Dybala's family reveals Roma is first choice, though father dreams of Boca move

AS Roma is conducting a search for a new director of sports to replace Ricky Massara, who is expected to leave following the departure of former manager Claudio Ranieri. The club has identified several candidates for the role, including Gianluca Nani, the director of sports at Udinese since summer 2024. Nani, who was born in Rome, has been credited with significantly improving Udinese's performance in less than two years through his transfer market decisions. The search is taking place as Roma prepares for the future under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who requires a director of sports to operate according to his strategic vision. Other candidates in consideration include Giuntoli, D'Amico, Manna, and Sogliano. Among these options, Tony D'Amico is reportedly Gasperini's preferred choice, though securing him would present a significant challenge given his position at Atalanta and his existing contract with the club. Roma would need to negotiate to bring him to the Stadio Olimpico ahead of his contract expiration. The appointment of a new director of sports represents an important step in Roma's organizational restructuring as the club moves forward with its management and transfer strategy under Gasperini's leadership.

AS Roma is pursuing Israel Reyes, a 24-year-old central defender from Mexican club Club América, as the Giallorossi plan their summer transfer strategy with four matches remaining in the season. Reyes is comfortable playing as a centre-back or as a left-sided defender in a three-man defence and is reportedly currently in Rome, suggesting advanced talks. The Mexican defender has attracted interest from several European clubs, including Wolverhampton and Benfica, but Roma's presence in his current location indicates a potential edge in negotiations. Roma's defensive reinforcement is a priority as the club looks to strengthen across all departments ahead of the new campaign. The acquisition of Reyes would add depth and tactical flexibility to the back line, particularly given his versatility between positions. At 24, he represents a player in his prime years with room for further development at a top European club. Details remain unclear regarding the specific terms of any potential agreement or the timeline for a move. Reyes' presence in the Italian capital suggests negotiations are active, though no official announcement has been made.

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.

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.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has established his vision for Roma's future, identifying the attacking department as the team's central focus. The strategy involves retaining key offensive players Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé while exploring additional forward reinforcements. Gasperini's plan emphasizes a dynamic, attacking approach as the foundation for Roma's competitive ambitions. The incoming manager is prioritizing quality in the final third to build a squad capable of challenging at the highest level.

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.