Bologna-Roma: Match Officials Review, El Aynaoui Suspended for Fiorentina Clash

AS Roma have officially confirmed a pre-season friendly against Newport County on 4 August at Rodney Parade stadium in Wales, with kickoff at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italy time). The match is managed by former Leicester manager Fuchs and represents Roma's second test in the United Kingdom during their summer schedule. Information for visiting supporters' tickets will be communicated in the coming days. The Newport County fixture slots into Roma's busy pre-season calendar as they prepare for the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina. The friendly comes after an earlier match against Cardiff on 1 August, followed by another game at Brighton on 8 August. After these English fixtures, Roma will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August in their final warm-up before domestic competition resumes. These matches form part of the club's preparations under their summer training camp, with player fitness and tactical development a priority ahead of the new season.

Roma midfielder Manu Koné started for France in their Round of 16 World Cup match against Paraguay, replacing the injured Aurélien Tchouameni. Despite the absence of Real Madrid's midfielder, French media and supporters have praised Koné's solid display. France won 1–0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty, advancing to the quarter-finals while demonstrating resilience against a compact defensive opponent. Koné earned widespread acclaim for his performance across both defensive and attacking phases. Journalist Olivier Bossard of L'Équipe stated: "I am not concerned about Tchouameni's absence. I think Koné will be very good and hold firm. We are not losing quality—in fact, we may even improve with him, because we gain attacking options without losing anything in defence." The Roma midfielder recorded 88 touches, tied for the match high, and attempted three long-range shots while making continuous defensive interventions. RMC Sport named him man of the match, though some outlets such as Le Figaro highlighted technical errors in the first half. Deschamps' assistant Guy Stéphan described Koné as "a different type of player, one with quality and a different profile," emphasizing his ball recovery abilities and distribution. Koné was cautioned late in the match but demonstrated the work rate and versatility that satisfied French staff and supporters alike.

France advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay, secured by a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé. The South American side proved a tough and physical opponent, but France maintained composure and achieved their objective. Midfielder Manu Koné was among those praised for his performance in a demanding match. Koné, who currently plays for AS Roma, delivered a composed display in midfield against Paraguay's aggressive approach. He spoke about the nature of the contest after the match, noting the physicality on display and the tactical awareness required to navigate it without being drawn into unnecessary confrontation. The midfielder highlighted France's preparation and intelligence in handling the situation. In his post-match comments to beIN Sports, Koné reflected: "It was a very hard match, but we are happy. Today we adapted. They were a rather... physical team! We choose our words carefully (smiles). We managed to stand up to our opponents in the challenges, we won 1–0, we were effective. There were some excessive interventions, but we didn't fall into their trap. The coach had warned us during the week. We were intelligent, we just wanted to win." France's disciplined approach proved decisive in securing progression to the next stage.

Ed Shipley, a senior aide to the Friedkin Group, is expected to arrive at Roma's Trigoria training ground in the coming days. His arrival comes as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini prepares for the squad's July 13 gathering and seeks reinforcements before the start of the season. Roma is ready to submit an initial offer to Marseille for Mason Greenwood worth €40 million plus bonuses, though the proposal falls roughly €10 million short of the French club's asking price. The club has reportedly reached personal terms with the English winger but faces pressure to move quickly to prevent rival interest. Gasperini's transfer wishlist extends beyond Greenwood. The coach has also identified targets including another wide attacker, a wide midfielder, a backup to Hermoso in defence, and an additional midfielder. The overhaul reflects broader changes at the club; Bruno Conti has departed, prompting Roma to restructure its youth academy setup. The coming weeks will be critical as Roma aims to strengthen its squad and prepare for the new campaign under Gasperini's direction.

AS Roma has reached an agreement with English winger Mason Greenwood and is preparing to submit a formal bid to Olympique Marseille. The initial offer of €40 million plus bonuses is ready, though Marseille is seeking €50 million plus add-ons. Roma has offered Greenwood a contract worth just under €5 million per season. The bid will be submitted after 30 June to signal to UEFA that the club has focused on resolving profit-and-loss issues during the month. Head coach Gasperini hopes to have Greenwood in place by 13 July, with the player keen to move and compete in the Champions League. Gasperini identified Greenwood as key to raising the team's level and winning immediately. The coach and Greenwood's father, who acts as his agent, held discussions approximately a month ago. The Friedkin Group ownership will now engage directly with Marseille owner McCourt, also American, to negotiate the transfer. Greenwood's arrival would represent a significant investment in attacking reinforcements as Roma seeks to strengthen its squad for the coming season. Elsewhere in the market, Roma continues to pursue other targets. Alternative wingers Tel and Sauer remain under consideration after Summerville fell through. On the flanks, full-back Dodô has not gained traction, and while Molina interests the club, Gasperini prefers a younger profile in that position—the Argentine is 28 years old. Defensive recruitment also continues, with Roma seeking a backup for Hermoso and potentially exploring Ostigard only if Ndicka departs.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has outlined his transfer strategy for Roma's defence, prioritizing continuity over upheaval. The club finished the season with the second-best defence in Serie A, conceding just 31 goals. Gasperini intends to keep the core three—Gianluca Mancini, Hermoso, and Ndicka—as the foundation for next season's Champions League campaign. No departures of starting defenders are planned; instead, Roma will pursue targeted additions to strengthen depth and competition. Among the profiles under consideration are Ostigard from Genoa and Disasi from Chelsea. Ostigard, a Norwegian defender known for aerial prowess and physical dominance, is valued at approximately 8 million euros and appeals to Gasperini's tactical preferences. Disasi represents a more costly option; Chelsea is seeking 25 million euros, but Roma are exploring a loan arrangement. Young centre-back Ghilardi, who developed significantly during the season, is expected to remain and potentially become a key rotation option for European fixtures. Ziolkowski, conversely, remains available for transfer as a potential source of profit. Gasperini has consistently emphasized a measured reconstruction: strategic investments without excessive spending, signing players suited to his football philosophy and ready to compete. The coach aims to avoid complacency following third-place finish while building from defensive stability—a proven foundation in Serie A title races. Roma's return to the Champions League after seven years places added emphasis on tactical preparation and depth.

Roma are actively reshaping their full-back options ahead of the 2026–27 season. The club is pursuing Diego Moreira, a 21-year-old left winger from Strasbourg who is currently at the World Cup with Belgium and also holds a Portuguese passport. Strasbourg have set an asking price of around €40 million, which Roma consider too high. The club is exploring an alternative structure—a loan deal with a €25 million purchase option—that could make the move feasible. Wesley remains untouchable in the full-back ranks, while Celik's contract renewal is described as near completion. Salah-Eddine is expected to depart, and the futures of Rensch and Angeliño remain uncertain. Roma are also monitoring alternatives including Molina from Atlético Madrid (valued at €15–18 million), with Ruggieri and Dodó from Fiorentina considered less likely targets. On the left flank, Angeliño has attracted interest from Real Betis Sevilla, though the Spanish club is proposing only a loan arrangement. Roma have valued Angeliño at €10 million and are unwilling to discount him, particularly with the June 30 transfer deadline approaching. Angeliño, recovering from a serious injury that limited his involvement last season, is keen to remain at Roma and prove himself to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during pre-season training, which begins on 13 July.

Roma is reshaping its fullback options this summer. Angeliño, a 1997-born left-back, is reportedly a target for Deportivo La Coruña, the Spanish club where he developed and recently returned to Liga. However, Angeliño's priority is to prove his value to Gasperini at Roma after missing most of last season through a serious, prolonged injury that affected his fitness and availability. With Wesley established on the left and Tsimikas returning to Liverpool, Angeliño's future remains uncertain as he seeks to regain his place in the squad. On the right flank, Roma's interest in Dodò has reportedly strengthened. The Brazilian fullback, 27, plays for Fiorentina under a contract running until 2027 but desires Champions League football. Napoli has also pursued him, though the club may step back from the competition soon. Rensch's status at Roma is described as uncertain, while Celik moves closer to a contract extension. Roma's fullback reshuffling reflects the need for greater depth and injury resilience across both flanks after a disrupted campaign.

Roma's pursuit of Mason Greenwood has hit a significant obstacle. Hakan Safi, a candidate for the Fenerbahce presidency, has moved directly to secure the English winger and announced an agreement for a four-year contract. Gasperini remains keen on Greenwood as a key target to strengthen the squad, but Roma must now navigate intense competition from the Turkish club to complete any deal. With the Greenwood situation unfolding, Roma's recruitment strategy has expanded to address other areas. Gasperini is conducting a wide search for a left-winger, with Summerville topping the wish list, though that acquisition would prove difficult. Alternative targets include Tzolis of Club Brugge, Igor Paixao of Marseille, Mathys Tel, and Mika Godts. Players including Nusa and Alajbegovic have been ruled out. On the right flank, Gasperini is seeking reinforcement, specifically a left-footed winger, with Wesley expected to remain on the left next season. Celik is viewed as a defensive back option despite potential contract renewal, while Rensch will serve as a backup. The transfer window remains active as Roma adjusts its targets amid external competition. The Serie A 2026–27 fixture calendar has also been released, with no major surprises for the club's scheduling.

Roma are preparing to formally submit an offer for Mason Greenwood this week. Head coach Gasperini has held direct talks with the Marseille winger, discussing his tactical demands. When asked by Gasperini, "Are you ready to run?", Greenwood reportedly responded positively in Italian: "Yes I'm ready, I'll come to score many goals." Greenwood's father, who acts as his agent, was present during the conversation. The player has signalled his willingness to wait for Roma's official proposal. Gasperini is also monitoring other targets. Nicolò Tresoldi of Bruges has agreed in principle to join Roma; the move could be structured as a loan with a purchase option, though Dovbyk's departure would need to be finalized first. Meanwhile, Rafa Leão has been offered to Roma. The Milan winger, who has confirmed his desire to leave after seven seasons, could arrive on loan with a high buyout clause attached. In midfield, if either Koné or El Aynaoui depart for the Premier League, Roma are considering Timber of Marseille as a replacement option. Roma's new kit is already selling outside Italy ahead of the official launch.

Manchester United has expressed strong interest in signing Roma midfielder El Aynaoui, according to recent reports. The English club has made contact with Roma's management, but the Italian club has signalled that €30 million may not be enough to secure the player's departure. Roma views El Aynaoui as a key asset and has no intention of offering a discount on any transfer fee. El Aynaoui's market value has risen considerably following his impressive performances at the World Cup with Morocco, where he became a regular starter from the opening match. Beyond Manchester United, other European clubs including Barcelona, Everton, and Liverpool have also shown interest. Roma's position is firm: the club does not wish to sell the midfielder after just one season, viewing him as an integral part of their project moving forward. El Aynaoui himself is keen to demonstrate his abilities in his second year under the guidance of head coach Gasperini, having established himself as a cornerstone of Roma's midfield. The player's World Cup success and Roma's reluctance to part with him have combined to strengthen his negotiating position, putting pressure on interested suitors to match the club's valuation if they wish to proceed.

Neil El Aynaoui continues to draw interest from major European clubs following a strong World Cup performance. Roma has responded by taking a firm stance to protect the player amid widespread transfer speculation. The defender's form at international level has made him a target for several top European sides. Details remain unclear regarding the specific clubs involved or the exact nature of Roma's resistance to potential offers.