Roma's Champions League qualification could seal Paulo Dybala renewal

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is planning to strengthen Roma's attack by pursuing both Joshua Zirkzee and Donyell Malen as a combined package for the summer transfer window. Zirkzee, currently at Manchester United, has remained on Roma's radar despite a failed January move that collapsed following Erik ten Hag's departure and Michael Carrick's appointment. The club believes a fresh attempt is viable in the coming weeks, particularly if Roma secure Champions League qualification. Roma's hierarchy recognizes the need to provide Gasperini with a deeper, more complete squad featuring improved offensive quality. Zirkzee appeals for his versatility—he can operate alongside Malen or function as a creative center-forward, offering tactical flexibility similar to Gasperini's preferred formations at Bergamo, where he frequently deployed two attacking players with a supporting playmaker. The two Dutch players would form what the club describes as an 'Orange' partnership. Zirkzee's Manchester United move has proven underwhelming, with the forward managing only 629 minutes of action this season. Roma estimates a deal could be completed for €20–25 million, a fee United cannot demand given his limited playing time and overall disappointing campaign. Closing this transfer will depend on Roma's summer budget allocation and their ability to meet both players' availability.

AS Roma is advancing negotiations to appoint a new sporting director, with contacts expected to intensify after the current Serie A season concludes. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's preferred candidate is Tony D'Amico, currently sporting director at Atalanta, who is also being pursued by AC Milan. D'Amico is reportedly inclined toward Roma given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Milan's managerial situation and the future of Allegri at the San Siro. D'Amico will leave Atalanta imminently following the arrival of Giuntoli. However, Roma has alternative options if negotiations with the Atalanta executive stall. Sogliano, who has placed his contract renewal with Verona on hold, remains a more accessible alternative target for the Friedkin Group. A move involving the pairing of Tognozzi and Paratici is considered more complicated, while other candidates are not currently under consideration by Roma's ownership. The recruitment process is expected to unfold in the coming days and weeks as the season winds down. Details on the timeline and final decision remain unclear, though Gasperini's input will likely carry significant weight in the final selection.

Roma is planning ahead for the summer transfer market, with attacking reinforcements a priority. The club is targeting Nusa as a primary objective, while Pepe has also attracted interest. Roma's European qualification status will significantly influence the club's budget, strategy, and transfer targets for the upcoming window. Details remain unclear on the structure of potential moves or timelines for formal approaches.

Roma will be without several key players for their final Serie A match of the season against Verona at the Bentegodi, two days away. Lorenzo Pellegrini continues to manage a flexor muscle injury and trained separately again, while Tsimikas has been ruled out due to influenza symptoms. These absences join existing gaps caused by Wesley's suspension and Ndicka's muscle injury, leaving head coach Gasperini with a depleted squad for what the club views as a crucial match. The fixture holds significant importance in Roma's season, though the exact context of its importance remains unclear. Gasperini is expected to announce his final squad list on the day before the match. In attack, the trio of Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Donyell Malen is almost certain to feature, forming the offensive core Roma will deploy despite the defensive and midfield constraints. The accumulation of injuries and unavailability creates a challenging situation for Roma's closing fixture, with Pellegrini's ongoing flexor issue the most persistent concern among the outfield players sidelined.

Head coach Gasperini has selected Roma's full attacking arsenal for the final match of the season against Hellas Verona, deploying a three-pronged forward setup featuring Donyell Malen as the central striker with Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala in supporting roles. This attacking combination represents what the club considers its best available talent for chasing Champions League qualification. Soulé may be playing his last match in Roma colours given interest from Aston Villa, though the Argentine winger is keen to end his spell with a goal—he has not scored since the second match of the season's return phase against Sassuolo. Malen and Dybala have developed strong understanding; two of Dybala's four assists in 2026 have led to Malen goals, including strikes against Torino and Parma. Since joining in January, Malen has scored 13 Serie A goals and lifted Roma's scoring average from 1.2 per match in the first 20 rounds to 1.94 thereafter—a level matching Gasperini's best seasons at Atalanta. Malen's contract has been secured via automatic purchase option for €25 million with a four-year deal, allowing him to depart for international duty with the Netherlands as a confirmed Roma player. The Dutch forward is chasing a personal milestone: with 13 goals from January onward, he aims to become at least the second-highest scoring Dutchman in a single Italian season, behind Marco Van Basten (25) and level with Ruud Gullit (15).

Paulo Dybala's future at Roma appears increasingly settled, with the club having submitted an official contract renewal offer. The Argentine forward is expected to remain with the Giallorossi next season, though terms include a reduced annual salary. Negotiations between Dybala and Roma are ongoing, with final agreement anticipated soon after the crucial Champions League qualification decider at Verona. Dybala is set to start for the third consecutive match in that fixture, where referee Sozza will take charge. Roma have won only twice in their last ten matches, with controversial incidents having marked some of those games. On the administrative front, the search for a new sporting director continues, with D'Amico remaining the leading candidate. Sogliano has received a contract extension offer from Verona but is taking time to decide, while the possibility of appointing a duo of former Juventus figures—Tognozzi and Paratici—has emerged as an alternative option. Additionally, Porto midfielder Pepê has attracted Roma's interest in the transfer market.