Roma Poised to Beat Borussia Dortmund in Race for Wolves Striker After Reaching Agreement on Personal Terms
AS Roma appear to be on the verge of winning the battle to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Fabio Silva, edging out stiff competition from Borussia Dortmund. The Serie A giants have reportedly agreed personal terms with the 23-year-old Portuguese striker, putting them in a strong position to secure his signature before the summer transfer window closes.
Roma’s Offer Outshines Dortmund’s Bid
According to Corriere dello Sport, Roma have tabled an attractive five-year contract worth €2.5 million per season. Dortmund had also struck a personal terms agreement with Silva earlier in the window, but the player’s growing desire to move to Italy—combined with Roma’s decisive late approach—has tipped the scales in the Giallorossi’s favour.
The primary obstacle now lies in negotiations between Roma and Wolves over the transfer structure. Silva, who has just 12 months remaining on his contract at Molineux, is valued by Wolves at over €25 million (£21.5m/$29m). Roma, however, are reportedly pushing for a deal that would see Silva join on loan initially, with an option to make the move permanent next summer.
From Record Signing to Loan Journeyman
Silva’s journey in English football has been far from straightforward. Signed from FC Porto in 2020 for a club-record €40 million (£34.5m/$47m), the striker arrived at Wolves with a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young prospects. His debut campaign yielded four goals and three assists in the Premier League, but he struggled to cement a consistent place in the starting XI.
Over the past three seasons, Silva has been shipped out on a series of loan spells in a bid to rediscover form and confidence. He featured for Anderlecht, PSV Eindhoven, Rangers, and most recently La Liga outfit Las Palmas, where he enjoyed his most productive season to date—netting 10 goals and contributing three assists across all competitions.
Despite this resurgence in Spain, Silva has made it clear he has no desire to return to England, paving the way for a permanent move abroad. Roma view him as a long-term attacking asset who can spearhead their forward line as part of a wider squad rebuild.
Dortmund’s Disappointment and the Bigger Transfer Picture
For Borussia Dortmund, Silva’s likely snub is a setback. The Bundesliga club, as reported by BILD, had identified him as their No. 1 striker target, even ahead of other offensive reinforcements. Their board had been braced for competition from Villarreal, Real Sociedad, RB Leipzig, and Roma, but they initially believed they were in pole position to sign the Portuguese international.
If Roma seal the deal, Dortmund may be forced to switch focus back to familiar ground—specifically the potential return of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United. Reports suggest several senior players have already urged the club’s hierarchy to open negotiations for Sancho, hoping to bring him back to the Westfalenstadion.
What’s Next
Roma’s immediate priority is to finalise the financial details with Wolves, either meeting their asking price or agreeing a loan-to-buy arrangement that suits both parties. Time is of the essence, with the transfer deadline looming and the Italian club determined to have Silva available for the early stages of their Serie A campaign.
For Wolves, the deal represents a crucial chance to recoup some of their original investment before Silva’s contract runs out next summer. For Silva himself, it could mark the start of a fresh chapter—one that promises regular football, a key role, and the chance to thrive in one of Europe’s most tactically demanding leagues.