Leweling turns down Roma and Everton, Gittens and Luiz Henrique still in play
Quick summary
Jamie Leweling has rejected approaches from Roma and Everton, while transfer targets Gittens and Luiz Henrique remain viable options for Italian clubs.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRoma had hoped their €35m plus add-ons offer to VfB Stuttgart would suffice, but Jamie Leweling rejected both them and Everton, so they turn to Zenit’s Luiz Henrique or Jamie Bynoe-Gittens of Chelsea.
The Giallorossi had set aside a fee of €35m plus €5m in bonus to secure a new attacking winger for coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
They had several candidates on the list for the final hours of the transfer session, but had already seen names like Jean-Matteo Bahoya of Eintracht Frankfurt removed.
Leweling refusing transfer, Roma look elsewhere ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Zeki Celik of AS Roma competes for the ball with Jamie Leweling of VfB Stuttgart during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between AS Roma and VfB Stuttgart at Stadio Olimpico on January 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) There were suggestions from Sportitalia today that an agreement was reached with VfB Stuttgart for Leweling at €35m plus €5m in add-ons.
That may well have been true, but Sky Sports Deutschland and Sky Sport Italia both confirm this evening that the player has refused all offers.
He is determined to stay with Stuttgart, and also turned down Everton this evening with similar terms.
HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 5: Jamie Gittens of Chelsea FC reacts during the preseason friendly between Chelsea and Juventus at the Kai Tak Stadium on August 5, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) Down to the final hours of the window, Roma are now going to focus on securing Luiz Henrique from Zenit St. Petersburg for the same €35m plus €5m proposal.
It is also possible they will try again for Bynoe-Gittens from Chelsea.
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What happened
According to Football Italia, winger Jamie Leweling has turned down both Roma and Everton, ending speculation over a move to either club. The report indicates that the Bundesliga-based attacker was pursued by the Serie A side and the Premier League club but opted against a transfer. Meanwhile, other targets including Gittens and Luiz Henrique remain on the radar, suggesting the clubs are pivoting to alternative options. The piece reflects the fluid nature of the current transfer window, with clubs adjusting their shortlists after rejections.
Chance analysis
A rejected approach is rarely the end of a story in modern football — it simply reroutes the search. Leweling's decision to turn down both Roma and Everton narrows the field for both clubs, who will now need to redirect their recruitment focus. With Gittens and Luiz Henrique still described as live options, the picture suggests scouts are casting a wide net and prepared to pivot quickly when first choices fall through. For Roma in particular, operating in a competitive market where English clubs can offer Premier League wages, the challenge of landing top attacking targets remains acute.
Roma and Everton lose a potential attacking target in Leweling, reducing their near-term offensive reinforcement options.