OFFICIAL: Jordan Veretout moves to Roma

Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Jordan Veretout has made the move to AS Roma on a five-year deal.

You’d think we’d be a little more upset at the loss of one of the most important players from last year’s squad, but I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we’re just happy to move on with the extra €17 million (plus €2 million in bonuses) in our coffers.

You’re all well familiar with the story by now; a few months ago, the 26-year-old French midfielder publicly stated that he was ready for a step-up to European football, effectively submitting a transfer request to the Fiorentina brass. Seemingly decades later, one of his potential suitors has finally tied the knot, and Jordan is now on his merry way to the Stadio Olimpico.

Arriving in Florence from kit brethren Saint-Étienne in July of 2017, Veretout immediately shed his reputation as an afterthought at Aston Villa, becoming a central cog in the Viola midfield from day one. In his first year, his hustle often left us impressed; he’d go from playing key passes in from deep inside our own half to spearheading the attack on the very next possession. Though Stefano Pioli shifted him to a more defensive role this past season, he easily maintained his status as the most valuable midfielder on the team. His performances floundered quite a bit over his last couple of months in purple, but that criticism applies to nearly every other player on the squad as well—we can cut him a bit of slack there. He leaves having bagged six assists and 15 goals in all competitions over his two-year campaign with Fiorentina, which is more than enough to give him a tip of the hat in thanks for his service and well wishes for his future.

Will we miss him? Well, it’s a little too early to say at this point. Our midfield seems quite the barren wasteland with his departure, but we’ve been meekly assured that Rocco Commisso and Daniele Pradè have reinforcements on the way. Nonetheless, this seemingly never-ending chapter of the 2019 summer transfer window has come to a close, and so we rejoice.