Malen secure, but Gasperini wants more attacking reinforcements

Roma news roundup covering multiple developments. Paulo Dybala is reportedly making a sacrifice for the club, though specific details remain unclear. In the transfer market, Roma has shown interest in a player named Puerta. Separately, Inter Milan has not submitted an offer for Niccolò Pisilli, suggesting the midfielder remains available for Roma's squad planning. These updates reflect ongoing activity in recruitment and squad management as the club navigates the current transfer window.

Juventus director Giovanni Carnevali has publicly addressed the club's interest in Bologna defender Lucumì, a player also linked with AS Roma. Speaking at an industry dinner in Rimini on 29 June, Carnevali stated that while Lucumì interests Juventus, the player's current €28 million release clause makes a move difficult. He said: "He has a clause of 28 million, he can interest us but not at these conditions." Lucumì has been repeatedly mentioned as a Roma target, particularly in scenarios where Roma might sell defender Ndicka. Roma could be monitoring the situation around Lucumì as the summer transfer window opens. Carnevali also addressed other transfer matters, indicating that Juventus is working to rebuild relationships with Paris Saint-Germain regarding forward Kolo Muani. The executive explained: "Certainly both the goalkeeper and the forward are fundamental pieces. We must work calmly. Today there are high economic conditions and we cannot make any mistakes. Kolo Muani is a possibility, you know the difficulties in the past and the relationship with PSG is being repaired. Acceptable conditions must be found." The remarks came as Serie A's summer market activity formally began with a gala dinner bringing together club directors. Details remain unclear on Roma's immediate pursuit strategy for Lucumì or other defensive targets.

Matías Soulé is spending his summer break in Argentina while Roma explores ways to move him to generate funds for other signings. The Argentine winger was identified early as a potential sale by both the club and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, but no suitable offers have materialized so far. Roma risks closing the transfer window without selling him and facing financial penalties related to accounting requirements. Soulé has rejected approaches from Saudi Arabian clubs and continues to monitor the market from afar while watching his national team's progress. On social media, Roma supporters have largely rallied behind him, posting messages urging him to stay. Fans have praised his professionalism and loyalty throughout the speculation, noting his potential for improvement. However, some supporters have encouraged him to accept a move to Saudi Arabia to help Roma balance its accounts. The situation remains unresolved as the end of June approaches. Soulé's commitment to Roma and his reluctance to move abroad have won over the majority of the fanbase, though the club's financial pressures mean his future remains uncertain. The transfer saga highlights Roma's broader challenges in restructuring its squad this summer.

French midfielder Adrien Rabiot has spoken positively about his Roma teammate Manu Koné during France's World Cup campaign. Rabiot highlighted the differences between Koné and fellow midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni, noting that while Tchouameni operates deeper to build play from defence, Koné excels in dribbling and creating passing opportunities to break defensive lines. Rabiot stated: "The difference between Tchouameni and Koné? They are rather different players. Aurélien drops back and builds play between the centre-backs. Manu, instead, perhaps has greater propensity for dribbling and searching for passes to unlock opposition lines. You have to adapt, but they are two excellent players with whom it is easy to play." Koné has emerged as one of Roma's key players competing at the tournament alongside Donyell Malen. The midfielder featured in matches against Iraq and Norway after missing the opening game, accumulating 180 minutes and establishing himself as a regular starter under France manager Deschamps. Rabiot confirmed that both players have developed good understanding in midfield, including when they played together during France's encounter with Norway. The positive assessment underscores Koné's importance to Roma's plans as the club looks forward to the coming season.

Four AS Roma players advanced to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the conclusion of group play. The Roma contingent will all see action on Tuesday as the Round of 16 begins. Donyell Malen features for the Netherlands against Morocco in a direct matchup with Roma teammate El Aynaoui, who represents Morocco. Later that day, Evan Ndicka will make his tournament debut with Ivory Coast against Norway at 7 p.m., while Aurélien Koné plays for France against Sweden at 11 p.m. Koné has impressed during the group stage with two strong full-match performances and has drawn praise from football legend Patrick Vieira. These four players represent a significant Roma presence in the tournament's latter stages. The club also has Salah-Eddine, who recently completed loan spells at PSV and is expected to leave Roma soon. Meanwhile, Roma defender Zeki Çelik was eliminated when his Turkey side failed to advance from their group. The Round of 16 continues through the week, with Brazil and Germany competing on Monday before Roma's players take centre stage on Tuesday. The Round of 16 concludes ahead of the Round of 8, scheduled to begin on 4 July.

The Friedkin Group has signaled it will not rush into bargain sales of key Roma players before the June 30 deadline tied to the club's UEFA settlement agreement. The ownership is willing to risk potential sanctions to build a strong squad for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Matías Soulé, widely expected to depart, has shown little enthusiasm for Saudi Arabian offers and has received a surprise inquiry from Juventus. Midfielder Édouard Mendy's preference for the Premier League has cooled with Arsenal and Chelsea shifting focus elsewhere, leaving only Atlético Madrid's offer on the table—one Mendy is reluctant to accept. Defender Evan Ndicka remains a target for Inter but is considered untouchable by Gasperini, alongside Mile Svilar, Wesley, Niccolò Pisilli, and Donyell Malen. The Friedkin family has reaffirmed its resolve: no distressed sales. Roma believes it can address UEFA's requirements through other means, including recent player sales, wage restructuring from Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini renewals, foreign broadcast rights (€20 million), compensation from Nicolò Bove (€10 million), and ongoing disputes with Basel over the Riccardo Calafiori resale (€6 million). The club expects to face a financial penalty rather than more severe sanctions, given its track record of compliance over three years of UEFA monitoring. Roma's aim is to avoid becoming a feeder club and instead retain a competitive nucleus capable of competing across three fronts.

Roma continue to work on departures in the transfer market, though not all sales appear certain to be completed before the end of the current window. The club is managing potential exits, including those involving Dovbyk and Ziolkowski, with details on timing remaining unclear. Such delays could push several transactions into the summer transfer period. Roma's outgoing activity reflects broader squad adjustments as the club balances both immediate needs and longer-term planning.

Roma continues to work on multiple fronts to reshape its attacking lineup for the upcoming season, but must first resolve the situation surrounding striker Dovbyk. Betis reportedly made an offer for the player, which was turned down. The club is balancing several transfer options as it plans its offensive setup, with Dovbyk's future at Roma remaining a key point of discussion in the coming weeks.

AS Roma is working to move several players out before the June 30 transfer deadline, though the process is proving complicated. The departures of Dovbyk and Ziolkowski are on hold and both players may leave in July instead. Mannini, a youth player returning from a loan spell at Juve Stabia, and Cherubini, who spent the last season on loan at Sampdoria in Serie B, are among the secondary squad members Roma is attempting to offload. The club continues to pursue moves for other players as well, with negotiations ongoing for several outgoing transfers. The June 30 deadline is creating pressure to finalize sales, but the timeline for some key departures remains fluid. Negotiations involving Soulé and Koné are also growing more complicated as the deadline approaches. Roma has been active in the transfer market both in terms of outgoings and incomings, seeking to reshape the squad ahead of the new season. The window's final days are expected to bring clarity on which players will depart and which will remain. Separately, Romano completed his medical examination on deadline day and is set to sign with Cagliari, generating an estimated profit of approximately 4 million euros for Roma. Discussions with PSV regarding another player continue, though Roma awaits a more convincing offer.

Roma news roundup covering multiple developments. Paulo Dybala is reportedly making a sacrifice for the club, though specific details remain unclear. In the transfer market, Roma has shown interest in a player named Puerta. Separately, Inter Milan has not submitted an offer for Niccolò Pisilli, suggesting the midfielder remains available for Roma's squad planning. These updates reflect ongoing activity in recruitment and squad management as the club navigates the current transfer window.

Matías Soulé appears set to reject an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli, despite Roma's desire to sell him. Al Ahli attempted to persuade the 23-year-old Argentine without submitting an official bid to Roma. Soulé has expressed reluctance to move to a second-tier league at this stage of his career and would have preferred a move to Germany, but neither Borussia Dortmund nor Stuttgart have matched Roma's €40 million asking price. RB Leipzig also inquired without making a firm approach. With the June 30 transfer deadline approaching, Soulé is likely to remain at Roma beyond that date, though the club continues to seek his departure. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly informed Roma's management that Soulé is not among the untouchable players in the squad, particularly with incoming signing Greenwood occupying a similar role. Roma would accept €35 million plus add-ons to generate profit and reinvest funds elsewhere. Paulo Dybala is also close to leaving the club. Roma's management awaits offers that are expected to arrive after the June 30 deadline. Soulé's departure remains probable but is unlikely to be to Saudi Arabia, with German clubs potentially returning with serious proposals in the coming transfer window.

Zeki Celik is close to signing a new three-year contract with AS Roma following Turkey's elimination from the World Cup at the group stage. The club and player have reached an agreement in principle, with an announcement expected in the coming days. However, Celik will not be Gasperini's starting right-back. The head coach has requested reinforcement on the right flank and views Celik as a versatile option who can operate on either wing or as a right centre-back to rotate with Gianluca Mancini. Gasperini's primary target for the right-back position is a younger profile than Molina, who is considered a secondary option at 28 years old. Dodô is not being pursued, as Roma has not made any formal approach for the player. On the left side, Wesley remains a key part of the plans after rejecting Chelsea and is ready for the upcoming season. Ruggeri is not a target for Roma. The club will seek an alternative to Wesley on the left, with Angeliño expected to depart. Roma continues to work on contract extensions for key players, with Celik's renewal progressing alongside talks with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini regarding their own deals.