Gasperini Meets Friedkin as Roma Plan Future Leadership

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expecting to meet with Ryan Friedkin at Roma's training ground in the coming days to begin planning for the next season. The Friedkin family's aircraft landed at Rome's Ciampino airport on Friday afternoon. While Ryan has not yet been seen at the facility, his brother Corbin Friedkin was spotted at Trigoria. Corbin primarily manages Cannes, another club owned by the Friedkin Group, though he has participated in Roma meetings and strategic discussions over the years. Gasperini is keen to address the sporting director position, which is a priority topic for discussion. Current sporting director Massara is expected to leave at the end of the season, and the coach wants clarity on who will collaborate with him to strengthen the squad for the upcoming campaign. According to reports, the leading candidates to replace Massara are Manna and D'Amico, though Giuntoli is also under consideration as he is the only candidate among the three without an existing contract at another club. The meeting represents a crucial moment for Roma's planning as the club looks to build on recent progress and prepare for next season's objectives.

Roma's search for a new sporting director has become more complicated as Hellas Verona aims to keep their current DS. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and owner Ryan Friedkin discussed the recruitment of a sporting director as a crucial priority during recent talks. Sogliano had emerged as a potential candidate, but Verona's determination to retain him has made the pursuit more difficult. Details remain unclear regarding Roma's alternative targets or the timeline for the appointment.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is set to remain at Roma, with plans to meet owner Ryan Friedkin to discuss the club's direction. The upcoming match against Fiorentina represents a significant moment for both sides, each following distinct footballing paths. Gasperini's tenure at Roma continues as he works to implement his tactical vision. The scheduled talks with Friedkin suggest the coach wants to address priorities and expectations moving forward, indicating a desire to accelerate progress at the club. Details of the specific agenda remain unclear.

Zeki Celik's future at AS Roma remains unresolved despite interest from Juventus, Inter, and Premier League clubs. The Turkish right-back has not signed with any rival club and is willing to wait for a renewed contract offer from Roma, having made a commitment to head coach Gasperini, who values him highly. Gasperini is eager to meet Ryan Friedkin to plan the upcoming season, with contract renewals — including for Celik — a key priority. Celik is among several Roma players whose contracts expire in June, alongside Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and El Shaarawy. Roma is now reconsidering its valuation of the former Lille player after initial negotiations stalled. The club had quoted a salary of 4 million euros net, to which the Growth Decree tax benefits would apply. Though a substantial figure, Roma has resumed dialogue, recognizing that replacing Celik at comparable quality would cost considerably more on the transfer market. The player's commitment to his promise to Gasperini and Roma's willingness to continue negotiations suggest a renewal remains feasible, though details of any formal agreement have yet to be reached.

Paulo Dybala's future at AS Roma remains an open question at the club's training base. A contract renewal has not been ruled out, though it depends on certain conditions being met. The forward is reportedly considering his options, with a potential move to Boca Juniors also in the picture. Details of the specific conditions for any renewal or the timeline for a decision remain unclear. The situation represents a significant development in ongoing contract negotiations between the player and the club.

Paulo Dybala will return to the Roma starting lineup for the first time in over three months when the club faces Fiorentina. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini plans to deploy Dybala and Matías Soulé in attack with Donyell Malen as the central striker—a attacking combination the coach believes offers Roma's best chance to pursue Champions League qualification, despite the pair occasionally creating congestion in midfield. Dybala's inclusion comes as Roma evaluates the terms of his contract renewal. The club requires financial and technical certainty before agreeing to an extension. The Argentine forward has indicated willingness to accept a reduced salary to remain at Roma, though the specifics of any reduction remain to be determined. His current deal is worth approximately 8 million euros annually and requires significant trimming. Soulé, Dybala's attacking partner, has also struggled to score recently due to a groin injury, and his compensation package similarly needs adjustment. Gasperini's decision reflects continued faith in Dybala despite the renewal discussions. The upcoming match against Fiorentina will provide a platform to assess whether the forward can deliver the consistency Roma requires to justify keeping him on revised terms and to strengthen the club's European ambitions.