Bah out for season after ACL injury

Neil El Aynaoui is pushing hard to establish himself as a key figure in Gasperini's Roma midfield. After a mixed previous season that saw him instrumental in the club's late Champions League push, the midfielder returned from Morocco's World Cup campaign with a minor left knee problem but has integrated fully into group training. To accelerate his fitness, he completes additional solo running sessions around the club's training base, working under close supervision from Gasperini's staff. In a behind-closed-doors match two days ago, El Aynaoui scored twice—once with a header from a Cherubini cross and once from distance—as he competes for regular minutes. El Aynaoui arrived from Lens with a goalscoring reputation, having netted 8 goals in 24 matches. Since joining Roma he has managed only two goals—one in Serie A and one in the Europa League—a return that falls short of expectation. Aston Villa has enquired about him, but his future remains with the Giallorossi. Gasperini faces midfield injury problems: Bah has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, Pisilli is still unavailable, and Koné is expected back only on 10 August. Manchester United continue to pursue Koné without having made a concrete move, but El Aynaoui is determined to climb the hierarchy and carve out a leading role in Roma's midfield.

Roma's midfield contingency plans have unravelled during the early stages of pre-season. Niccolò Pisilli suffered a calf injury after only ten days of training at Trigoria and is unlikely to feature in the remaining friendly matches in Wales, while Bryan Cristante also picked up an injury in the opening test against Cardiff. With Manu Koné on extended leave following France's World Cup campaign until 18 July, and Neil El Aynaoui only recently returning after Morocco's quarter-final exit at the same tournament, Roma's midfielder options are severely depleted ahead of the new season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had entered the summer transfer window with a complete and balanced midfield — two senior players per role, plus academy prospects for rotation during pre-season — but injuries have forced a rethink. El Aynaoui's tournament performances have impressed; his Morocco squad reached the quarter-finals and he featured prominently, continuing the form that earned him inclusion in Africa Cup of Nations glory. During his first season in a Roma shirt, the continental competition had limited his early impact, but once his ambition period ended, the number 8 demonstrated strong technical ability, positioning, and defensive work that convinced Gasperini. With only Cristante and El Aynaoui available in midfield before Roma return to Italy, the Moroccan now has a golden opportunity to establish himself in the hierarchy as the 2026–27 campaign approaches.

Devyne Rensch has spoken of his emotional arrival at Roma, telling Romanews.eu from the club's Cardiff training camp: "It is a feeling difficult to explain. These are sensations you don't experience often but only in very special moments. When I signed for Roma it was a special moment for me and so the emotions came out. My mother was crying too and that is one of the reasons why that moment was so special." Midfielder Muhammed Bah suffered a serious setback during the same training spell, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after 26 minutes of the friendly against Cardiff City. The 2007-born player will undergo surgery in Switzerland with Dr Georg Ahlbäumer, with recovery estimated at approximately nine months. Bah had suffered the same injury once before in 2024. Elsewhere, Roma are accelerating their pursuit of right-back Givairo Read from Feyenoord as their primary target for the flank. The club has tabled an offer of €25 million and an agreement in principle has been reached with the player; further contact with Feyenoord is expected in the coming days to advance the deal. Winger Wesley withdrew from training after just ten minutes but Roma's medical staff reported no serious alarm, describing it as a minor issue to manage in the coming days. His early exit had been pre-arranged with the coaching team. Paulo Dybala was singled out as one of the few Roma players performing well in the Cardiff friendly loss.

Roma and Feyenoord remain locked in negotiations over the transfer of defender Givairo Read. Sporting director Tony D'Amico has raised Roma's bid to €25 million in fixed fees plus €3 million in bonuses, alongside a 10 per cent sell-on clause for future resales of the right-back. The Dutch club has rejected the proposal, leaving talks at an apparent standstill, though new contacts are expected in the coming days in a bid to reach a final agreement. Read himself has already signalled his intention to join Roma and has agreed a five-year contract worth €2.5 million per season. The signing would give coach Gian Piero Gasperini a fullback profile comparable to Wesley to complete Roma's flanks. Alternative targets, including Fresneda, remain secondary, while interest from Nottingham Forest is viewed as less of a threat, with the English club unlikely to drive up the price. Roma has indicated it will not increase its offer further at present, though the expectation is that a resolution could be reached within the coming days as both clubs seek to close the gap between their valuations.

Roma have increased their offer for Read to €25 million plus €3 million in bonuses and 10% of any future resale fee, but Feyenoord have rejected the proposal. The Dutch club's expectations remain unmet, and negotiations are currently at an impasse with Roma's sporting director unwilling to go further. However, further contact between the parties is expected in the coming days as both sides work towards an agreement. Read himself has made his position clear, accepting a move to Roma on a five-year contract worth €2.5 million per season. Roma are targeting a swift conclusion within the coming 48 hours. The club had also considered Fresneda as an alternative, but prefer a profile similar to Wesley to strengthen the flanks. Nottingham Forest remain in the background as a secondary option, though they appear reluctant to engage in an auction for the player.

Roma are pressing to complete the signing of right-back Givairo Read from Feyenoord, with director Tony D'Amico targeting a swift conclusion to unlock the deal for coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Feyenoord remain steadfast on their opening asking price of €30 million for the 2006-born defender, despite intensive negotiations in recent days. Roma have offered €29.5 million total—€25 million fixed plus €4.5 million in performance bonuses—but the Dutch club wants the full figure guaranteed or demands that the variable elements be easily achievable. The urgency stems partly from competition: Nottingham Forest are reportedly ready to launch a rival bid should Roma hesitate. Securing Read would provide Gasperini with a settled right-back option while allowing Wesley greater flexibility across the back line. The gap between Roma's current offer and Feyenoord's valuation narrows each component, yet remains the crux of the stalemate. A resolution is expected in the coming days as both sides work toward a breakthrough.

Neil El Aynaoui is pushing hard to establish himself as a key figure in Gasperini's Roma midfield. After a mixed previous season that saw him instrumental in the club's late Champions League push, the midfielder returned from Morocco's World Cup campaign with a minor left knee problem but has integrated fully into group training. To accelerate his fitness, he completes additional solo running sessions around the club's training base, working under close supervision from Gasperini's staff. In a behind-closed-doors match two days ago, El Aynaoui scored twice—once with a header from a Cherubini cross and once from distance—as he competes for regular minutes. El Aynaoui arrived from Lens with a goalscoring reputation, having netted 8 goals in 24 matches. Since joining Roma he has managed only two goals—one in Serie A and one in the Europa League—a return that falls short of expectation. Aston Villa has enquired about him, but his future remains with the Giallorossi. Gasperini faces midfield injury problems: Bah has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, Pisilli is still unavailable, and Koné is expected back only on 10 August. Manchester United continue to pursue Koné without having made a concrete move, but El Aynaoui is determined to climb the hierarchy and carve out a leading role in Roma's midfield.

Roma's midfield contingency plans have unravelled during the early stages of pre-season. Niccolò Pisilli suffered a calf injury after only ten days of training at Trigoria and is unlikely to feature in the remaining friendly matches in Wales, while Bryan Cristante also picked up an injury in the opening test against Cardiff. With Manu Koné on extended leave following France's World Cup campaign until 18 July, and Neil El Aynaoui only recently returning after Morocco's quarter-final exit at the same tournament, Roma's midfielder options are severely depleted ahead of the new season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had entered the summer transfer window with a complete and balanced midfield — two senior players per role, plus academy prospects for rotation during pre-season — but injuries have forced a rethink. El Aynaoui's tournament performances have impressed; his Morocco squad reached the quarter-finals and he featured prominently, continuing the form that earned him inclusion in Africa Cup of Nations glory. During his first season in a Roma shirt, the continental competition had limited his early impact, but once his ambition period ended, the number 8 demonstrated strong technical ability, positioning, and defensive work that convinced Gasperini. With only Cristante and El Aynaoui available in midfield before Roma return to Italy, the Moroccan now has a golden opportunity to establish himself in the hierarchy as the 2026–27 campaign approaches.

Roma play Newport County in a pre-season friendly tonight at Rodney Parade in Wales, kick-off 20:00 Italian time on DAZN. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will use the League Two fixture, just under three weeks before the start of Serie A, to assess his squad's condition and hand a debut to new signing Koulierakis. The match comes four days after Roma's 4–1 defeat to Cardiff City. Wesley is unlikely to feature after sustaining a minor ankle sprain in Saturday's friendly. El Aynaoui is available to return, while Pisilli remains sidelined and requires further days to recover fully from a soleus muscle injury. The friendly provides another opportunity for Gasperini to fine-tune preparations as Roma build towards their league campaign opener.