Friedkin Set to Return to Rome for Talks with Gasperini in Coming Days

Italian tennis player Flavio Cobolli, ranked 13th on the ATP tour and a devoted AS Roma supporter, signed a Roma scarf for a fan during the Mutua Madrid Open on 28 April. After securing victory against Daniil Medvedev to advance to the quarter-finals, Cobolli received the scarf from a spectator in the stands and immediately signed it before returning it. The gesture highlighted Roma's reach beyond football, with Cobolli's display of his giallorossi allegiance extending the club's presence into professional tennis. Cobolli has become known for moments celebrating his Roma fandom on the international stage. Earlier at Monaco, he had generated viral social media attention with a photo featuring fellow athlete Mats Hummels with Roma undertones. These public displays demonstrate how the club's colours and values resonate with supporters across different sports and continents.

Evan Ndicka has emerged as one of AS Roma's most likely departure targets this summer, with English Premier League side Bournemouth reportedly preparing an approach for the Ivorian defender. Bournemouth, managed by Tiago Pinto—who originally brought Ndicka to Roma in 2023 on a free transfer—have identified the player as a target for the coming season. No official contact between the clubs has been confirmed; the interest remains in its initial stages, though described as concrete. Roma face significant financial constraints tied to UEFA Fair Play regulations, requiring the club to generate approximately 80 million euros in sales by 30 June. Ndicka represents an asset capable of generating full profit for the Giallorossi, having arrived without a transfer fee. His market value is estimated between 35 and 40 million euros, making him a potential solution to Roma's financial obligations. The left-back's potential exit would come amid broader squad reshaping at the club. Ndicka has established himself as a key defensive option since his 2023 arrival and would represent a significant departure if the transfer materializes.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has indicated his preference for a mountain-based summer retreat as part of discussions with the Friedkin Group regarding AS Roma's pre-season planning. The decision on the retreat location is expected to be clarified during an upcoming meeting between the club's ownership and coaching staff, where various organizational matters will be addressed. Gasperini's proposal represents a shift from recent seasons, during which Roma split their preparations between the humid Trigoria training ground and overseas locations in England and Portugal. The coach is pushing for approximately two weeks in a mountain setting ahead of the competitive season. Possible venues under consideration reportedly include locations in Switzerland or Germany, with plans to include friendly matches against local and national sides as part of the retreat schedule. The summer retreat decision forms part of broader pre-season preparations being finalized between Gasperini and the Friedkin Group. Details of the final chosen destination and exact timing remain unclear.