Betis pursue Angeliño as Gasperini awaits him; Dovbyk interest also explored

Zeki Çelik has joined Juventus, forcing Roma to act quickly in the transfer market. Sporting director D'Amico is already compiling a shortlist of potential replacements for the right-back, with Molina of Atlético Madrid and Dodò of Fiorentina both under consideration. Molina, the Argentine full-back who previously attracted interest from coach Gasperini, remains valued at around 20 million euros. D'Amico is simultaneously pursuing moves for Moreira and Summerville, but Çelik's sudden departure to Juventus has created an urgent need to strengthen the right flank. Molina has indicated he does not wish to discuss his future until after the World Cup concludes. Dodò, currently at Fiorentina, is also an option as the Tuscan club look to move him on.

Fresh details have emerged about Zeki Çelik's move to Juventus, revealing Roma was blindsided by the transfer. The Turkish right-back was scheduled to sign his contract renewal with Roma on Friday and attend the club's weekend training camp. Roma had already purchased his return flight to Fiumicino and prepared the documentation, but Çelik never countersigned his portion of the contract. Instead, he travelled to Turin for a medical examination and joined Juventus. According to Fabrizio Romano, Roma had already signed their section of the renewal agreement while remaining unaware of Çelik's intentions to leave. Sporting director Massara seized the opportunity to move quickly once the situation became clear. The manoeuvre left Gian Piero Gasperini without a key defender as the squad prepared for the new season.

Zeki Çelik has left AS Roma to join Juventus on a free transfer, ending four seasons at the Giallorossi. The Turkish full-back underwent medical tests at Juventus's J Medical facility in Turin and signed a contract binding him to the Bianconeri until 30 June 2029. Çelik was expected to return to Roma's Trigoria training ground in the coming days to resume pre-season work, but instead opted to depart after an initial verbal agreement with Roma over a contract renewal fell through. Çelik made 115 appearances and scored 2 goals during his time in the capital. His departure represents a significant loss to Roma's squad depth at right-back, a position now requiring reinforcement. The move reunites him with Ricky Massara, who recently left his role as Roma's sporting director to become Chief Football Officer at Juventus. Juventus confirmed the signing in an official statement, detailing that Çelik's deal runs through the 2028–29 season.

Roma's 2026–27 season got underway at the Trigoria training ground as players arrived for pre-season, drawing around 100 supporters to Piazzale Dino Viola on a hot summer day with temperatures reaching 34 degrees in the afternoon. The first arrivals included Ghilardi, Angeliño, and Soulé, with supporters greeting the squad enthusiastically throughout the morning. Coach Gasperini arrived without signing autographs or posing for photos but opened his car window to acknowledge the fans. Pisilli drew particular acclaim from the gathering, while Wesley, described as one of the squad's brightest stars, spent time engaging with the crowd despite the heavy gathering around his vehicle. Other squad members including Gollini, Mancini, Dovbyk, Svilar, Hermoso, Vaz, Rensch, Ziółkowski, and Cristante all passed through during the session. Some players, including Dybala, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano, arrived discreetly. One supporter praised Dybala's commitment, saying: "He gave proof of a great gesture of love towards the city and fans, accepting the salary reduction." The atmosphere captured the renewed optimism surrounding the club as preparation for the new campaign began.

Roma started serious preparation for the 2026–27 season on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming a 17-man squad for initial training at Trigoria. Paulo Dybala featured in the group and marked his contract renewal with a short interview on Roma's official channels. Wesley returned to training immediately following the injury that forced him to miss the World Cup, training alongside teammates in the new kit that showcases the restored classic crest. Gasperini was accompanied by sporting director Tony D'Amico. The initial squad includes four goalkeepers—Svilar, Gollini, De Marzi, and Vasquez—and seven defenders: Angeliño, Ghilardi, Hermoso, Mancini, Rensch, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Çelik will join on 18 August after completing his holiday following his contract renewal, while N'Dicka is due to arrive on 22 August. Only Pisilli and Cristante are currently available in midfield, with El Aynaoui expected on 30 August and Koné's arrival date to be confirmed pending the end of the World Cup. The attacking line features Dybala, Dovbyk, Soulé, and Vaz, with Dybala the only forward certain to remain at the club long-term. The squad is staying overnight at Fulvio Bernardini training centre and will undergo a double session today—training at 08:00 and 18:00. Roma have also opened ticket sales for their first official pre-season match at Cannes on 26 July at Pierre de Coubertin stadium, with visiting supporters' tickets priced at €15 each through AS Cannes' official website.

Roma's 2026–27 season began this morning at Trigoria with players returning to the training ground. Paulo Dybala has been included in head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad for the pre-season gathering, following the announcement of his contract renewal. Gasperini, now in his second year as Roma coach, named 18 players in his initial squad list: Angeliño, Cristante, De Marzi, Dovbyk, Dybala, Ghilardi, Gollini, Hermoso, Mancini, Pisilli, Rensch, Soulé, Svilar, Vasquez, Vaz, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Additional players awaiting moves—Cherubini, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano—will join the group, with returning World Cup participants to follow. The first training session took place today at 18:00, with a double session scheduled for tomorrow comprising sessions at 08:00 and 18:00. The squad will remain at Trigoria for accommodation over both days.

Roma are accelerating their transfer activity under head coach Gasperini and ownership, working to close multiple deals swiftly. The club has already moved to block Tresoldi ahead of interest from Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, with negotiations with Bruges advancing. The operation is separate from the expected departure of Artem Dovbyk, though both require rapid progress in talks. Director of football Tony D'Amico is pursuing several parallel targets. For Crysencio Summerville, the main barrier remains his wage demands, which Roma consider unsustainably high and a threat to squad harmony. In the case of Diego Moreira, personal terms have been agreed with the player, but Roma and Strasbourg remain far apart on the transfer fee, with the French club holding firm on its valuation. The club is also keeping alive interest in Endrick as a longer-term prospect. No official signings have been confirmed in the first half of July, but the hierarchy is determined to avoid dragging negotiations into a prolonged deadlock or inviting rival clubs to muscle in on targets. All three priority acquisitions—Tresoldi, Summerville, and Moreira—are being pursued with a view to closing them rapidly.

Roma continue negotiations for Summerville, the Dutch winger currently their top target for the attack, although a significant gap remains between the club's valuation and both West Ham's asking price and the player's wage demands. Talks with Summerville's representatives are ongoing, with Roma having defined the financial parameters of what they can offer. Clarity on the situation is expected in the coming days, particularly once Summerville returns to West Ham's disposal on 22 July. With Summerville's acquisition uncertain, Roma have identified alternatives. Nusa, a Norwegian left winger who plays on his right foot, has emerged as a potential option, though securing him from RB Leipzig would prove difficult. The 1.83cm-tall forward—quick yet structurally powerful—was previously coveted by former managers De Rossi and Ranieri, as well as current coach Gasperini. Roma have reached an agreement with Nusa's representatives worth 3.5 million euros plus bonuses, but negotiations with Leipzig remain ongoing; the German club's valuation sits around 45 million euros. Garnacho presents another possibility but only on a loan deal with a right to buy, whereas Chelsea currently demand an obligation to purchase. Beyond widemen, Roma are also hunting a striker to rotate with their existing options. Tresoldi of Bruges has been identified as the ideal fit, with the club working to secure the agreement once Dovbyk's departure is finalised.

Roma have secured an agreement with Tresoldi and moved to complete the deal quickly, having blocked the player to prevent Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund from signing him. The move is separate from Artem Dovbyk's ongoing departure. Gasperini continues to meet with owner Ryan Friedkin and director D'Amico to push through the club's transfer strategy, with the board working around the clock to support the coach's requests. The Roma hierarchy remains firm on wage structure, refusing to breach their salary ceiling to avoid destabilising the dressing room. Summerville remains a target but wants €6 million annually, creating a sticking point as Roma hold the line on wages. In contrast, an agreement framework has been reached with Moreira, the Belgian winger from Strasbourg, on a contract worth €2 million plus bonuses per season. However, Strasbourg's asking price of €40 million exceeds Roma's threshold; the club wants to stay at €30 million and include either a 10% or 20% sell-on clause. Roma face pressure to move fast with Bruges over Tresoldi after missing out on previous targets—Mason Greenwood joined Fenerbahçe yesterday, while Jadon Sancho's move fell through. The club remains interested in Endrick as an additional option.