The future of Marash Kumbulla remains one of the issues that is expected to be resolved in the coming weeks in the summer transfer market. The defender of the Albanian national team has returned to Roma after a loan at Mallorca, while for days his name has been linked with a possible transfer to Torino, which continues to monitor him closely. However, for the moment the 25-year-old's priority is to start preparations with the yellow and red team and talk to coach Gian Piero Gasperini to understand if there will be space in the new technical project.
Kumbulla has been normally collected by Gasperini for the preparatory phase in Trigoria, although he is considered one of the players who could leave during this transfer window. After two seasons in Spain, first with Espanyol and then with Mallorca, the Albanian defender has returned to the Italian capital, while Roma and the player's representatives will make a final decision only after an assessment of the situation.
Torino remains one of the clubs most interested in his services, but the possibility of Kumbulla continuing his career in Serie A or returning to La Liga is not ruled out. In an interview given to "Corriere dello Sport", the Albanian defender spoke about the future, his experience in Spain, his relationship with Mourinho, as well as the possibility of working with Gasperini, admitting that he would like to work.
FUTURE- "I don't know yet what will happen. Now I'm at Roma and I'll see if I have the opportunity to play my cards. If not, then together with the club we will look for a solution that is good for both parties," said Kumbulla. The defender stressed that he would have no problem continuing at Roma, but in case of leaving he wants to find a team where he can build something long-term.
"If I stay at Roma, it's very good for me, because I've never had any problems with the club. If I leave, I hope to find a team where I can stay for a few years, a club with a clear project. I think Serie A and La Liga are the most suitable championships for me.
The experience outside of Italy has helped me grow a lot as a footballer and as a person. It is an experience that I would recommend to any player", continued the red and black defender. Kumbulla also spoke about returning to Trigoria and the opportunity to convince the new coach, Gian Piero Gasperini. According to him, the Italian coach's style of play can highlight his qualities, as he previously worked with Ivan Juric at Verona, a coach with similar ideas. "I think I have characteristics that fit Gasperini's way of playing. At Verona I worked with Juric, who has a lot of similarities with him. Of course I like the idea of working with him, because he is one of the best coaches in Italy and in Europe. But first we need to talk and understand the club's plans", said Kumbulla.
JOSE MURINO- Part of the interview was also dedicated to the experience with Jose Mourinho, the coach with whom he won the Conference League in 2022. Kumbulla did not hide his emotions when remembering the Tirana final. "Mourinho is a coach for clubs like Real Madrid. If our paths were to cross again, it would be a pleasure. Thanks to him I experienced one of the most beautiful nights of my life. I often think back to the Tirana final, to Roma, the trophy, the fans and the fact that everything happened in my country," he added.
LA LIGA- Finally, the Albanian defender also focused on his experience in La Liga, where he had the opportunity to face some of the strongest strikers in the world. "Apart from Kylian Mbappe, who is the easiest choice, I would single out Aleksandër Sorloth. He was one of the most difficult opponents I have faced," he said, among other things.
For now, Kumbulla will continue to train with Roma during the pre-season, while his future is expected to be clarified in the coming weeks. Torino remains awaiting developments, but the final decision will only be made after the Albanian defender holds talks with the club's management and coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
