indications that the Juventus executive has maintained a positive rapport with the player. This connection could play a crucial role in persuading Pellegrini to make the switch to Turin. The potential move has raised concerns within Roma, particularly among the coaching staff. Fonseca has expressed frustration over how quickly the transfer process unfolded for Celik, feeling that the timing and method used by Juventus left Roma unprepared. Similar anxieties are likely to surface regarding Pellegrini, especially considering his importance to the team's midfield structure. Massara’s strategy involves leveraging both financial incentives and personal relationships to attract key players from rival clubs. With Celik already under his banner, the focus is now shifting towards securing Pellegrini. The Juventus board believes that Pellegrini would be a valuable addition to their squad, aligning well with the club's tactical approach under coach Luciano Spalletti. As negotiations continue, the outcome will depend largely on whether Pellegrini sees value in joining Juventus. If successful, this would mark another significant victory for Massara against Fonseca, further complicating the dynamics between the two clubs. Meanwhile, Roma must navigate these challenges while ensuring they retain other key assets, including players like Paulo Dybala, who recently extended his contract with the club.