Massara in push for player exits; El Shaarawy may stay

Niccolò Pisilli was kept at AS Roma during the January transfer window despite interest from Genoa, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ultimately deciding to hold onto the midfielder. Gasperini confirmed his decision after Roma's match against Fiorentina, in which Pisilli performed well. He said: "From December onwards there was talk that Pisilli should leave. Fortunately I managed to keep him." Pisilli had struggled for playing time earlier in the season, making only four Serie A appearances through the end of 2025, with his longest outing lasting 25 minutes. The departure had initially been approved by Gasperini, and Genoa had expressed concrete interest. The transfer was planned to take place late in the January window following El Aynaoui's return from the Africa Cup of Nations. However, Gasperini ultimately reversed course and retained the midfielder. Pisilli's improved form and recent performances appear to have influenced the coaching staff's thinking. The decision to keep the player demonstrates Gasperini's confidence in his development and represents a significant turnaround from the early-season situation where his future at the club seemed uncertain.

Contract renewals for several Roma players remain a priority, with head coach Gasperini emphasizing the issue after the team's recent victory over Fiorentina. Defender Celik, who continues to benefit from Italy's Decreto Crescita tax incentive, is now reportedly willing to reduce his wage demands, making a renewal agreement more feasible. Midfielder Pellegrini is also among the players whose future at the club is being discussed. With the search ongoing for a new sporting director—candidates including Manna and D'Amico—Gasperini has identified two primary targets for the summer transfer window. Nusa of RB Leipzig and Summerville of West Ham United top his list. The West Ham situation is particularly relevant, as the club faces potential relegation and may be forced to sell the Dutch winger, who shares representation with Roma's Donyell Malen. Roma is also monitoring Doumbia of Venezia, a midfielder who has attracted interest from Benfica under José Mourinho. The club's focus on both contract stability and incoming reinforcements reflects Gasperini's strategy to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season.

AS Roma is preparing for significant summer changes, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini actively working to secure contract extensions for defenders Celik and El Shaarawy, both out of contract in June. Gasperini wants both players available at least for the bench in the coming season. The club is simultaneously searching for a new sporting director to replace Ricky Massara, whose future remains uncertain. The Friedkin Group's primary target is Giovanni Manna, currently at Napoli, though president Aurelio De Laurentiis is reportedly reluctant to release him. Tony D'Amico, a former collaborator with Gasperini at Atalanta, remains an alternative option if negotiations with Napoli prove too difficult. These developments come after Roma's 3–0 victory over Fiorentina, which moved the club to within one point of Juventus and kept Champions League qualification hopes alive. The renewal discussions also extend to Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Roma has been monitoring midfielder Issa Doumbia of Venezia, who recorded 9 goals and 6 assists in 37 Serie B matches. Details remain unclear regarding specific timelines for the sporting director appointment.

AS Roma is preparing for significant summer changes, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini actively working to secure contract extensions for defenders Celik and El Shaarawy, both out of contract in June. Gasperini wants both players available at least for the bench in the coming season. The club is simultaneously searching for a new sporting director to replace Ricky Massara, whose future remains uncertain. The Friedkin Group's primary target is Giovanni Manna, currently at Napoli, though president Aurelio De Laurentiis is reportedly reluctant to release him. Tony D'Amico, a former collaborator with Gasperini at Atalanta, remains an alternative option if negotiations with Napoli prove too difficult. These developments come after Roma's 3–0 victory over Fiorentina, which moved the club to within one point of Juventus and kept Champions League qualification hopes alive. The renewal discussions also extend to Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Roma has been monitoring midfielder Issa Doumbia of Venezia, who recorded 9 goals and 6 assists in 37 Serie B matches. Details remain unclear regarding specific timelines for the sporting director appointment.

The Serie A disciplinary authority has issued its latest round of sanctions following the most recent matchday. AS Roma defender Mario Hermoso has received his eighth disciplinary sanction of the season, while teammate Stephan El Shaarawy received his third. Neither player enters suspension risk from these sanctions. The more significant concern for Roma involves Gianluca Mancini, who currently holds one yellow card suspension warning. Should Mancini receive a yellow card in the upcoming match against Parma, he will be suspended and forced to miss the subsequent Derby della Capitale against SS Lazio. This represents a potential defensive lineup issue for coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of the capital city rivalry fixture. Mancini's cautious status highlights the importance of disciplinary management in the final stretch of the season. The club faces a balancing act between maintaining defensive intensity and avoiding accumulation of disciplinary bookings that could weaken the squad for critical matches.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is actively working to secure contract extensions for defender Celik and winger El Shaarawy, viewing both as important members of Roma's core squad. While Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini's futures at the club appear more settled, Celik and El Shaarawy's situations were previously uncertain. Gasperini has made clear his intention to retain both players, valuing their technical ability and character within the group. Gasperini has emphasized his commitment to building around a reliable, competitive nucleus already invested in the project. Speaking at a recent press conference, he expressed frustration at external doubts about the squad's potential, stating: "Me it bothers that there are those who think this is a group for fifth-sixth place and that it cannot go beyond. If these players had had support and more reinforcements, with someone stronger alongside them, maybe they would have reached higher goals." He further stressed the group's qualities: "This is a very strong group, with a solid base. They always put their face on the line and always play, they never give up. They are always present and, when they lose, they take it badly: not everyone is like that. These are values to strengthen, not to dismantle to take who knows who." Gasperini's push for renewals reflects his desire to maintain continuity while seeking additional quality additions to the squad in future transfer windows.