Defender Aké Offered to Roma as Manchester City Exit Looms

Roma are accelerating efforts to lock down contract renewals for three key players: Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Çelik. Director D'Amico is working across multiple fronts to protect the squad's core. A fresh meeting with Dybala is expected in the coming days, with hopes that discussions will bring clarity on both his future and the club's direction. Positive signals are also emerging in negotiations with Çelik and Pellegrini, though details remain unclear on specific terms or timelines. June has emerged as a decisive month for Roma's summer planning, with contract renewals sitting among several pressing issues alongside transfers and player sales. The club is confident about reaching agreements and there is a willingness from all parties to find common ground. Roma believe that formal announcements could come soon as discussions progress in what officials describe as the right direction. The three players are viewed as essential pieces of Roma's present and future strategy. While no deals have been finalized, the prevailing sense at Trigoria—the club's training ground—is one of optimism that the negotiations will reach successful conclusions in the coming weeks.

Nicolò Zaniolo has completed a permanent transfer to Udinese after the club exercised its purchase option in the final hours of the deadline. The former Roma player has signed a contract through 2029. Udinese will pay Galatasaray approximately 5 million euros plus 50 percent of any future sale proceeds. Zaniolo contributed 5 goals and 5 assists during his loan spell with the Friuli club. Despite retaining a sell-on clause with Galatasaray, Roma will receive no financial benefit from this transfer. The club had negotiated terms that would have triggered payment if the sale exceeded 20 million euros, or alternatively 20 percent of any difference above the 16.5 million euros originally paid by the Turkish side. The 5 million euro fee falls well short of both thresholds, meaning Roma gains no bonus or income from the deal. The low valuation has left the Giallorossi without compensation despite their contractual protections.

Matías Soulé is among Roma players being considered for sale as the club seeks to generate approximately €60 million in capital gains by 30 June to meet Financial Fair Play requirements. Soulé's agent is reportedly in Milan, suggesting active negotiations. The sale would help Roma comply with financial regulations during the June deadline. Further details on interested clubs or the progress of talks remain unclear.

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.