Roma Searching for Goal Scorers

AS Roma has a new pre-season fixture confirmed for their summer preparation. French club Cannes will host the Giallorossi on Sunday, 26 July in an official pre-season friendly. Cannes announced the match through their official channels and website, with the fixture serving as an important test for Roma ahead of the new season. The friendly represents part of Roma's broader pre-season schedule as the club prepares for the upcoming campaign. The match will take place at Cannes' facilities and offers Gasperini's squad an opportunity to build match fitness and tactical understanding during the summer break. Such pre-season encounters are typically used to assess squad condition and test new tactical approaches before competitive play resumes. The fixture was officially confirmed by Cannes on 9 June 2026 through their social media and official website.

Roma have confirmed a pre-season friendly against Cannes on 26 July at home. Both clubs are owned by the Friedkin Group. The Giallorossi declined a proposed friendly at Newcastle's St James' Park but will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, a week before Serie A begins. Coach Gasperini's squad is taking shape ahead of the new campaign. In the transfer market, Roma continue to monitor Mason Greenwood's situation. The English forward will leave Marseille, and Fenerbahçe remain interested despite their recent election result. The club's new president, Aziz Yildirim, stated: "If Greenwood will be useful to us, we will take him. We will review the squad construction with our committee and make a decision." The Friedkin Group is also considering extending Roma's financial settlement agreement to manage fair play compliance. Additionally, Roma are following developments around Aseko and Favasuli in the market. Midfielder Robinio Vaz, born in 2007, may leave on loan, with Roma open to discussions. Details on other targets remain unclear at this stage.

AS Roma have declined a proposed summer friendly against Newcastle United at St James' Park, according to reports from England. The Magpies, managed by Eddie Howe, will need to find alternative opponents after receiving the rejection from the Giallorossi. Roma's decision to turn down the match reflects their choice to pursue other pre-season arrangements. Instead, Roma will prepare for the new season with a confirmed friendly against Borussia Dortmund on August 15, just one week before the Serie A campaign begins. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will use the fixture against the German top club to test his squad's readiness ahead of competitive action. The club has also scheduled a second summer friendly against Cannes, another team owned by the Friedkin Group, to be held in Rome. These pre-season arrangements allow Gasperini to assess his players' fitness and tactical preparation during the critical final stages of summer training. The Dortmund match in particular offers Roma a valuable test against elite opposition as they build toward the start of the domestic season.

Roma's incoming sporting director Tony D'Amico will need to reinforce the defence alongside the planned attacking overhaul, with the club facing potential squad gaps depending on Ndicka's future. Although the attack is the primary focus—built around Malen and Dybala with Pellegrini in support—the defence will require significant investment. The backline was Roma's strongest asset under Gasperini's management this season, forming the foundation for Champions League qualification, but numerical reinforcement is essential. With Kumbulla set to return, Ziolkowski departing for game time, and Ndicka's status uncertain due to Financial Fair Play concerns, Roma would be left with only four senior centre-backs (Hermoso, Mancini, Ghilardi, and possibly Ndicka) for a demanding season requiring at least two players per position. That would leave two additional defenders short. Several targets have been identified. Oosterwolde is viewed as a promising profile but carries a price tag of €20–25 million, becoming viable mainly if Ndicka departs. Bologna's Lucumì, available on an expiring contract, is another option at roughly €20 million—far lower than Bologna's initial €28 million demand. Solet represents an ideal profile but costs at least €25 million and Inter are already advanced in negotiations. Muharemovic is ready to leave Sassuolo, though domestic competition is driving up his price. Gasperini has been clear that Roma needs experienced, quality defenders—both a high-level starter and a reliable backup.

Wesley has suffered an adductor muscle injury and will miss international duty. Roma are exploring transfer options, with Paixao under consideration as a potential target. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal negotiations are reportedly in their final stages, with details remaining unclear on the exact timeline and terms. The injury to Wesley represents a blow to the squad's attacking depth during the international break.

Paulo Dybala's contract renewal with AS Roma is in its final stages, with negotiations described as substantially concluded and only formal details remaining before an official announcement. The Argentine forward has expressed his desire to continue at Roma, and the club shares his commitment to building the team around his talent. Both parties see Roma's recent qualification for the Champions League as an additional incentive to proceed together. Gasperini, the newly appointed head coach, is reportedly eager to begin work with certainty that Dybala will be available from the start of pre-season. Dybala is prepared to extend his stay for two additional seasons, a move viewed as significant for the club's present and future ambitions. The player aims to replicate his previous impact—delivering crucial assists and performances that helped restore Roma to European football's elite competition. According to reports from Matteo Moretto, the atmosphere surrounding negotiations remains positive with no obstacles on the horizon. Fans and the coaching staff await only the formal announcement to complete the process. The renewal represents continuity in Roma's midfield leadership at a pivotal moment for the club as it prepares for its Champions League campaign.

Roma's incoming sporting director Tony D'Amico will need to reinforce the defence alongside the planned attacking overhaul, with the club facing potential squad gaps depending on Ndicka's future. Although the attack is the primary focus—built around Malen and Dybala with Pellegrini in support—the defence will require significant investment. The backline was Roma's strongest asset under Gasperini's management this season, forming the foundation for Champions League qualification, but numerical reinforcement is essential. With Kumbulla set to return, Ziolkowski departing for game time, and Ndicka's status uncertain due to Financial Fair Play concerns, Roma would be left with only four senior centre-backs (Hermoso, Mancini, Ghilardi, and possibly Ndicka) for a demanding season requiring at least two players per position. That would leave two additional defenders short. Several targets have been identified. Oosterwolde is viewed as a promising profile but carries a price tag of €20–25 million, becoming viable mainly if Ndicka departs. Bologna's Lucumì, available on an expiring contract, is another option at roughly €20 million—far lower than Bologna's initial €28 million demand. Solet represents an ideal profile but costs at least €25 million and Inter are already advanced in negotiations. Muharemovic is ready to leave Sassuolo, though domestic competition is driving up his price. Gasperini has been clear that Roma needs experienced, quality defenders—both a high-level starter and a reliable backup.

Roma defenders Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini have been spotted vacationing together in Ibiza following the conclusion of the season. The pair are taking time to relax after a long campaign that culminated in Roma securing qualification for the Champions League. The break comes as several Roma players enjoy downtime before preparations begin for the new season ahead.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his expectations for Roma's upcoming season following the club's return to European football. Gasperini wants to avoid repeating previous mistakes in the transfer market by bringing in players suited to his tactical system. The coach is demanding at least 16 fit outfield players to compete across Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League, recognising that European football demands significant physical and mental resources. Several players have already departed or are expected to leave during the transfer window, including Ferguson, Tsimikas, El Shaarawy, Venturino, and Zaragoza, with Baldanzi and Ziolkowski also on their way out. To maintain squad depth and protect key performers from injury during a gruelling season, Gasperini has identified specific targets: a number 10 or attacking midfielder, a deputy to Gianluca Mancini, a striker, and both right and left-sided defenders. Names under consideration include Vlasic and Greenwood, though negotiations remain in early stages. The arrival of D'Amico as sporting director is pending official confirmation, after which the club is expected to accelerate its recruitment strategy. Gasperini's priority is ensuring the squad composition aligns with his playing philosophy, having identified this as the key lesson from the previous season's recruitment process.

Roma are monitoring Davide Frattesi as a potential midfield target, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini viewing him as a possible replacement should Koné depart. Frattesi, currently at Inter, is expected to leave the club this summer. He came through Roma's youth academy and previously came close to joining the club in 2023 before Inter secured him from Sassuolo. His contract at Inter runs until 2028, though his valuation has decreased in recent years — Inter previously sought €35 million but that asking price is no longer in play. There are currently no direct contacts between Roma and the player. Gasperini reportedly holds Frattesi in high regard and sees him as a suitable option if Roma lose Koné. The French midfielder is considered among the club's potential departures this summer. However, Roma's primary defensive focus remains on contract extensions rather than outgoings, with Gianluca Mancini close to securing a new deal through 2029 with an option until 2030. Mancini is central to Gasperini's plans and has no intention of leaving. No player swap involving Mancini is being considered. Gasperini has requested contract extensions for several key players including Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Celik as the squad is built around his trusted core for the upcoming season. Further developments regarding Frattesi's potential transfer are expected soon.

Bryan Cristante has established himself as one of AS Roma's key performers in the current campaign. The number 4 has been a regular fixture in the side and ranks among the leading players in Serie A for tackles completed, underlining his defensive importance to the team. Cristante's consistency at the heart of Roma's midfield has made him integral to Gian Piero Gasperini's setup. His work rate and ball-winning ability continue to be crucial assets as Roma pursue their objectives in Serie A this season.

Roma are planning major structural changes across multiple departments over the next two weeks, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini positioned as the central figure of the rebuild. Tony D'Amico is close to being confirmed as sporting director to replace Massara, with the appointment expected within one to two days. In parallel, Paulo Dybala's contract renewal is also nearing completion and could be finalized by the end of the week once owner Ryan Friedkin returns to Rome; negotiations on salary details are ongoing but both parties are aligned. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Zeki Celik are next in line for renewal talks, with Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante's extensions already secured. Behind the scenes, Roma are restructuring their youth academy and scouting operations. Alessandro Frara, currently leading Frosinone's youth department, and Valentino Angeloni, head of Fiorentina's academy, are the leading candidates for the youth academy role. Both have connections to Gasperini—Frara played under him in Juventus's youth ranks approximately 25 years ago, while Angeloni worked with him at Atalanta from 2016 to 2018. Michele Fratini is under consideration for the scouting director position; despite the exit of his former ally Massara, discussions have continued and a new meeting is planned. Roma also plan to appoint Riccardo Del Vescovo as health director; Del Vescovo previously worked with Gasperini at Bergamo and is a former Roma player. The club aims to complete these appointments and address necessary player departures before the World Cup begins in mid-June.