Celik willing to lower demands in contract renewal talks; Pellegrini's situation also under review

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.

Sporting director Massara has been working abroad to arrange player departures, while a significant shift has emerged in Roma's contract renewal strategy. Head coach Gasperini is pushing for all out-of-contract players to sign new deals, including El Shaarawy, with whom he reportedly held talks last week. This represents a change in approach, as the Friedkin Group had signaled different intentions only a month earlier. Gasperini has defended Roma's squad following the Fiorentina match, stating: "It bothers me that some think this is a group that can't go beyond 5th or 6th place. If they had received more reinforcements, perhaps they would have reached higher targets." The renewal strategy now sits at the center of the club's focus, particularly regarding out-of-contract players. The ownership's apparent reconsideration of renewals marks a strategic pivot from their earlier public position. Massara's work on outgoings suggests the club is exploring departures to create space or financial flexibility, while simultaneously prioritizing the retention of key squad members through contract extensions. The combination of these moves indicates Roma is reshaping its approach to squad management and planning for the coming 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.

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.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his vision for Roma following the team's victory over Fiorentina. Speaking after the match, Gasperini stated: "This is not a group to dismantle with 'who knows who'. It is a group to integrate, with healthy values. Then by all means, everyone has their own ideas, I work with mine. If I have to work with other people's ideas, it would be better to find me another place." His remarks signal frustration over tactical disagreements within the club and underscore his demand for alignment with the sporting director. Gasperini's priority is securing a director of sport who shares his football philosophy. The article reports that current sporting director Ricky Massara has never established the required understanding with the coach. Gasperini's preferred candidate is Tony D'Amico from Atalanta, with Manna and Paratici listed as alternatives. Beyond leadership alignment, Gasperini wants to retain the squad's moral core by securing contract renewals for key players including Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala, and others like Mancini, Hermoso, and Cristante. He intends to direct significant budget resources toward strengthening the attack, with players including Nusa, Summerville, and Sauer reportedly on his radar. Gasperini emphasizes avoiding a squad overhaul, noting that Roma's full roster already demonstrates Champions League-standard performance.

Roma have regained momentum, positive results, and confidence under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club's pursuit of a Champions League place remains challenging, but the squad is moving in the right direction. Key factors in their push include the return of injured players to full fitness, defensive stability, and the contributions of Donyell Malen. While the path to qualification is complicated, Roma's recent form suggests the target is achievable if these elements remain consistent through the remainder of the season.

Donyell Malen has made an outstanding impact at AS Roma since his mid-season arrival, establishing himself as one of Serie A's most prolific attackers. In 15 league matches, the Dutch forward has scored 11 goals, placing him fifth in the Serie A scoring chart behind Lautaro Martinez, Thuram, Nico Paz, and Douvikas. Beyond goal tally, Malen stands out for his efficiency: according to Sofascore data, he leads the entire league with 1.60 on-target shots per match, ahead of Nico Paz (1.41), Lautaro Martinez (1.33), and Alisson Santos (1.18). Malen's quick execution, positioning, and shot-taking ability have impressed Roma's squad. Defender Gianluca Mancini spoke of his impact in a recent press conference, noting: "In training it's even worse. The speed of his control and his shooting is very important for us. Since he arrived he's brought a lot to the team and the group." His clinical finishing is equally striking: Malen needs just 2.18 shots on target per goal—an exceptionally high conversion rate that demonstrates his decisiveness since joining the club. Roma hope these performances will help sustain their push for a Champions League finish.

Roma remain in the hunt for a Champions League spot with three matches remaining in the Serie A season. The club sits one point behind Juventus and three points adrift of Milan, with four teams still competing for the final European places. What sets Roma apart in this crucial final stretch is their upward trajectory compared to their rivals—Juventus, Como, and Milan are all showing signs of struggle, while Gasperini's side has found momentum across all aspects of play. The article identifies five key factors working in Roma's favour during this decisive sprint. The first is the strengthened bond between Gasperini and the squad, who are now more compact and unified. Physical fitness is another advantage, with spring conditions suiting Gasperini's tactical approach. Roma's injury situation has improved significantly, with the squad near full strength. Defensively, the team has returned to form, described as a fortress, and has added attacking threat. The final factor cited is the impact of Donyell Malen, whose contribution is deemed crucial to Roma's push. With a similar fixture list to their rivals—including two derby matches and potentially tricky encounters against teams like Verona and Sassuolo—Roma's chances of securing European football hinge on maintaining this positive form and capitalizing on their competitors' recent struggles.