Dybala prioritizes Roma renewal as Boca Juniors steps back

Sean Sogliano, Verona's sporting director, is close to signing a contract extension with the club through 2029, effectively ending speculation about a potential move to AS Roma. The extension comes despite Verona's recent mathematical relegation from Serie A following Lecce's victory over Pisa. Roma has been searching for a new sporting director after Massara's expected departure. Sogliano had been among the names linked with the Giallorossi, but he has chosen to remain with Hellas Verona rather than make the step up to a larger club. The matter is expected to be discussed during a meeting between Ryan Friedkin and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini scheduled for today, which will also cover the club's overall transfer strategy and other personnel decisions. Other candidates reportedly on Roma's radar for the sporting director role include D'Amico, Giuntoli, Manna, and Paratici. The timing of these discussions coincides with broader changes in the club's structure as The Friedkin Group continues to shape the organisation ahead of the new season.

AS Roma has emerged as a strong suitor for Dario Osorio, a Chilean talent born in 2004 playing for Danish club Midtjylland. Kjaer, the club's director of football, has publicly backed the young winger's readiness for Italian football. Osorio has attracted attention as a prospect who could develop into a significant player at elite level. Roma's interest reflects the club's focus on acquiring emerging talent with potential for growth. The comparison to Sánchez suggests Osorio is viewed as a dynamic attacking player capable of making an impact in Serie A.

Ryan Friedkin, owner of AS Roma through The Friedkin Group, is expected to visit Trigoria, the club's training ground, for a series of key meetings about Roma's future direction. The primary discussion will be with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, with several critical topics on the agenda: the vacant sporting director position—as current director Massara is reportedly close to departing—and planning for the summer transfer window. The meeting is considered pivotal in defining Roma's identity and establishing a clear strategic direction for the club. Gasperini is expected to emphasize the need for a more focused transfer approach: fewer wasteful spending and greater quality, with signings tailored specifically to his tactical system. The coach will seek assurance of consistency between technical vision and market activity. This comes as Roma works to rebuild and return to the level of Serie A's top clubs, with the coaching staff prioritizing targeted investments in players suited to the team's philosophy rather than speculative acquisitions. The timing of the meeting underscores the sense of urgency within the club to establish clear governance and transfer planning after a period of uncertainty. The outcome of this summit between ownership and Gasperini is expected to shape Roma's recruitment priorities and overall strategic framework for the remainder of the year.

Paulo Dybala faces a personal challenge in AS Roma's final four league matches of the season. The Argentine forward has scored only two goals this campaign—against Sassuolo and Torino—and risks finishing a Serie A season with fewer than three goals for the first time since the 2012–13 campaign at Palermo. At nearly 33 years old, Dybala has maintained that minimum threshold throughout his career; it represents a symbolic barrier he has never fallen below until now. Dybala's reduced output has been shaped by injury and limited playing time. He has featured in just 31% of available league minutes this season, well below his typical 50% average of recent years. An operation in March further impacted his availability. The upcoming matches offer four opportunities to reverse the trend and restore his statistics to historical form. Particularly significant is his goal drought at the Olimpico in Serie A, which stretches back to December 2024, when he scored a brace against Parma. Additionally, Dybala has never scored against Lazio in the Derby della Capitale. These final four matches carry weight beyond statistics. With his contract situation expected to resurface, Dybala sees the closing fixtures as a chance to rewrite his season's narrative, break personal taboos, and return to peak form—the "Joya" at his best.

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.