Rodrigo Mora is “sad and suffering” because FC Porto have not given the all-clear for his proposed move to Roma, according to the teenager’s lawyer, who says the player has realised he is Francesco Farioli’s third choice.
Negotiations between the clubs appeared to make significant progress on Tuesday evening, with a deal reportedly close to being agreed. The proposed transfer would see Mora join Roma on loan for between €7m and €10m, with an option to buy for a further €40m-€43m at the end of the season.
However, the move has stalled over the conditions that would turn that option into a compulsory purchase.
The obligation would be activated if certain targets were achieved, but FC Porto and Roma have fundamentally different views about what those conditions should be. FC Porto want the clause to become practically unavoidable if Roma qualify for European competition.
Roma, by contrast, would prefer the obligation to be linked to Champions League qualification or even winning the Scudetto.
As a result, discussions have been at a complete standstill for several days, with neither club appearing willing to compromise on the key point.
Mora’s representative, Luis Miguel Henrique, said the situation was particularly difficult for a player who is still developing and wants regular first-team football.
“Rodrigo Mora is not part of Farioli’s ideas, and this represents a problem, especially for a player who is 18-19 years old and still growing,”lawyer Luis Miguel Henrique told CMTV in Portugal.
“Football is not just a profession for him, but it’s also his life and his joy. The Rodrigo I saw was sad and suffering. He wants to fight for his place, but he also wants to play.
“He has realised that he’s a third choice for Farioli.”
The comments indicate that Mora’s desire to leave is linked to his position in Farioli’s plans at FC Porto. The player wants the opportunity to compete for his place, but also recognises the importance of playing regularly at his age.
There had been reports that Galatasaray had re-entered the race to sign the Portugal teenager as the disagreement between Roma and FC Porto continued.
Despite that interest, Mora appears to have made Roma his preferred destination. His apparent preference has not yet been enough to resolve the dispute, with the proposed €50m-plus transfer package still dependent on the two clubs reaching an agreement over the conditions attached to the deal.
