Roma are on the hunt for a new sporting director to replace Frederic Massara, with the club aiming to bolster their squad under the guidance of manager Gian Piero Gasperini this summer. After days of speculation, the Giallorossi—led by the Friedkin family—have reportedly set their sights on a top target.

Multiple sources indicate that Roma have made direct contact with Giovanni Manna, Napoli's current sporting director. Manna, however, is still under contract with the Partenopei for three more years, making any potential move complicated. The Friedkins and Manna have held face-to-face talks, which also included a meeting with Gasperini. According to La Repubblica, the discussions were positive, and Roma have already submitted a formal proposal to the director.

Now, the ball is in Napoli's court. The key hurdle is Manna's existing deal with the Neapolitan club. President Aurelio De Laurentiis is playing hardball, reportedly demanding a €10 million release fee to let his sporting director go. That's a steep price for an executive, leaving the Friedkins to weigh their options: push ahead with the expensive pursuit or pivot to less complicated targets.

Alternative candidates are still in the mix. Roma have yet to approach D'Amico, while discussions with former Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli have taken place but haven't fully convinced the ownership. Giuntoli, notably, is a free agent—a factor that could make him an attractive, cost-effective fallback plan as Roma look to build for the future.