Mauro Pederzoli, (63), the new sports director from Rapidhe spoke exclusively with the Sports Gazette about the transfer strategy and the situation of the team players for season 2025/2026.
Rapid does not intend to make major changes in the next period. Although Costel Gâlcă mentioned that the team in particular needs a midfielder and an attacker, there is no concrete movement in this direction.
About Andrei Borza, the player who had the highest chances of leaving the white-river band this summer, Pederzoli said that there was no clear offer for him at this time.
As for Christos Papadopoulos, the Middle of Genoa in evidence at Rapid, a decision will be made in the next period, and in the case of the young Raul Stanciu, a loan is taken into account to allow you to play more.
VIDEO. Mauro Pederzoli, about the transfer strategy of the Rapid: “The most important thing is to sign the right player!”
– Mr. Pederzoli, how many new players does he need quickly now?
– I think we have a good team and the first matches showed everyone that we are a competitive team, then we can certainly improve, the market is open. We look at the market but It is not a priority to sign a new player, if we find someone able to improve our team, OK, if not, again we are a good team and we can compete with this team.
– Costel Gâlcă stressed that Rapid needs a midfielder and an attacker …
“Yes, ok, again we look on the market and if there is the opportunity to improve, we will be ready to go to work, but again, At this moment, no news about it.
– Why does it take so long to bring new players?
– It's not about speed when we talk about transfers, but to find the right player and, at this moment, we are competitive, we have a good team, so if we can improve, if we find the right player, ok, time, it is normal, but The most important thing is to sign the right player, not to sign someone just to sign.
– Is it true that there was an interest in Andrei Borza from Ajax?
“No, I don't know, at this moment Borza is the player of the Rapid, he plays every match. We are very happy with him, I have not received any official offer for him.
– Is there another player for sale, besides Borza, this season?
– Rapid does not have players for sale, Rapid has many good players about which other teams in Europe are certainly interested, this is the situation, so again, if we receive an interesting offer for our players, we are ready to evaluate it, but here is no one for sale.
– What is the situation of Alex Dobre's contract? It was rumored to be able to leave Rapid …
– These rumors are incredible, because I never talk about my player's contract, because I don't think it's a public argument. Alex Dobre said in the press conference that he is the player of the Rapid and is happy here, so we are very happy with him, I have no doubt about Dobre, his love for the shirt, for these people. I can't say if he is the most important player for Rapid right now. He is a good player, a very important player, but the most important is the Rapid Club.
– What can you tell us about Christos Papadopoulos, the midfielder from Genoa, in evidence at Rapid?
– Christ is training with us, Genoa is the brother's club, so we are happy to have it here for a period, then we will make a decision.
– Will Raul Stanciu have a chance to receive minutes at Rapid or will he be borrowed?
– Raul is a very interesting project for us. I signed him from Lecce because we are convinced that in the future he will be an important player for Rapid. Now is the time to make the right decision for its development, and in the coming days we will decide if we borrow it, but I think it is probably the best decision, because at his age he needs to play, And then to return to Rapid to become an important player, because I am really convinced of his quality.
– What happens to Diogo Mendes, who is still injured, what are the plans about him?
– Diogo is injured, goes through a difficult time, but is with us every day and is preparing. I hope we have good news as soon as possible, because it is worth more luck. Currently the priority is to regain its optimal physical form, and then we will see what we will do.
