Gasperini outlines Roma's transfer strategy: focus on Dybala, Soulé, and offensive reinforcements

Francesco Totti is waiting for final approval to take on an ambassadorial role at AS Roma. The club's owner, the Friedkin Group, is currently reorganising its management structure, while Totti remains in constant contact with the club. His return is no longer merely a possibility but is taking concrete shape, according to reports. About fifteen days ago, Totti addressed Roma's situation in a manner befitting a prospective club executive, demonstrating directness, clarity, and a strong sense of responsibility. On the matter of the recent managerial situation, he called for unity and cohesion, placing the club above all else. This message reached beyond Roma's training ground at Trigoria and crossed the Atlantic to Friedkin's offices in the United States, where it was well received. The Friedkin Group appreciated not only the content of Totti's words but also their timing, tone, and the responsibility they conveyed. Totti is positioned as a figure capable of uniting different parts of the club—serving as a bridge between the squad and management, between the coaching staff and the broader environment, and between Roma's storied past and its future. The contract as ambassador is reportedly ready and awaiting only final sign-off.

Matías Soulé could leave AS Roma, with Premier League clubs reportedly showing interest in the midfielder. Despite Gian Piero Gasperini's confirmation as head coach and the technical direction of the club, Roma's transfer strategy remains uncertain. The future of the squad continues to be a developing story as the January transfer window progresses.

Crysencio Summerville, the West Ham left winger, has become a priority target for Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club plans a summer attacking overhaul. Summerville has scored seven goals in 30 appearances across all competitions this season and was previously a target for Roma under former manager Daniele De Rossi two years ago. West Ham will listen to offers starting from €20 million upward once the season ends. The Dutch winger shares the same agency as Roma players Donyell Malen and Victor Munoz, another Giallorossi target. Gasperini expects at least three attacking reinforcements in the transfer window, with departures expected for Venturino, El Shaarawy, Zaragoza, Ferguson, and likely Paulo Dybala, though Dybala hopes to secure a contract renewal. Summerville's career has been marked by both promise and turbulence. A product of Feyenoord's youth academy and part of the Dutch U17 generation that won the European Championship, his early professional career was derailed by disciplinary issues. In November 2018, he was involved in a fight with Mats Knoester that escalated into a brawl, after which he was dropped and loaned to Dordrecht. He subsequently worked with a psychologist to address behavioural concerns. Alan Pardew offered him a fresh opportunity, leading to his 2021 move to England. At Leeds United, Summerville made 23 goals in 75 appearances across Premier League and Championship before joining West Ham in 2024. He missed 21 games due to injury last season but is now available as a potential Serie A prospect.

Crysencio Summerville, the West Ham left winger, has become a priority target for Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club plans a summer attacking overhaul. Summerville has scored seven goals in 30 appearances across all competitions this season and was previously a target for Roma under former manager Daniele De Rossi two years ago. West Ham will listen to offers starting from €20 million upward once the season ends. The Dutch winger shares the same agency as Roma players Donyell Malen and Victor Munoz, another Giallorossi target. Gasperini expects at least three attacking reinforcements in the transfer window, with departures expected for Venturino, El Shaarawy, Zaragoza, Ferguson, and likely Paulo Dybala, though Dybala hopes to secure a contract renewal. Summerville's career has been marked by both promise and turbulence. A product of Feyenoord's youth academy and part of the Dutch U17 generation that won the European Championship, his early professional career was derailed by disciplinary issues. In November 2018, he was involved in a fight with Mats Knoester that escalated into a brawl, after which he was dropped and loaned to Dordrecht. He subsequently worked with a psychologist to address behavioural concerns. Alan Pardew offered him a fresh opportunity, leading to his 2021 move to England. At Leeds United, Summerville made 23 goals in 75 appearances across Premier League and Championship before joining West Ham in 2024. He missed 21 games due to injury last season but is now available as a potential Serie A prospect.

Italian radio commentators have voiced concern about Roma's direction under the Friedkin Group ownership. Piero Torri of Radio Manà Manà stated: "I believe we are behind schedule. This ownership navigates without direction. The Ranieri-Gasperini-Massara trio lasted essentially two months, then in practice ten. I hope things are done well: Roma needs to be more of a football club. I see an empty Roma. Roma is already behind schedule, in two months the next season begins. The risk of facing disappointments is concrete." Former striker Roberto Pruzzo commented on Roma's strikeforce, noting the club has three centre-forwards and expressing hope that Dovbyk finds a new opportunity elsewhere. He believes Roma could strengthen by acquiring two new starting-level forwards to make a quality leap. Lorenzo Pes added that Dovbyk represented one of the most misguided investments in recent years, while also discussing Paulo Dybala's potential future at Boca Juniors or his willingness to remain in Rome if circumstances allow. The commentary reflects broader anxiety among Roma observers about the club's management structure and transfer planning as the new season approaches. The frequent managerial changes and perceived lack of coherent strategy have intensified doubts about whether the current ownership can deliver sustained sporting success.

Head coach Gasperini has made clear his intention to engineer a significant overhaul of Roma's attacking department. Donyell Malen is identified as the only indispensable forward and will be retained through a permanent transfer. Gasperini expects this restructuring will be a key topic during Ryan Friedkin's imminent visit to Trigoria and discussions with potential future sporting directors, with Manna and D'Amico among the candidates being considered. Multiple attacking players are expected to leave the club. Paulo Dybala is described as closer to departure—with Boca a likely destination—than to renewing his contract. Matías Soulé, currently a fixture in the lineup, could also depart if Aston Villa or Bournemouth submit concrete offers following their initial enquiries. El Shaarawy is set to leave, while Zaragoza will return to Bayern Munich and Ferguson to Brighton. The overhaul requires two left-sided wingers and one right-sided winger, contingent on Soulé's future. Gasperini's primary targets include Nusa as his dream signing, with Summerville—particularly attractive if West Ham faces relegation—also high on his wishlist. Sauer from Feyenoord and Munoz from Osasuna are viewed as more readily achievable options. Details on other potential recruits remain unclear.