Champions League
Roma eye Genoa striker Jeff Ekhator as summer target
AS Roma confirm renewed interest in Genoa’s 19‑year‑old striker Jeff Ekhator, the Italian‑born forward could depart Liguria in the upcoming summer window. The forward, who featured for Italy in friendly victories over Luxembourg and Greece, has attracted attention from the capital club.
Jeff Ekhator was born in 2006 and raised in Genoa to Nigerian parents. His versatile skill set, able to operate across all three attacking positions, matches the profile Gian Piero Gasperini seeks for his Roma side.
In the season that just ended, Ekhator made 30 appearances for the Rossoblu. He contributed three goals for Genoa during that campaign.
Coach Silvio Baldini deployed Ekhator in Italy’s friendly wins against Luxembourg and Greece. Baldini, the Genoa coach, selected him for those fixtures.
Relations between Roma and Genoa are described as excellent, exemplified by the recent Venturino case. The move would allow Ekhator to arrive in Rome without displacing any existing squad member.
As an Italian citizen, Ekhator would qualify for inclusion in Roma’s Champions League squad. The club sees his Italian status as a valuable asset for squad registration.