Gasperini focused on present as Roma chase Champions League with no room for error

Younés El Aynaoui, a former Moroccan tennis player and father of Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, has given an interview to FIFA's official channels discussing his son's football career and mentality. Younés revealed that Neil initially showed more interest in tennis while the family lived in Barcelona, but discovered his true passion for football between ages 10 and 11, inspired by Barcelona's culture. His mother, who has close ties to AS Nancy, encouraged the switch. Younés noticed his son's potential when he began training at CREPS Nancy, displaying superior physical abilities and unwavering commitment. Younés described his contribution to Neil's development as an athlete, emphasizing discipline in diet, sleep, and injury prevention—habits learned from his own tennis background. He stressed that the family ensured football remained Neil's personal project rather than a parental dream. Walid Regragui, Morocco's coach, reportedly praised Neil's professionalism and work ethic, drawing a comparison between father and son. Younés said: "Logically, one should not change anything about one's daily routine. You shouldn't delude yourself into thinking you can do something sensational, because trying to do everything perfectly can generate tension. For Neil, the World Cup is there every day, every time he trains." Younés highlighted that Neil, though appearing shy and gentle, possesses a strong character and extraordinary football knowledge. He trains at the highest level regardless of tournament context, maintaining focus and avoiding overwork in the lead-up to major competitions.

Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui featured in Morocco's 1-1 draw against Brazil at the MetLife Stadium in the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first Roma player to debut in the tournament. He was satisfied with his team's performance despite the challenging match. "For the content of the game, I think we played the match we wanted to play. We are satisfied with the performance and now we are focused on Scotland," he said in the post-match zone. El Aynaoui spoke positively about his midfield partnership with Ayoub El Kaabi, noting their understanding both on and off the pitch. The midfielder addressed his future at Roma directly, confirming his commitment to the club ahead of the new season. "I am doing well at Roma, very well. Will I stay? Yes, of course," he stated. Looking ahead, El Aynaoui and Morocco are now preparing for their next World Cup fixture against Scotland, shifting focus from their opening match against Brazil. He expressed confidence in the squad's ability to compete at the highest level: "We know we can play matches of this level. We are convinced that this squad has the qualities to do great things in the tournament."

Manu Koné, Roma's midfielder, addressed his immediate future while on France national team duty ahead of the nation's World Cup 2026 opener against Senegal on Tuesday. When asked about reported interest from Inter, Koné stated: "Sincerely at this moment I think only about the World Cup. It's my first big international competition, a tournament I've always dreamed of playing in. I want to stay focused exclusively on this. We'll talk about the future after the World Cup and we'll see what happens." Koné's final months at Roma were disrupted by two hamstring injuries that affected his season. Despite these setbacks, he expressed confidence in his recovery and his ability to contribute for France. He emphasized his readiness to serve the team when called upon, noting that he featured regularly during qualifying. The midfielder reflected on his journey with pride, recalling watching France's 2022 final campaign from Germany while playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach at that time. Regarding the Senegal match, Koné stressed France's preparation and intentions: "We've prepared well. We've played two friendlies that will be useful to us in the future. We're adapting to the heat and I hope we'll be ready against Senegal to start well in the competition. It's the first match and we must win it to get off on the right foot."

Lorenzo Pellegrini is delaying decisions on extending his Roma contract, while Paulo Dybala awaits the club's response regarding his future. Contract negotiations involving both players remain uncertain as Roma navigates Financial Fair Play constraints that affect potential squad movements. The club faces decisions on retaining key players amid transfer activity and budget limitations. Details remain unclear on the timeline for contract talks or whether renewals are imminent.

AS Roma right-back Celik is on the verge of signing a contract extension through 2029, with negotiations between the club's director and his representative progressing steadily. An agreement is expected in the coming days, though minor financial differences remain to be resolved. Celik, currently on international duty, is set to earn just under 3 million euros per season under the new terms. Director D'Amico is simultaneously managing renewals for two other key players: Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Pellegrini's extension is described as a matter of days away, with talks intensifying and a two-year deal reportedly ready for signature. Dybala awaits Roma's response to a counter-proposal he submitted earlier. Head coach Gasperini requested the retention of his trusted players before the club shifts focus to summer transfer targets in July. Roma's primary transfer objective remains Mason Greenwood, though Marseille continues to block a move and is seeking approximately 50 million euros plus bonuses. The resolution of these renewal negotiations is expected to clear the way for the club's incoming recruitment strategy.

Radio commentators and former players across Rome's radio stations have shared their views on Roma's transfer strategy and title prospects. Piero Torri suggested that Paulo Dybala would likely start in Champions League quarter-finals ahead of Summerville, and cautioned against promising playing time to new signings. He noted that Gasperini is an uncompromising figure—players must earn their place—and indicated the club has a general agreement with Greenwood pending Marseille's need to sell before June 30. Without competing interest in Greenwood, Roma could negotiate the price down. However, veteran commentators expressed skepticism about the club's ambitions. Nando Orsi argued that Roma lacks the depth of Inter and Napoli at squad level, highlighting that Inter possesses Lautaro, Bonny, Thuram, and Esposito, while Roma has limited attacking alternatives if Donyell Malen is unavailable. He suggested the club must expand its quality across 3–4 more starting positions rather than relying on 13–14 players. Roberto Pruzzo was direct in his assessment: "Greenwood and Summerville do not seem like profiles capable of raising the level to compete for the championship. If Roma wants to try to win the league, it must bring in 3–4 starting players while maintaining its core group." The commentary reflects broader concern that current transfer targets may be insufficient for a genuine title push.

El Shaarawy, a Roma player, recently held his bachelor party celebration. The event was marked by smiles and an affectionate gesture toward AS Roma, described as a final 'kiss' to the club. Details of the specific nature of this gesture and the broader context remain unclear from the available information.

AS Roma is advancing contract renewal talks with three key players—Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Celik—all whose current deals expire on 30 June. The arrivals of new sporting director Tony D'Amico, who officially begins work on 1 July, is accelerating negotiations. For Dybala and Celik, agreement appears imminent, with Celik expected to receive a salary increase to approximately 3 million euros annually. Pellegrini's renewal is also progressing smoothly, aided by positive relations between his agent and the newly appointed sporting director. All three players have expressed their intention to remain at Roma, and the club's position is equally clear. However, the final formalities—putting pen to paper—remain outstanding. This comes after Stephan El Shaarawy's departure as a free agent, leaving these three renewals as a priority for the Friedkin Group's hierarchy ahead of the summer transfer window. The timing of D'Amico's appointment is proving instrumental in streamlining these negotiations and resolving the contractual impasse that had lingered heading into the final days of June.

Venezia has submitted an official proposal to Stephan El Shaarawy, who recently departed AS Roma. The newly promoted club, represented by sporting director Filippo Antonelli, has made a formal offer to the Egyptian winger, who is taking time to consider his options. El Shaarawy scored the decisive goal that secured Roma's Champions League qualification before leaving the club. El Shaarawy is weighing multiple offers beyond Venezia's approach. Fiorentina, Palermo, and Genoa have also tabled proposals. Genoa holds particular appeal as the club where El Shaarawy developed as a player and where he would reunite with Daniele De Rossi, his former Roma manager and teammate. The 32-year-old is approaching the final chapter of his career and is prioritizing the right fit for his next move. Following his departure from Roma, El Shaarawy spent several weeks on holiday with his wife, visiting the United States, Mauritius, and French Polynesia before returning to Rome. He is expected to announce his decision within the coming days.

AS Roma faces pressure to sell key players before making new signings. Matías Soulé remains the primary candidate for departure, with Roma demanding €40 million—a figure that exceeds Borussia Dortmund's historical spending limits for individual players. However, hopes centre on more lucrative Premier League interest, particularly from Nottingham Forest, which may increase its offer for Jan Ziolkowski from €15 million to €20 million. Simultaneously, Real Betis has approached Roma regarding multiple players. The Spanish club requested Angelino on loan, but the left-back has signalled his preference to begin the season with Roma on 13 July to prove himself to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini before deciding on his future. Betis also targets Artem Dovbyk, valued at nearly €26 million on Roma's books. Roma cannot afford to sell Dovbyk below that figure due to financial constraints, while Betis lacks the immediate funds for a permanent deal. The emerging proposal involves a loan arrangement with a potential mandatory redemption clause dependent on specific conditions. These parallel negotiations reflect Roma's complex summer strategy: generating funds through outgoings while managing squad depth and player preferences as the pre-season preparations approach.

Roma are studying plans to sign Mason Greenwood from Marseille, with new sporting director Tony D'Amico working on a move contingent on player sales. Marseille face a June 30 deadline to comply with a UEFA financial agreement and have been hit with a €10 million fine, making Greenwood available. Roma require outgoings before securing the Marseille forward—Matías Soulé remains without a concrete offer, though Real Betis have initiated contact regarding Spanish left-back Angelino, who has not convinced head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Betis are also interested in Artem Dovbyk. On the inbound side, Roma are monitoring Portuguese prospects, with Leonardo Fajardo emerging as an attacking target. The 2007-born striker is preparing to leave Porto. The article also notes progress on Roma's new stadium at Pietralata, which has received initial approval from Italy's national sports authority (CONI) in recent days. Details of the new ground's specifications—including surface type, capacity, and surrounding infrastructure—remain under development as the club moves forward with the project.

An analysis of AS Roma's 2025–26 season examines the underlying numbers and performances that shaped the club's campaign beyond the headline achievement of securing third place and Champions League qualification. The piece focuses on individual contributions from key players including Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante, and Artem Dovbyk, exploring statistical insights that reveal the full picture of Roma's season. While Roma achieved a strong final league position, the deeper metrics highlight both standout individual performances and areas of note across the campaign. The analysis provides context for understanding how specific players and tactical elements influenced the overall outcome.