Gasperini eager to plan next season but Roma still searching for sporting director

Christian Pulisic, currently at AC Milan, is a target for AS Roma, though formal negotiations have not yet begun. The American forward is reportedly open to joining Roma but prefers to discuss any move after the World Cup. Pulisic has rejected multiple contract renewal offers from Milan in recent months. His current deal expires in 2027, with Milan holding an option to extend by one additional year; the Rossoneri had hoped to secure him through 2030 but encountered resistance. Milan owner Cardinale remains reluctant to sell at present, though Pulisic's apparent desire for a change of scenery could influence the situation. For Roma, Pulisic represents an attacking reinforcement option, though discussions are expected to intensify only after the World Cup concludes. Meanwhile, the club continues to prioritize other attacking targets. Greenwood remains Roma's primary attacking focus; he has approved a transfer and spoken with coach Gian Piero Gasperini, though an agreement with Marseille—his current club—remains elusive, with the French side demanding over €50 million. Roma's ongoing recruitment strategy reflects a broader effort to strengthen the forward line during the transfer window.

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.

Roma's new sporting director Tony D'Amico is reportedly building an active transfer agenda. Three Serie A clubs, including Roma, are monitoring a young prospect from Spezia. Details of the player's identity and the specific interest from each club remain unclear from the available information. D'Amico's appointment signals an intensified focus on recruitment as Roma continues to develop its squad strategy in the current transfer window.

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.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has signalled to AS Roma's leadership that he wants to keep the club's defensive core intact for the coming season. The four pillars of the backline—goalkeeper Mile Svilar, defenders Gianluca Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso—are central to Gasperini's plans as he aims to build on Roma's recent stability. Svilar is regarded as an exceptional goalkeeper whom the club cannot afford to lose. Hermoso's annual renewal clause was exercised in May, while Mancini has been secured by Gasperini and awaits a contract extension with no doubts surrounding his future. Ndicka, the final member of the quartet, has been subject to months of speculation about a potential departure, but losing a centre-back of his quality does not appeal to Gasperini. Gasperini's emphasis on defensive continuity reflects the improvements made during his tenure. Roma's defence conceded only 31 goals in the recently concluded Serie A campaign, the second-best record in the division. After an initial period of adaptation, the coach established stability at the back. By retaining this defensive foundation, Gasperini intends to push Roma even higher in the league standings. The club faces the challenge of balancing Gasperini's clear wishes to maintain squad cohesion while managing various contract situations and transfer rumours affecting the group.

Roma have appointed Tony D'Amico as their new sporting director following the departure of Frederic Massara, who left amid a dispute with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. D'Amico and Gasperini previously worked together at Atalanta. The club has already secured Donyell Malen on a permanent deal and extended Mario Hermoso's contract as part of their summer activity. With Financial Fair Play obligations to meet, Roma's primary focus will be strengthening their attacking options. Mason Greenwood of Olympique Marseille is a key target, though his fee could reach approximately €50 million. Greenwood has scored 48 goals and provided 17 assists in 81 appearances for Marseille. Roma are also monitoring RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa and West Ham's Crysencio Summerville, though no concrete moves have been made for either. The club does not view acquiring another centre-forward as a pressing priority. Matías Soulé may be sold to a Premier League club as part of Roma's financial planning, while the club will consider offers for midfielder Manu Koné and defender Evan N'Dicka. Losing Soulé could be offset by landing a marquee forward, though Roma's willingness to spend heavily on a single player remains unclear.

Paulo Dybala has refused to commit to a new contract with AS Roma, stating he has not yet decided his future while speaking from Argentina. The forward said: "Vedremo che cosa succederà. Ormai tutte le squadre sono un'opzione, persino l'Instituto Cordoba, così la gente non si arrabbia. Sono ancora un giocatore della Roma fino alla fine del mese, quindi, per rispetto nei confronti del club non parlerò del mio futuro. Tuttavia, non ho ancora deciso." He added that "Tutto è possibile, nel calcio non si sa mai" and acknowledged that Boca Juniors is also an option, though he declined to elaborate. Despite Dybala's cautious public stance, Roma's hierarchy remains confident that negotiations are progressing. The 32-year-old has submitted a counter-proposal to the club that includes performance bonuses, a flexible contract structure (1+1), and involvement in Roma's centenary celebrations, with the possibility of ending his career at the club. The salary being discussed is approximately €500,000 annually higher than Roma's initial offer of €2 million. The renewal discussions were previously handled by club officials but have now been transferred to newly announced sporting director D'Amico, who will take over negotiations going forward. Roma is also working on separate contract extensions for defenders Çelik and midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, though Pellegrini is awaiting contact from the club.

Paulo Dybala has cast fresh uncertainty over his Roma future while on international duty with Argentina, stating "I have not yet decided and I do not know what my future will be, everything is possible." This comes after weeks of positive momentum surrounding his contract renewal. The comments echo earlier remarks Dybala made following Roma's comeback win at Parma, in which he suggested the upcoming Lazio match "will probably be my last game at the Olimpico with Roma's shirt" and noted the club had not contacted him about extending his deal. Despite Dybala's public expressions of uncertainty, Roma's management has moved to open renewal negotiations. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has repeatedly stated his desire to build the team around Dybala going forward. Roma's return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years, driven in part by Dybala's strong form at the season's end, prompted the club to begin formal talks. Newly appointed sporting director D'Amico has prioritized Dybala's renewal alongside those of Çelik and Pellegrini, accelerating a process previously handled directly by Ryan Friedkin. Dybala's representatives have submitted a counterproposal including performance bonuses, flexible contract terms (1+1 option), and involvement in Roma's centenary celebrations, with the possibility of ending his career at the club. The focus now returns to the Friedkin Group, though the renewal is described as drawing closer despite the player's recent comments.

Tony D'Amico has been officially confirmed as AS Roma's new sporting director from the 2026–27 season. The Abruzzo-born executive previously worked with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta. D'Amico will assume full powers on 1 July 2026, though he can work behind the scenes before that date. Until then, interim sporting director Maurizio Lombardo will hold signing authority, as Roma was unable to request a special dispensation from the Italian league due to the timing of D'Amico's arrival from Atalanta. D'Amico inherits a substantial workload. Priority contract renewals include Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Celik, with extensions for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante also on the agenda. Roma must also meet commitments under its UEFA Settlement Agreement and resolve financial fair play requirements around gains on player sales by 30 June. The transfer market remains active, with names including Greenwood, Summerville, and Pulisic linked as possible signings. The club is also addressing its full-back options. Until 1 July, D'Amico cannot formally sign documents or submit written offers for either renewals or new signings—authority falls to chief financial officer Morrow. This represents only a minor delay despite an already crowded agenda ahead of the new season.

Tony D'Amico has been officially confirmed as AS Roma's new sporting director from the 2026–27 season. The Abruzzo-born executive previously worked with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta. D'Amico will assume full powers on 1 July 2026, though he can work behind the scenes before that date. Until then, interim sporting director Maurizio Lombardo will hold signing authority, as Roma was unable to request a special dispensation from the Italian league due to the timing of D'Amico's arrival from Atalanta. D'Amico inherits a substantial workload. Priority contract renewals include Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Celik, with extensions for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante also on the agenda. Roma must also meet commitments under its UEFA Settlement Agreement and resolve financial fair play requirements around gains on player sales by 30 June. The transfer market remains active, with names including Greenwood, Summerville, and Pulisic linked as possible signings. The club is also addressing its full-back options. Until 1 July, D'Amico cannot formally sign documents or submit written offers for either renewals or new signings—authority falls to chief financial officer Morrow. This represents only a minor delay despite an already crowded agenda ahead of the new season.

Tony D'Amico is set to become AS Roma's new sporting director after resolving contractual issues with Atalanta. The former Verona executive resolved the financial pending matters with the Bergamo club on the morning of the announcement and is now ready to sign with Roma. Official confirmation from the club is expected within the coming days. D'Amico will work alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. His arrival comes after a lengthy delay caused by negotiations with Atalanta, which had removed him from his position over a week prior and named Cristiano Giuntoli as his replacement. Upon joining Roma, D'Amico faces a packed agenda including contract renewals for Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Gianluca Mancini, resolution of a Settlement Agreement and financial fair play issues by June 30, and incoming transfers with Mason Greenwood reportedly a priority target. D'Amico's operational powers will initially be limited. He will gain full authority only from July 1, when the transfer market officially opens. Until then, he cannot sign contracts or send formal written offers for renewals or transfers, as Roma was unable to request a derogation at the recent League Assembly. In practical terms, signing authority will rest with chief financial officer Morrow. D'Amico can work informally before July 1, but this represents a further delay of several days in Roma's transfer planning.

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.