Roma's Pellegrini faces absence for crucial Verona trip; Gasperini seeks attacking reinforcements

Manchester United has expressed strong interest in signing Roma midfielder El Aynaoui, according to recent reports. The English club has made contact with Roma's management, but the Italian club has signalled that €30 million may not be enough to secure the player's departure. Roma views El Aynaoui as a key asset and has no intention of offering a discount on any transfer fee. El Aynaoui's market value has risen considerably following his impressive performances at the World Cup with Morocco, where he became a regular starter from the opening match. Beyond Manchester United, other European clubs including Barcelona, Everton, and Liverpool have also shown interest. Roma's position is firm: the club does not wish to sell the midfielder after just one season, viewing him as an integral part of their project moving forward. El Aynaoui himself is keen to demonstrate his abilities in his second year under the guidance of head coach Gasperini, having established himself as a cornerstone of Roma's midfield. The player's World Cup success and Roma's reluctance to part with him have combined to strengthen his negotiating position, putting pressure on interested suitors to match the club's valuation if they wish to proceed.

Neil El Aynaoui continues to draw interest from major European clubs following a strong World Cup performance. Roma has responded by taking a firm stance to protect the player amid widespread transfer speculation. The defender's form at international level has made him a target for several top European sides. Details remain unclear regarding the specific clubs involved or the exact nature of Roma's resistance to potential offers.

Two AS Roma players are set to face each other in the 2026 World Cup semifinals. Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui are both representing their respective national teams at the tournament. The match will pit the two Giallorossi squad members against one another on football's biggest stage, highlighting Roma's contribution to the competition. Details about their performances and team assignments remain unclear from the available information.

AS Roma has fundamentally altered its approach to recruitment following the departure of former sporting director Massara and the appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach. Young prospects acquired for future development—including Robinio Vaz, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi, Venturino, and Ferguson—are now considered surplus to requirements. The club has signaled these players may depart, either permanently or on loan, as Gasperini prioritizes immediate-impact signings over long-term investments. Gasperini's vision emphasizes players ready to contribute immediately rather than prospects requiring development time. Ziolkowski, a Polish defender, has reportedly been rejected multiple times by the coach and could leave permanently, with Nottingham reportedly interested at a valuation of 20 million euros. Similarly, Vaz, a French forward, no longer fits the profile of a reliable backup to Donyell Malen. The club has also rejected Bosnian midfielder Alajebgovic (class 2007), whom Massara had long tracked, with Gasperini deeming him too inexperienced despite interest from Bayer Leverkusen at 35 million euros. Roma's new sporting director D'Amico is recalibrating the transfer strategy to align with Gasperini's demands for quality and readiness rather than raw potential. Targets like Mason Greenwood and Molina represent this shift—experienced international players capable of performing on Europe's biggest stages. With Roma now competing in the Champions League, the club believes there is no margin for experimental signings.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has requested that AS Roma secure a permanent deal for Lorenzo Venturino, who arrived at the club on a paid loan from Genoa during the summer transfer window. Roma are in contact with Genoa regarding the player's future status. Venturino's loan arrangement included a purchase option, and Gasperini's backing suggests he views the defender as an important part of his squad plans moving forward.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to keep winger Lorenzo Venturino at Roma beyond his current loan spell, which expires this summer. Roma arrived at negotiations with Genoa to extend the 2006-born player's loan for another year. The club has no intention of exercising the €7 million purchase option included in the agreement struck last January when Venturino joined from Genoa, but Gasperini wants to continue monitoring the player's development in the coming season. Venturino's future remains uncertain as Serie A side Como have also expressed interest in the winger, though they have not yet made a concrete move. Negotiations between Roma and Genoa also involve forward Tommaso Baldanzi, who moved in the opposite direction last January. Roma values the former Empoli player at a minimum of €10 million, while Genoa are seeking a discount. It is possible that Venturino could be included in talks as a makeweight in the Baldanzi deal. During his time at Roma this season, Venturino made 10 appearances but failed to register a goal.

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.

Juventus have decided to move on from goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio following a disappointing season in which he lost his starting role to Mattia Perin. The club initially pursued AS Roma's Mile Svilar as their top replacement target, but Roma rejected a substantial €42 million offer. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has no intention of selling Svilar, particularly as Roma prepare for their first Champions League appearance in nearly a decade. With Svilar off the table, Juventus have shifted their focus to Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez. The Argentine goalkeeper has impressed for both club and country, helping Villa win the Europa League last season and secure a top-four Premier League finish. However, his contract with Villa runs until 2029, and the club has set an asking price of €15 million. Juventus have already deemed Villa's valuation excessive given Martinez's age—he will turn 34 in September—though he could serve as a short-term solution for the Bianconeri. Martin continues to perform well during World Cup duty with Argentina, having conceded just three goals as his nation advanced to the round of 16.

Mile Svilar is preparing for the upcoming season with renewed determination to compete for AS Roma in both domestic and European competitions. The goalkeeper is undergoing intense training sessions as the club prepares for its summer retreat, signaling his readiness to be a key figure for the Giallorossi in the campaign ahead. Svilar's focus on pre-season conditioning reflects Roma's ambitions to challenge for silverware and establish themselves as Champions League contenders. His commitment during this preparatory phase underscores his importance to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's plans for the new season. The club is prioritizing fitness and tactical development as players return for their summer training schedule. Details regarding the specific timing and location of Roma's summer retreat remain unclear, though the club is evidently prioritizing comprehensive preparation ahead of competitive fixtures. Svilar's determination to deliver for Roma highlights the squad's collective mindset as they look to make an impact both domestically and on the European stage.

Roma successfully resisted attempts by rival clubs to acquire key players on June 30th. Juventus approached the club for Mile Svilar, while Inter and Porto both made offers for Niccolò Pisilli. Additionally, Matías Soulé rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, with his agent expressing frustration over how the negotiations were handled. Despite pressure from multiple directions, Roma declined all approaches and maintained their squad. UEFA has granted Roma a one-month extension on the deadline for including player sales in their financial records due to World Cup scheduling, though this grace period does not apply to new acquisitions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his desire to retain Wesley, Evan N'Dicka, and Manu Koné as cornerstones of his squad, and the club hierarchy has prioritized keeping the manager satisfied. Roma intends to argue to UEFA that they can manage financial losses through peripheral transactions if necessary. Failure to meet Financial Fair Play requirements could expose Roma to fines exceeding €10 million and squad restrictions in 2027–28, though harsher penalties are considered unlikely. The club's strategy appears focused on retaining its top-tier players while strengthening the squad around the margins in the coming weeks.