Ryan Friedkin boosts Roma dressing room ahead of derby

AS Roma have officially confirmed a pre-season friendly against Newport County on 4 August at Rodney Parade stadium in Wales, with kickoff at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italy time). The match is managed by former Leicester manager Fuchs and represents Roma's second test in the United Kingdom during their summer schedule. Information for visiting supporters' tickets will be communicated in the coming days. The Newport County fixture slots into Roma's busy pre-season calendar as they prepare for the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina. The friendly comes after an earlier match against Cardiff on 1 August, followed by another game at Brighton on 8 August. After these English fixtures, Roma will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August in their final warm-up before domestic competition resumes. These matches form part of the club's preparations under their summer training camp, with player fitness and tactical development a priority ahead of the new season.

France advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay, secured by a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé. The South American side proved a tough and physical opponent, but France maintained composure and achieved their objective. Midfielder Manu Koné was among those praised for his performance in a demanding match. Koné, who currently plays for AS Roma, delivered a composed display in midfield against Paraguay's aggressive approach. He spoke about the nature of the contest after the match, noting the physicality on display and the tactical awareness required to navigate it without being drawn into unnecessary confrontation. The midfielder highlighted France's preparation and intelligence in handling the situation. In his post-match comments to beIN Sports, Koné reflected: "It was a very hard match, but we are happy. Today we adapted. They were a rather... physical team! We choose our words carefully (smiles). We managed to stand up to our opponents in the challenges, we won 1–0, we were effective. There were some excessive interventions, but we didn't fall into their trap. The coach had warned us during the week. We were intelligent, we just wanted to win." France's disciplined approach proved decisive in securing progression to the next stage.

Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui spoke after Morocco's World Cup victory over Canada, which secured passage to the quarter-finals. He acknowledged that Canada started strongly and caught his team off guard in the first half, but Morocco adjusted in the second period to create more dangerous opportunities. El Aynaoui reflected on the tournament's difficulty, noting that all matches present challenges regardless of opponent. El Aynaoui confirmed ongoing contact with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his coaching staff during the international break. When asked about communication, he stated: "Yes. I am in contact with the staff, we speak by message." The midfielder remains a key player for Morocco despite an underwhelming individual performance in the Canada match. He dismissed any notion of seeking revenge against France, whom Morocco lost to in the previous World Cup, emphasizing that each remaining fixture demands full preparation. Should France progress and Morocco advance, a quarter-final meeting could see fellow Roma player Koné face El Aynaoui on the pitch, adding a giallorossi dimension to potential later-stage matchups.

Leandro Paredes, the former Roma midfielder, was interviewed by DAZN while competing for Argentina in a World Cup campaign. The interview touched on Paulo Dybala and speculation surrounding a possible move to Boca Juniors. Paredes expressed goodwill toward his former Roma teammate, indicating that regardless of whether Dybala joins Boca, he wishes him the best. Dybala remains a key figure in Roma's current squad. The comments reflect the broader context of player movements during international breaks, though specifics of any transfer discussion remain unclear.

Roma is preparing to submit an official offer for Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood in the coming days, reportedly worth around €45 million including bonuses. The bid is expected by Tuesday at the latest, with the club aiming to move ahead of competition from Atlético Madrid. Greenwood has emerged as a key transfer target as Roma reshapes its attacking options under new leadership. Artem Dovbyk's potential departure to Genoa is also warming up, with De Rossi's side exploring a loan move. However, the player's salary remains a significant obstacle to any deal, and Roma has shown some willingness to negotiate terms—though the financial viability still needs confirmation. Meanwhile, Roma is also considering alternatives for a deputy to Donyell Malen, with Club Bruges' Nicolò Tresoldi and Sassuolo's Andrea Pinamonti both on the radar; Lazio has also shown interest in Pinamonti. In separate news, Leandro Paredes commented on Paulo Dybala's future, saying: "For me it would be a pleasure to have him with me at Boca, then he will make his own decisions and surely will have many things on his mind." The transfer window continues to present multiple possibilities as Roma actively restructures its squad.

Leandro Paredes, midfielder for Boca Juniors, has spoken about Paulo Dybala's future in an interview with DAZN. Paredes stated: "For me it would be a pleasure to have him with me at Boca, then he will make his own decisions and surely he will have many things on his mind. For me it will be a pleasure if he comes with me, otherwise I always wish him the best because he is a great person." The tone of Paredes' comments represents a shift from his previous public pressure regarding Dybala, which was more intense when a move to Argentina seemed more concrete. Dybala is on the verge of signing a contract renewal with AS Roma, marking a significant development in the forward's career. The renewal is reportedly close to completion, and Dybala has essentially already decided to remain at the Giallorossi rather than return to South America. Sources indicate the renewal also involves a new role for the player at the club, positioning him as a key figure in Roma's future plans. While Paredes left the door open for a potential reunion at Boca Juniors, he acknowledged that Dybala will make the decision that suits him best. The Argentine playmaker's commitment to Roma appears firm, with a return to Argentina remaining a possibility only in the more distant future.

Roma's senior squad members have made a collective decision to back the club's sporting project, with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini among those signalling their commitment to remain. The move follows the Friedkin Group's backing of the team's direction. The core group of established players are betting heavily on the technical plan moving forward, representing a show of unity from within the squad at a crucial moment for the club.

Head coach Gasperini is urging the Friedkin Group to accelerate Roma's transfer activity ahead of the squad's return on 13 July. With only 13 players currently available and the club's pre-season camp fast approaching, the coach wants new signings in place as soon as possible. Gasperini has identified Mason Greenwood and Moreira as his top priorities to strengthen the squad immediately. Greenwood remains the primary target to elevate Roma's competitive level, though competition is intense. Fenerbahce continues to pursue the English winger, though Champions League qualification remains uncertain for the Istanbul club. Atlético Madrid has also shown interest but must first resolve the Julian Álvarez situation with manager Simeone. Al Hilal has made an offer, but Greenwood prefers to remain in Europe. For Moreira, Roma maintains contact with Strasbourg, where the midfielder's valuation sits around €40 million and negotiations are ongoing. Chelsea's potential involvement could complicate that deal. Additionally, Roma has scouted alternatives including Garnacho, though Real Sociedad manager Xabi Alonso intends to evaluate him further. The club is also monitoring Kumbedi for the wing position, while striker Dovbyk will not move to Genoa. Roma's senior players Pellegrini, Dybala, and Çelik must finalize contract renewals before the July 20 return of international players.

Roma's transfer activity and the club's operational speed have become the subject of debate among Italian radio commentators and former players. Piero Torri criticized the Friedkin Group's decision-making pace, stating: "The theme of speed is not understood by the Friedkin. Roma's timescales have slowed down and I believe Gasperini is not in agreement on this." The commentary reflects broader concern about how quickly the club is moving in the transfer market under new head coach Gasperini. Former Roma striker Roberto Pruzzo emphasized that the 2026 centenary season presents an opportunity to compete for silverware, noting that Paulo Dybala appears to want to remain at the club if suitable conditions are met. He also suggested that Gasperini's decision to retain Lorenzo Pellegrini signals the coach's commitment to the midfielder. Meanwhile, radio host Nando Orsi argued that Roma has been tolerant with Dybala given his limited playing time and output, and suggested that Pellegrini, at 30 years old, should consider his options carefully. The discussion centers on whether Roma can move quickly enough to complete Gasperini's target signings and retain key players before the preseason camp begins on 13 July. Questions surround potential acquisitions and whether the squad will be sufficiently strengthened for the centenary campaign.