Dybala in race against time to avoid unwanted Serie A milestone

Mile Svilar is Roma's most valuable and marketable player, worth over €50 million, yet selling him to resolve the club's financial fair play issues would leave Roma without an essential asset. The goalkeeper has masked significant defensive problems this season with extraordinary shot-stopping, and his departure would create a gap difficult to fill. Roma's history with goalkeeping replacements offers cautionary lessons. After Alisson left in 2018, the club struggled to find a reliable successor, spending €8.5 million plus €3.5 million in bonuses on Robin Olsen, who failed to establish himself and was loaned out repeatedly. Subsequent signings—Pau López for €23.5 million and Rui Páticio—provided mixed results. Other players on the potential sales list include Koné, Soulé, and Ndicka, but none commands Svilar's market value. Svilar's statistics underscore his importance. Over the past two years with coach Falcone, he has played all 72 Serie A matches, recording the league's highest save percentage at 77 percent. He ranks second in clean sheets with 15—behind Como's Butez with 16—and second in save percentage at 77.5 percent, just behind Milan's Maignan at 77.7 percent. He also ranks sixth for expected goals prevented at 4.49. While a Svilar sale would generate crucial funds before the 30 June deadline, replacing him would prove extraordinarily difficult.

Former striker Totò Di Natale has weighed in on the four-team battle for fourth place in Serie A, with four matches remaining. Juventus lead the chase, but Como and Roma sit just three points behind and are positioned to exploit any slip from the defending champions. Di Natale backs Juventus to secure the spot, though he acknowledged the competition will be tight. Di Natale praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as "a master" and expressed confidence he will remain competitive until the final day. However, he pointed to Roma's recent draw against Juventus as a missed opportunity. "If Roma doesn't go into the Champions League, they should only blame themselves," Di Natale said. "In the direct clash at the Olimpico they didn't deliver the killer blow to Juventus. They were winning 3-2 at the 92nd minute and then it ended 3-3: if you keep the Bianconeri alive, then you risk..." He also praised Como's manager Cesc Fabregas for building "a marvel" of a side. Di Natale reflected on his own playing career, noting that in 209 Serie A goals across his time in Italian football, he might have scored even more had he played in a squad like Fabregas's Como.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified Mile Svilar, Wesley, and Donyell Malen as the three cornerstones of Roma's push for Champions League qualification in the final four matches of the season, and also as foundational pillars for next season's squad. These three players are considered essential to the club's strategy both in the immediate term and for the future. Svilar, despite some inconsistencies this season after previously delivering outstanding performances, remains a certainty for next year despite arriving on a free transfer, which makes him commercially attractive for potential profit margins. Roma intends to balance its finances through other player sales, potentially including exits for Ndicka and Koné, or if significant offers arrive, possibly Niccolò Pisilli or Matías Soulé. Wesley, signed for 25 million euros plus 5 million in bonuses, has reportedly doubled in value and is now considered untouchable by Gasperini, who reportedly clashed with medical staff and former manager Claudio Ranieri over the Brazilian's availability. The winger is unlikely to leave. Malen, currently on loan from Aston Villa, represents the most prized jewel in this trio. Roma has already budgeted 25 million euros to secure his permanent transfer from the English club, demonstrating the club's commitment to retaining the Dutch forward for next season.

Paulo Dybala has indicated that AS Roma is his priority for the future, opening the door to a contract renewal with the club. The Argentine forward's deal expires on June 30, and while a move to Boca Juniors had long been anticipated as a potential return home, that scenario now appears less likely. Dybala has reportedly already met with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who expressed full willingness to keep him as part of the technical project. However, any renewal will require restructuring. Current contract terms are insufficient, and both sides will need to find a compromise on wages. The Boca Juniors option has reportedly faded partly because their offer fell short of the player's expectations. The future remains uncertain regarding the exact terms, but Dybala's stated preference for Roma suggests the club's love story with the Joya may yet have another chapter to write. Roma will need to balance the financial implications of keeping a key attacking player while navigating the realities of the transfer market. Whether a deal can be reached in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but the player's willingness to negotiate represents a significant shift from the previous narrative of an imminent departure.

Roma's squad completed a training session at Trigoria on May 1st and then spent the afternoon relaxing together to mark the Italian public holiday. After the morning session, the players enjoyed lunch and attempted shots at goal from poolside, with Ndicka scoring a goal that sparked collective celebration from the group. Midfielder El Shaarawy posted a photo of the squad at table on social media, captioning it with "What a team" in reference to the moment. The session was part of preparations for Roma's Serie A match against Fiorentina, scheduled for Monday, May 4th at 20:45 at the Olimpico, counting as a makeup fixture for the 35th round. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini also received a special visit from Franco Tancredi, a Roma legend, and the two embraced at the training ground. Dybala shared a message on the occasion, stating: "It's not just about working, but giving everything every day." The relaxed atmosphere reflects Roma's approach to balancing preparation with team bonding ahead of their upcoming fixture.

Roma defender N'Dicka featured in a highlight-reel goal during the club's May Day break. The Giallorossi spent the first of May enjoying downtime that included pool activities, with footage capturing the best moments from the day. Paulo Dybala had shared a message with the squad earlier. Details of the full context and any training rationale remain unclear from the available information.