Gasperini Charts Roma's Future Around Soulé and Malen

Roma continues to pursue options on the flanks, which head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified as the absolute priority for summer transfers. The club is reportedly interested in Zappacosta as a potential signing for the wing position. However, relations between Roma and Atalanta—Zappacosta's club—are described as strained, which could complicate any potential deal. Gasperini's focus on strengthening the defensive and attacking flanks reflects a key tactical priority for the coming season.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and vice president Ryan Friedkin are maintaining regular communication as they work together on Roma's transfer strategy. The two are in frequent contact via phone calls, meetings, and video conferences to discuss arrivals, contract renewals, and departures. Although they may operate at different speeds, both are aligned on the club's direction, according to reports. The primary transfer target remains Mason Greenwood, whom the ownership hopes to bring to Roma to strengthen the squad under Gasperini's leadership. The pair's collaboration has already proven successful—their working relationship facilitated the signing of Donyell Malen in the January transfer window. Beyond player acquisitions, discussions are also centered on financial matters related to player sales and contract extensions expected to be finalized soon. The overarching goal is to reinforce Roma ahead of the club's return to the Champions League and the centenary celebration. Gasperini's vision reportedly includes assembling a squad with significant attacking depth. The focus on recruitment reflects ambitions to compete at the highest level during a pivotal season for the Giallorossi.

Ryan Friedkin of the Friedkin Group ownership is personally accelerating Roma's transfer market activity. The owner is conducting phone calls, meetings, and video calls to secure signings, with the goal of delivering at least two reinforcements to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Roma's ownership is taking a hands-on approach to strengthen the squad ahead of the remainder of the season.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, begins tonight with 48 teams competing in 104 matches over 39 days—the largest tournament in history. Six AS Roma players are competing, though Wesley has withdrawn due to injury at the last moment. The tournament features a new format: 12 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group and eight best third-place finishers advancing to a knockout stage that includes a round of 16. The final on July 19 in New York will include a 30-minute interval entertainment featuring Coldplay, Madonna, and Shakira. Two Roma players stand out as genuine contenders for silverware: Manu Koné, who will anchor France's midfield under Didier Deschamps as they seek revenge against Argentina after losing the 2022 final on penalties, and Donyell Malen, a key attacking weapon for the Netherlands under Ronald Koeman. Notably, Italy will not participate. Mile Svilar cannot represent Belgium due to diplomatic issues affecting his nation. Four additional Roma players are in the tournament: defender Evan Ndicka with Côte d'Ivoire, facing Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao in their group; Zeki Çelik with Turkey in a group containing Australia, the United States, and Paraguay; and two Morocco-based players, El Aynaoui and Salah Eddine, competing in a group with Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and vice president Ryan Friedkin are maintaining regular communication as they work together on Roma's transfer strategy. The two are in frequent contact via phone calls, meetings, and video conferences to discuss arrivals, contract renewals, and departures. Although they may operate at different speeds, both are aligned on the club's direction, according to reports. The primary transfer target remains Mason Greenwood, whom the ownership hopes to bring to Roma to strengthen the squad under Gasperini's leadership. The pair's collaboration has already proven successful—their working relationship facilitated the signing of Donyell Malen in the January transfer window. Beyond player acquisitions, discussions are also centered on financial matters related to player sales and contract extensions expected to be finalized soon. The overarching goal is to reinforce Roma ahead of the club's return to the Champions League and the centenary celebration. Gasperini's vision reportedly includes assembling a squad with significant attacking depth. The focus on recruitment reflects ambitions to compete at the highest level during a pivotal season for the Giallorossi.

Donyell Malen has faced criticism from Dutch football circles following disappointing performances in Netherlands pre-World Cup friendlies. The Roma forward failed to score in the warm-up matches and is now at risk of losing his starting position ahead of the tournament opener. Head coach Koeman has spoken bluntly about wasted chances, with Memphis Depay emerging as a potential replacement. Kenneth Perez, a former Danish footballer and ESPN pundit, delivered a particularly harsh assessment. Perez recounted a conversation with Italian attendees at a golf tournament, saying: "I was at a golf tournament where there were many Italians, and they said: 'Malen demonstrates the problem with Italian football. How mediocre it has become, if he can excel in this context'. They think their championship is worth nothing." Perez predicted that Depay would become the primary forward for the World Cup, noting that coaches find Malen's missed opportunities frustrating. Malen still has opportunities to improve his situation and silence the mounting criticism, but will need to convert chances effectively to regain favour with the coaching staff. His struggles in pre-tournament fixtures have raised questions about his form heading into a major competition.

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.