EXCLUSIVE: AS Roma stole youngster from under Spurs’ noses, claims agent
Marchione, Machin had an amazing season, everyone talks about him
“I am extremely happy, but I had no doubt. He proved his value through the season even if this was his first year in Italy. There is still a long way to go, but he is a humble guy.”
How did AS Roma manage to sign him?
“Walter Sabatini deserves the credit for that. He scouted him and he made the right offer at the right time, signing him from Malaga as a free agent. The player had almost agreed a move to Tottenham before Sabatini’s offer. AS Roma made the best proposal.”
Is Alberto De Rossi the most important person in the player’s career?
“Absolutely yes. Machin was a good project before joining the club. He has become a great player under De Rossi. Casanova deserves a mention too, he was the one who brought him to Barcelona.”
Machin is a modern centre midfielder, which manager would help his growth in the future? “The best thing would be to work with a manager who believes in young players: Di Francesco, De Zerbi, Oddo and Rastelli for example. Managers with fresh and new ideas.”
Can you confirm that he has already received some offers?
“Yes, not only from Italy. Portuguese and Spanish clubs want to have him on a loan deal, both big sides that have a project for his future and small clubs which could give him the starter status straight away. AS Roma have to make a decision, I’ll meet Sabatini and Ricky Massara soon and we’ll find the best solution together. We are in no rush, Machin can still improve a lot.”
Is there any Italian club that went close to sign him?
“AC Milan, before he moved to Malaga. Riccardo Pecini invited him to a tournament, but Machin had no EU passport at the time, that’s why the deal collapsed. We are happy we found AS Roma afterwards, they believe in him both for the present and for the future.”
CM.com staff, translated by Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
