Claudio Ranieri, coach of AS Roma, addressed the possibility of Leandro Paredes returning to Boca Juniors during this transfer window and responded firmly to journalists' questions.

Ranieri's Response

"If Paredes wants to leave, I won't stop him," said the Italian manager in a press conference, referring to the rumors about the Argentine's future. "All the rumors I hear about Leandro come from you, not from him."

In another moment, Ranieri made it clear that he will not block any player's departure from Roma, adding, "If he doesn't want to stay, I won't stop anyone."

These comments have fueled hopes among Boca fans, who are excited about the prospect of the world champion midfielder returning to the club.

Paredes' Dilemma

The question now is whether Leandro Paredes will request an accelerated departure from AS Roma or wait until the next transfer window in June. Boca Juniors, who are eager for his return, have made a formal offer to the player and are now awaiting his response, as revealed by ESPN.

Paredes, who came up through Boca's youth system, has had several conversations with Juan Román Riquelme about a potential return, though he had previously seen it as something for the future. However, the timing seems to have moved up, and Boca is determined to bring him back this window.

After AS Roma's game on Thursday, where Paredes was a starter and captain, the player was asked about Boca's persistent interest. The experienced midfielder commented, "My future? I don't know... I live my life and career day by day. We'll see what happens."

Latest Updates on Paredes' Stance

According to ESPN, Boca offered Paredes a return to the club in December with one of the highest salaries on the team. However, at that time, the player intended to remain in Europe until the 2026 World Cup. Recently, however, the situation may have changed. Sources close to the player indicate that he might now be willing to return to Argentina, although they deny that he has received a formal offer from Boca.

The Clause in Paredes' Roma Contract

Leandro Paredes is currently a key player for AS Roma, a regular starter in recent times, with a substantial salary (impossible to match in Argentina) and five months remaining on his contract. While the player is free to negotiate with other clubs, his contract contains a clause that activates an automatic one-year extension if he plays 50% of the season's matches, which compels Boca to act quickly.

Boca's Offer to Paredes

Boca has offered Paredes a four-year contract, with a salary comparable to that of Edinson Cavani, making him one of the highest-paid players on the team. If the player accepts the offer, the next step would be negotiating with Roma, as the Argentine club would need to compensate the Italian team for the remaining five months of Paredes' contract.

With the offer on the table, it is now up to Paredes to decide whether he wants an immediate return to Boca, where he is expected to play in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, domestic tournaments, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

When does the transfer window close in Argentina?

The transfer window in Argentina closes on January 31, following several changes in dates decided by the Executive Committee of the Argentine Football Professional League.