Roma continues search for new sporting director as Manna deal appears unlikely

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.

AS Roma has shifted focus to summer transfer activity following the conclusion of the June 30 deadline window. The club is preparing a significant offer for a player, with details reportedly involving a move likely to materialise in July rather than before the end of the current transfer period. Gasperini's Roma can now concentrate on incoming recruitment as the club pursues its summer targets. The exact nature of the bid and timeline remain unclear, though the club appears committed to securing the player's arrival in the coming weeks.

Roma is under pressure to generate revenue through player sales before the June 30 deadline to avoid financial sanctions from UEFA. The club is pursuing profit-building transfers to meet regulatory requirements, with the situation reaching a critical stage as the deadline approaches. Without achieving sufficient plusvalenze (capital gains from player transfers), Roma risks facing disciplinary action from European football authorities. The financial framework governing European clubs requires compliance with strict spending rules, and failure to generate expected player sales could result in UEFA penalties.