Ndicka Called Up for Ivory Coast World Cup Squad

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.

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.

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.

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.

Transfer activity across Europe sees Manchester United's Mason Greenwood edging towards a move to Turkish club Fenerbahçe, while Atlético Madrid has stepped back from pursuing midfielder Yves Koné. Roma has made a firm statement regarding defender Wesley, declaring the Brazilian is not available for transfer and remains a key part of the club's plans. The emphatic stance underscores Roma's determination to retain a core group of players despite the ongoing transfer window activity elsewhere.

Roma has rejected a Chelsea inquiry for Wesley and will keep the Brazilian defender as a core piece of the squad under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club's ownership, the Friedkin Group, has decided to shield its top players from offers despite the need to generate transfer revenue. Chelsea approached Roma about Wesley but received a firm refusal from both the club and the player himself. Wesley is considered one of Gasperini's key tactical figures and will remain at the club for the upcoming season. Contrary to speculation, Inter Milan has registered no interest in the defender and is focused on alternative targets, with Wesley not on their reinforcement list. The Friedkin Group's commitment to keeping Wesley demonstrates their strategy to preserve the squad's core despite financial pressures that may require other player sales. Wesley has continued his fitness work during the summer break in Greece, maintaining his conditioning with running and gym sessions.

Mehdi Benatia has commented on El Aynaoui's time at Roma, noting that the midfielder played less than expected during his time with the Giallorossi. Benatia revealed he previously attempted to bring El Aynaoui to Marseille, suggesting the player was a target for the French club during his tenure there. The exact context of when these events occurred and Benatia's current role remain unclear from the available information.

Mehdi Benatia, a former Roma and Juventus defender now serving as an executive at Marseille, commented on Moroccan midfielder El Aynaoui in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Benatia expressed surprise at El Aynaoui's limited playing time at Roma despite recognizing his quality. He revealed an attempt to sign the player for Marseille but stated the cost was prohibitive. Benatia said: "He is very strong because he combines quality and quantity. I didn't understand why he played less at Roma than I would have expected. I tried to bring him to my Marseille, but he was too expensive." El Aynaoui has been a Roma midfielder in recent seasons, and the comments suggest the club may not have maximized his deployment. Benatia also praised other Moroccan players, particularly Bouaddi, whom he described as exceptional talent with significant market value—reportedly worth over €100 million—and unlikely to move to Italy due to cost. The interview was conducted during discussion of Morocco's World Cup campaign and performance.

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.

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.