Gasperini Charts Roma's Future Around Soulé and Malen

Artem Dovbyk finds himself in a precarious position at Roma heading into the summer transfer window. The Ukrainian striker does not fit into head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical plans, having been criticized by the manager during pre-season. Gasperini remarked on timing and rhythm: "In football as in music you must keep time." A difficult 2024–25 season — marked by just three Serie A goals and a lengthy injury absence from January through May — has weakened Dovbyk's standing further. Roma's objective is to sell Dovbyk to create space in the forward line and pursue alternative targets. The club has discussed alternatives including players like Scamacca, though acquisition remains unlikely, with Greenwood emerging as the primary priority. Several clubs have begun making enquiries. Spanish sides Villarreal and Real Betis have asked for information, with Betis reportedly seeking attacking reinforcements for their Champions League campaign. Roma ideally wants a permanent sale for at least €25 million to register a profit, though the club is now open to loan arrangements with a buyout clause — a shift from last summer's stance. Dovbyk's representatives have been notified of his availability, and Roma's transfer department is actively working to facilitate a departure. Various offers are expected to arrive in the coming weeks as clubs move on the opportunity to sign the striker.

Matías Soulé has emerged as Roma's primary candidate for a summer exit as the club looks to generate funds and reshape its attacking line. Beyond Borussia Dortmund, several Arab clubs have also made inquiries about the Argentine winger, though Soulé's preference remains to stay in Europe. Aston Villa conducted exploratory discussions but has not submitted a formal offer. Soulé carries a book value of approximately €20 million on Roma's balance sheet. To register a significant profit, the club needs to secure at least €35 million from any sale. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly considering Roma's pursuit of players including Greenwood and Pulisic as part of a broader attacking reformation, which could leave Soulé outside the new project. The former Juventus player is currently on holiday in Argentina and has begun preparing for the upcoming season alongside his personal trainer. Roma remains at Trigoria awaiting concrete offers for Soulé. His eventual departure would represent a shift in his standing at the club, where he was previously considered a core player but now faces an uncertain future in the capital.

Matías Soulé's future at AS Roma continues to be a subject of discussion. After a season in which he established himself in the squad, details of the potential move and interested clubs remain unclear from the available information.

AS Roma midfielder Wesley will miss Brazil's opening match at the 2026 World Cup against Morocco, which takes place at midnight at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Wesley, who was travelling towards a starting-place selection, is sidelined from Brazil's Group C opener under former Roma coach Carlo Ancelotti. The match will be broadcast on RAI and DAZN. Other Roma players are set to feature in the tournament's opening fixtures. Turkish defender Celik takes the field on Sunday morning at 6 a.m. as part of Montella's Turkey squad against Australia in Group D. Netherlands winger Malen will debut Sunday evening at 10 p.m. against Japan. Additional Roma-connected players include Costa d'Avorio's Ndicka, who opens Monday night against Ecuador, and France's Koné, scheduled for Tuesday evening against Senegal. Wesley received a warm reception from Roma fans at Fiumicino airport ahead of his World Cup departure, with supporters chanting 'Forza Roma!' The tournament represents the first World Cup featuring Roma players at the 2026 edition. Brazil's squad will be without one of their key midfield options as they begin their campaign in Group C.

A Roma figure identified as Faccini has stated that goalkeeper Mile Svilar, midfielder Konè, and winger Donyell Malen are not for sale in the transfer market. Faccini, who grew up in Roma's youth academy and scored the first goal of the club's historic 1982–83 Serie A title-winning season, made the declaration regarding the club's transfer strategy. The statement signals Roma's intent to retain key players during the upcoming market window, reinforcing their commitment to building around this core group under current management.

Head coach Gasperini has identified Mason Greenwood and Christian Pulisic as key targets to strengthen Roma's attacking lineup for the upcoming season. A potential Roma front four could feature Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Pulisic, and Greenwood, though bringing both players to the club remains challenging at this stage. Greenwood, currently at Marseille, is Gasperini's primary objective, while Pulisic is also a direct request from the coach. Negotiations with the French club are expected to be complex. What particularly attracts Gasperini to both players is a shared technical characteristic: both are genuinely two-footed. They perform with equal ability using either foot regardless of their position on the pitch, a quality that translates to increased match-day danger and unpredictability. This ambidexterity is relatively rare among elite footballers. Gasperini views both as international-level profiles ready for a Champions League campaign and capable of delivering quality, goals, and the kind of performances that energize supporters. Current constraints limit Roma's immediate pursuit of both targets. The club must balance Financial Fair Play requirements, with a €60 million net spend target by June 30, though qualifying for the Champions League has strengthened Roma's negotiating position. Dybala is expected to renew his contract, while Malen remains a confirmed fixture in the squad.

Irish striker Evan Ferguson has left AS Roma after a single season at the club. The 2004-born forward made 22 appearances and scored five goals in the Giallorossi shirt but was unable to establish himself, hampered by multiple injuries during his time in Serie A. Ferguson's departure marks the end of a difficult spell in Rome. Despite showing promise, recurring fitness issues prevented him from making a sustained impact at the club. His exit represents another chapter in Roma's ongoing squad evolution under current management. Ferguson addressed the Roma fanbase in a statement: "No one wants their time to be interrupted, but injuries are part of the game. Thank you to everyone at Roma and the fans for the support in recent months. I wish my teammates and everyone at the club the best for the future. Forza Roma ❤️💛." The forward departs with respect for the club and its supporters despite the injury-plagued campaign.

Several transfer developments are emerging around Roma's squad. Artem Dovbyk is drawing attention from clubs abroad, while Roma are competing with Juventus to pursue Diaz. Additionally, the club is preparing a survey to gather fan feedback on stadium matters. In other news, Greenwood is preparing to leave Marseille, and Ferguson has departed Roma. Fiorentina are reportedly interested in Filippo Romano, with an offer of €3 million being prepared.

Roma's transfer window continues to develop on multiple fronts. D'Amico's status remains unresolved as the club awaits clarity on his position. Dovbyk has attracted market movement, with activity intensifying around the striker's future. Ferguson has departed Roma, marking another change in the squad setup. The developments reflect ongoing reshaping of the playing group as the transfer window progresses.

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.

AS Roma has five days to prepare for a crucial Champions League qualification match against Hellas Verona on Sunday at 20:45. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is working to get midfielder Manu Koné fit in time after the French player completed individual field work during training on Tuesday. Koné is considered the injury concern with the best chance of returning for the Verona fixture. However, Gasperini will definitely be without Wesley, who is suspended following a red card in the derby, and Ndicka, who is unavailable for at least a month due to injury. Pellegrini, Venturino, and Zaragoza remain absent from group training and their participation in the away trip to Verona is very unlikely. The injuries have depleted Roma's options as the team pursues the points needed to secure European football next season. Koné's personal training regimen suggests he is being carefully managed ahead of what could be a decisive final match of the campaign.

Roma will be without three key players for the upcoming derby against Lazio. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Lorenzo Pellegrini, Konè, and Venturino are unavailable for the match. Konè suffered a muscular problem that forced him to stop training, while the reasons for Venturino's unavailability remain unclear. This follows the earlier announcement that Zaragoza will also miss the derby through injury or suspension. The absences represent a significant blow to Gasperini's squad depth for one of Italian football's most competitive fixtures. Pellegrini, a Rome-born midfielder and club stalwart, is a key figure in Roma's midfield, making his unavailability particularly notable for the derby della Capitale. The multiple injury concerns suggest Roma may need to shuffle their lineup or call upon squad players for the high-stakes encounter. With preparations underway, Gasperini will need to adjust his tactical approach and selections to compensate for these absences. The derby against Lazio remains one of Serie A's most intense rivalries, and managing the squad's fitness and availability will be crucial as Roma prepares for the match.