El Shaarawy closing in on Genoa return after 15 years
Quick summary
Stephan El Shaarawy is reportedly nearing a return to Genoa, the club where he began his career, 15 years after leaving.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceFormer Roma winger Stephan El Shaarawy is closing in on a return to Genoa, where his professional career began, 15 years after leaving the Grifone to join Milan in the summer of 2011.
El Shaarawy finalising Genoa return after 15 years El Shaarawy has been available as a free agent all summer after leaving Roma upon the expiry of his contract on June 30. The 32-time Italy international had two stints at the Stadio Olimipico totalling nine years of service and 330 competitive appearances for the Giallorossi.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 20: Romelu Lukaku of AS Roma (L) celebrates with teammates Lorenzo Pellegrini (C) and Stephan El Shaarawy after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Olimpico on January 20, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) There had been reports earlier this summer that there was interest in El Shaarawy from Saudi Arabia and that Al Shabab were willing to offer the 33-year-old a massive €10m-per-season contract .
However, according to the latest updates from Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio , El Shaarawy is now closing in on a return to Genoa after 15 years. He is, in fact, expected to complete the formalities of his move including the signing of his contract by the end of Wednesday evening.
The Serie A transfer window officially closed at 19.00 BST on Tuesday evening (September 1), but this does not affect El Shaarawy given his status as a free agent.
LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Lameck Banda of US Lecce competes for the ball with Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma during the Serie A match between US Lecce and AS Roma at Stadio Via del Mare on January 06, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) He now looks set to become Genoa’s 13th signing of the summer following the previous arrivals of Lorenzo Colombo, David Puczka, Cody Drameh, Djibril Sow, Franz-Ethan Meichtry, Samuel Wiafe, Milutin Osmajic, Hamed Traore, Mario Mitaj, Elias Havel, Marcelo Vaz and Robinho Junior.
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What happened
Stephan El Shaarawy, the Italian forward who rose through Genoa's youth academy before moving to AC Milan in 2011, is reportedly close to rejoining the Grifone. After stints at Monaco, Roma, and Shanghai SIPG, the 32-year-old is said to be in advanced talks with Genoa. The move would bring El Shaarawy back to the club that launched his career and provide Genoa with experienced attacking quality as they look to strengthen their squad.
Chance analysis
A homecoming story that carries genuine sentimental weight: El Shaarawy began his professional journey at Genoa as a teenager before exploding onto the scene with AC Milan. Now 32 and a seasoned international with Italy, he returns as a veteran rather than a prospect. For Genoa, securing a player of his pedigree and Serie A experience on what is likely a modest deal would be a smart piece of business, adding versatility and creativity to their forward line.
El Shaarawy's arrival would add experienced attacking depth to Genoa while marking a sentimental return to the club where his career began.