Roma’s Romano regret is Cagliari’s gain as market value soars ahead of Italy debut

PARMA, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Alessandro Romano of Cagliari Calcio celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)

Alessandro Romano is set to earn his senior debut for the Italy national team against Belgium in the Nations League on Friday, and it has been suggested by the media in Italy that Roma might already be regretting the terms they negotiated when selling the midfielder to Cagliari earlier this summer. 

Romano value expected to skyrocket after Italy debut

20-year-old Romano has been one of the success stories of the early Serie A season, netting on his league debut for Cagliari before earning his first call-up to the Italy national team for the extra-long September-October international break.

The deep-lying midfielder, who has earned comparisons to Barcelona’s Rodri by La Gazzetta dello Sport, had represented Switzerland at youth international level, but formally switched his allegiance to Italy earlier this month before his maiden call-up from Roberto Mancini. 

And now, according to reports from various outlets across Italy, Romano is set to start at the base of Mancini’s midfield for his first game back in charge of the Nazionale against Belgium on Friday, likely alongside Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella. 

It has been a rapid rise to the top of the Italian game for Romano, who joined Cagliari on loan with an option to buy that will likely become an obligation by the end of the 2026-27 season. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Roma might already be regretting the terms of the deal they negotiated with Cagliari earlier this summer, given that they will only earn a maximum of €6.5m through Romano’s sale: €5m in transfer fees and up to €1.5m in bonuses. 

The Giallorossi did not negotiate a buy-back clause before selling Romano to Cagliari. 

And with an Italy debut around the corner, a starring role in a high-flying Cagliari side and with several of the top Serie A clubs rumoured to be eyeing the 20-year-old already, his transfer value is expected to rise significantly beyond the €6.5m that Roma will earn from his permanent departure.