Monchi: Now the time has come to add to the squad

Speaking at a press conference to present new signing Maxime Gonalons, Monchi was asked about the likely comings and goings at the club ahead of the new campaign.

While rumours of Antonio Rudiger's departure continue to swirl, beyond that the Spaniard said that there will be no other major sales - insisting, when pressed, that Radja Nainggolan will remain with the Giallorossi.

“Yes. I think we’ve seen the last of the big departures from our club," Monchi said. "Now it’s time to build a team, which will be supplemented with potential purchases in the transfer market.”

On specific deals, he added: “We’re a long way off [with Sassuolo's Gregoire Defrel]. We’re looking to bring in a player with the qualities that Defrel offers and he’s not the only option we have. We had contact with Sassuolo yesterday, but both sides are still some way apart. We want to pay what we believe to be a fair price for each player, just as we sell for a price that we believe to be right for us.

"Currently, while fully respecting Sassuolo’s view, our difference in opinion is sizeable. I’ll say it again: we do not want to pay more than what we see as the market value for a player."

"“We’re working on [a number of things] and we hope to get something done as soon as possible. My philosophy is this: I prefer to get the player I want, even if it’s late in the day, rather than rushing into things.”

Earlier in the day, Monchi joked with a fan on the touchline that they would see each other "at the Circus Maximus" at the end of the campaign - celebrating a piece of silverware.

“You can’t compare a comment made to the fans to an official statement," he noted. "I’m very ambitious. I’m a very ambitious person by nature, and perhaps slightly forward. I’ve always been that way as a sporting director and that could be why I’ve achieved good things.

"I’m pleased with how things are going, but just as leagues aren’t won in September but in May, the transfer window doesn’t close at the start of July but at the end of August. I’m convinced that we’ll put together a team that can fight and will be competitive.

"Whether we’ll end up at the Circus Maximus, I don’t know – that’s a whole other discussion. What counts is that we have the means to get there and I believe we do here at Roma.”

The director was also asked about Francesco Totti, who retired as a player at the end of the previous season and is now enjoying a well-deserved holiday before finalising the next challenge of his career.

“Francesco is taking time to rest," Monchi said. I think it’s the right thing, in such an important moment of his life, to take the time he needs to think. We await him with open arms and we’ll wait forever if we need to. He will always be important to Roma. But ultimately, it’s his decision and he’ll make it when the time is right.

"This is his home. He doesn’t have to knock; he has the keys. After a long and demanding career, he’s resting. We just have to wait and clearly we hope he comes back here.”