Mancini makes Roma history: surpasses Aldair, now second among defenders

Italy Under-19 coach Alberto Bollini has announced his preliminary squad list for a preparation stage ahead of the Under-19 European Championship. Two AS Roma players have been included in the pre-selection. The full squad details and player names remain unclear from the available information. Selection for youth national team competitions is a significant milestone for developing players at Roma, providing international exposure and experience at a formative stage of their careers.

Marseille faces a serious financial crisis and has outlined a clear strategy to sell key players before the end of June. The French club must raise approximately 100 million euros to address economic problems tied to television rights shortfalls and a 10-million-euro UEFA fine, alongside a strict repayment plan to avoid European competition bans over the next three years. Mason Greenwood, valued at around 55 million euros by Transfermarkt, is the centerpiece of the club's sales strategy, though Marseille could accept offers closer to 45 million. Manchester United retains a 40% sell-on clause in Greenwood's contract. Roma's interest in Greenwood remains active, with the English winger identified as the profile to strengthen an attack capable of competing in the Champions League under coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Roma hopes to complete negotiations soon, though the club faces its own constraint: a need to generate approximately 50 million euros in capital gains by 30 June, which may require selling a valuable asset such as Matías Soulé or Koné. Other Marseille departures under consideration include Paixao (valued around 35 million), Timber (25 million), Gouiri (28 million), and Balerdi (18 million). Hojlberg is also likely to leave after Besiktas's 10-million-euro offer was rejected; Atalanta has shown interest in the midfielder.

AS Roma is nearing an agreement with insurance company Generali regarding a financial reimbursement related to player Edoardo Bove. The deal would provide a significant boost to the club's finances ahead of the 30 June deadline for compliance with Financial Fair Play regulations. Details of the exact amount and final terms remain unclear, but the agreement is expected to help Roma meet its financial obligations within the required timeframe.

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.

Julio Sergio, former Roma goalkeeper, praised teammate Wesley in a radio interview, stating that the Brazilian defender's impact has been impressive but not entirely unexpected. Sergio noted Wesley's physical qualities and work ethic, explaining: "Sapevo che Wesley aveva gamba e voglia: mette sempre il cuore e l'anima in campo" (I knew Wesley had pace and desire: he always puts his heart and soul on the pitch). He credited head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with intelligently shifting Wesley's position to suit tactical needs, drawing parallels to how Gianluca Mancini and other players adapted when arriving in Italy. Regarding Wesley's rumoured interest from top clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City, Sergio suggested another season consolidating at Roma under Gasperini's guidance could be valuable, though he acknowledged the difficulty of refusing offers from world-class institutions. Sergio also assessed goalkeeper Mile Svilar's recent performances, praising his reflexes and physicality. He noted that Svilar has earned strong fan support through on-pitch performances and provides defensive security, though he identified areas for growth: "Può migliorare con i piedi o nelle uscite alte" (He can improve with his feet or in high exits). Sergio highlighted the environment at Trigoria training ground ahead of Roma's return to Champions League, describing it as optimal with strong expectations despite acknowledging the difficulty of competing against established European sides.

Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are set to sign contract renewals extending through 2030, cementing their status as long-term cornerstones of AS Roma under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Both players were instrumental in Roma's UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in 2022 and have contributed to the club's recent return to Champions League qualification after a seven-year absence. The renewals formalize what had been under negotiation since earlier in the year and represent a significant commitment from the Friedkin Group ownership. The deals come after Tony D'Amico, Roma's sporting director, resumed negotiations that had stalled under the previous sports management structure. Mancini's improved offer reflects his strong end-of-season performance and interest from Inter, with his salary set at approximately 3.5 million euros plus performance bonuses that could reach 4 million euros. Cristante's agreement follows a similar structure, with a slightly lower base salary but also including bonus clauses. Gasperini reportedly pressed the Friedkin Group to prioritize retaining both players, underscoring their importance to his tactical plans. Both Mancini and Cristante joined Roma in 2019 and have become key figures in the squad alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini, forming part of the group that helped restore the club to European prominence after years of inconsistency.