Roma close in on Koulierakis from Wolfsburg, Salah-Eddine heads to Olympiacos
Quick summary
Roma are nearing a deal for Wolfsburg defender Koulierakis, while left-back Salah-Eddine is set to join Olympiacos.
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Attributed to original sourceMultiple reports confirm Roma are in negotiations for Wolfsburg defender Konstantinos Koulierakis, who was also linked with Crystal Palace, while Anass Salah-Eddine is close to Olympiacos.
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY – JANUARY 24: Konstantinos Koulierakis of Wolfsburg in action during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and Holstein Kiel at Volkswagen Arena on January 24, 2025 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) According to Teleradiostereo , Fabrizio Romano and Alfredo Pedullà, the talks are in progress between the two clubs, and the player eager to make the move to the Stadio Olimpico.
The centre-back is 22 years old and already has 22 senior caps for Greece under his belt.
Crystal Palace had shown interest this summer, while Inter were linked last year.
Koulierakis eager for Roma transfer WOLFSBURG, GERMANY – MAY 21: Konstantinos Koulierakis of Wolfsburg reacts during the Bundesliga Playoff Leg One match between VfL Wolfsburg an SC Paderborn at Volkswagen Arena on May 21, 2026 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images) A product of the PAOK Salonika youth academy, he was sold to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2024 for €11.75m.
His value has since climbed considerably, with Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà suggesting the asking price is €20m.
However, that can be whittled down with the inclusion of add-ons and performance-related bonuses.
According to Teleradiostereo, Koulierakis would be considered an understudy to Mario Hermoso in the Roma defence, and not a first choice.
Some of the funds can be raised by the sale of Morocco international Salah-Eddine to Olympiacos for circa €8m.
The full-back was bought from FC Twente for €8.5m in February 2025, then had a loan at PSV Eindhoven last season.
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What happened
Roma are reportedly close to completing a move for Wolfsburg centre-back Koulierakis as they look to strengthen their defensive options. In a separate outgoing move, left-back Salah-Eddine is on the verge of joining Greek side Olympiacos. The double movement suggests Roma are reshaping their squad with new additions and trimming depth in certain positions ahead of the new season.
Chance analysis
This is a squad-reshaping story for Roma, addressing defensive depth. Bringing in a young centre-back from the Bundesliga while offloading a fringe left-back to Olympiacos indicates a targeted recruitment approach. For match prediction purposes, the impact is moderate — Koulierakis could compete for minutes, while Salah-Eddine's departure frees a squad spot and possibly a wage slot.
Roma's defensive options improve with a potential Koulierakis addition, while losing a backup left-back to Olympiacos; net effect on first-team performance likely neutral in the short term.
Monitor Roma's defensive depth charts; a new CB signing could shift rotation patterns but is unlikely to immediately change first-choice XI.