Roma defender Rick Karsdorp has admitted talks with the club’s new owners convinced him to stay despite interest from Premier League outfit Southampton, speaking to Tuttomercatoweb.
While the Saints succeeded in turning Kyle Walker-Peters’ loan spell into a permanent transfer, the former Tottenham youngster wasn’t the only right-back on the Saints’ summer hit list.
Three years after joining Roma in a £15 million deal, Voetbal International reported injury-hit Karsdorp faced an uncertain future at the Stadio Olimpico with Southampton, who have a history of targeting Dutch players, offering the defender a fresh start.
But then American investor Dan Friedkin took over from James Pallotta in the Giallorossi boardroom and, suddenly, everything changed.
Roma’s new bosses wasted no time in making it clear Karsdorp was a key part of their plans.
“I talked to Friedkin, it was a nice talk. I am happy to be here and to be part of this team,” says the 25-year-old.
“Last year, I was on loan (at Feyenoord) and came back with the belief I could play and in pre-season I played several games.
“I think I have to improve everything. I’m not the player I was three years ago when Roma bought me. I’ve had so many injuries.
“(But) I’m happy to play now and that’s what any player wants. If you play several games in a row, you have more belief.
“I hope this will allow me to express my full potential and return to being the footballer of a few years ago.”
After missing three games with a muscular problem, Karsdorp was back in Paolo Fonseca’s starting XI for the 3-3 draw with AC Milan on Monday.
But, after being given the run-around by Rafael Leao, the Dutchman clearly has a long way to go before he can remind everyone why Roma paid £15 million for his signature.
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