Celik cleared to face Fiorentina after injury scare

AS Roma is using the World Cup as a platform to identify potential signings for a title-contending squad. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has several profiles under observation, with the list beginning with Reyes, a Mexican defender on the market after leaving Club America. Reyes can play centre-back or right-back and will have three group matches to impress Roma scouts. Other primary targets include Summerville from the Netherlands, reportedly one of Gasperini's preferred options and seen as a potential Champions-level acquisition. Alajbegovic from Bosnia and Herzegovina is another tracked prospect, though his €35 million asking price is considered high and may rise if he performs well. Vlasic, a Croatian midfielder currently at Torino, is viewed as a useful squad player to enhance Gasperini's tactical system, while Nusa and Brahim Diaz are also on the wider watchlist. The World Cup historically serves as a showcase where lesser-known players can emerge as surprise transfer targets, and Roma will monitor the tournament closely as it unfolds. The club's recruitment strategy focuses on identifying both established players and emerging talent who may benefit from the exposure and intensity of international competition. The scouting period represents a critical window before the transfer market accelerates in the summer.

Roma and Napoli have made enquiries for Federico Gatti, a centre-back available for transfer from Juventus. The 26-year-old defender has not maintained the form shown in the previous season and is listed among Juventus's available players. His current market value stands at approximately €14 million. Head coach Gasperini is prioritising attacking reinforcements, particularly Mason Greenwood, and wants to strengthen the squad across multiple positions ahead of Roma's return to Champions League football. A move for Gatti in the coming weeks is considered unlikely, as Roma's focus will centre almost exclusively on the attack. However, the defender remains a name to monitor throughout the summer window. Roma may also need to bolster their defence depending on potential departures, with the possible sale of Ziolkowski contributing to the need for new options at centre-back. Gasperini aims to have a more complete squad available for the next season. While Gatti is not an immediate priority, the club is keeping tabs on his situation as one of several defensive targets that could be pursued as the transfer market develops.

Roma and Juventus are competing to sign left-back Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid after he featured in 47 appearances during the 2025–26 season, providing 6 assists. The Spanish club paid €17 million to acquire him from Atalanta but could now demand €28–30 million, with both Italian clubs expected to offer €22–25 million including add-ons. Atletico Madrid may sell Ruggeri to make space for alternative left-sided specialists such as Marc Cucurella, Maxi Araujo, or Alejandro Grimaldo. For Roma, the 24-year-old represents a defensive option independent of ongoing negotiations with current right-back Zeki Celik, whose contract expires on 30 June. Ruggeri's familiarity with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini makes him an appealing fit for the Giallorossi's recruitment strategy. The club aims to strengthen its wing defence, with Wesley already providing aggressive coverage on one flank. Juventus, meanwhile, is simultaneously pursuing other Atletico Madrid targets including Alexander Sorloth and Nicolas Gonzalez. The Old Lady is prioritizing a striker before the World Cup begins, though their offer has fallen short of Atletico's asking price. Juventus is also eyeing fullback options in case they offload Andrea Cambiaso later in the transfer window.