Roma Resume Talks for Brazilian Striker Yuri Alberto

AS Roma is preparing to appoint a new director of sport, with D'Amico warming as a leading candidate for the position. The club will prioritize the upcoming match against Verona before proceeding with the selection process. Details regarding D'Amico's background, contract terms, and the timeline for an official announcement remain unclear.

AS Roma is accelerating its search for a new sporting director following the departure of Massara after less than a year in the role. The primary target is D'Amico, who is set to leave Atalanta. Roma's hierarchy is expected to move quickly on the appointment after the team's match against Verona, with Monday marking the start of a decisive week for the club's future plans. D'Amico and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini previously worked together at Atalanta, where they won the Europa League in 2023. The two have already held discussions at the Olimpico ahead of Roma's April fixture against Atalanta. Atalanta will replace D'Amico with Giuntoli, who is prepared to sign a contract through 2029. Meanwhile, Tognozzi—another candidate on Roma's radar—is expected to move to Juventus, though he also has an offer from Nottingham Forest and appears to be moving away from Roma's reach.

Head coach Gasperini is targeting a twin-pronged attacking approach for the upcoming summer transfer window, with Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee and Donyell Malen forming the core of Roma's offensive plans. The club has maintained interest in Zirkzee throughout the season despite a failed move in January, when managerial changes at United derailed negotiations. Roma believes a renewed push in the coming weeks remains viable, particularly if the club secures Champions League qualification. Roma's hierarchy recognizes the need to provide Gasperini with a deeper, more complete squad with enhanced attacking quality. Zirkzee appeals not only for his versatility—capable of partnering with Malen or operating as a playmaking centre-forward—but also because his recent form and limited playing time (629 minutes total this season) may allow Roma to negotiate at a lower price point. The club is reportedly prepared to offer between €20–25 million to Manchester United, a figure viewed as realistic given the player's current circumstances. Both attackers are Dutch internationals, and their contrasting characteristics could suit Roma's tactical needs across a season involving three competitions, mirroring Gasperini's preferred setup of twin forwards with a number 10 behind them.

Head coach Gasperini is targeting a twin-pronged attacking approach for the upcoming summer transfer window, with Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee and Donyell Malen forming the core of Roma's offensive plans. The club has maintained interest in Zirkzee throughout the season despite a failed move in January, when managerial changes at United derailed negotiations. Roma believes a renewed push in the coming weeks remains viable, particularly if the club secures Champions League qualification. Roma's hierarchy recognizes the need to provide Gasperini with a deeper, more complete squad with enhanced attacking quality. Zirkzee appeals not only for his versatility—capable of partnering with Malen or operating as a playmaking centre-forward—but also because his recent form and limited playing time (629 minutes total this season) may allow Roma to negotiate at a lower price point. The club is reportedly prepared to offer between €20–25 million to Manchester United, a figure viewed as realistic given the player's current circumstances. Both attackers are Dutch internationals, and their contrasting characteristics could suit Roma's tactical needs across a season involving three competitions, mirroring Gasperini's preferred setup of twin forwards with a number 10 behind them.

Roma have renewed their interest in acquiring Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United, despite signing Donyell Malen in January. The decision to pursue Malen over Zirkzee was primarily driven by economic rather than technical considerations, but Roma remain focused on the former Bologna striker. Under the right circumstances, the Giallorossi plan another attempt to bring him to Rome. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Zirkzee as an ideal complement to Malen, believing the pair would form a quality attacking duo. Zirkzee, 25, has struggled significantly at Old Trafford since his €42.5 million transfer in 2024. He has started just once in recent months and has largely been limited to bench appearances, recording two goals and one assist in 25 appearances this season. A late coaching change in the winter window previously halted Roma's pursuit, but the forward's prospects of leaving Manchester United appear stronger heading into the summer. Zirkzee previously excelled in Serie A, scoring 12 goals and providing 7 assists in 37 games during his best Italian campaign. Several top Serie A clubs—Napoli, Juventus, and Milan—have been linked with him at various points. However, Manchester United's asking price has consistently remained high despite his limited impact at the club. Whether that fee proves negotiable this summer remains to be seen.

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.

Roma is actively working on player departures to meet Financial Fair Play requirements ahead of the appointment of a new sporting director. Inter has renewed contact with French midfielder Manu Koné, with fresh negotiations scheduled after the Friedkin Group vetoed a deal last summer. The talks are described as having genuine potential to succeed this time. Defender Ziolkowski, seeking more playing time, has fielded rejected offers from January and now faces multiple Premier League bids reportedly in the region of €20 million. Fellow defender Ndicka, who recently parted ways with his long-standing agent, has received several proposals from English and German clubs, where he previously played for Eintracht. A potential swap involving Ndicka and Juventus midfielder Koopmeiners has been confirmed as under discussion, though the Dutchman's substantial salary of €4.5 million net per season remains a significant obstacle. In attacking areas, Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk could remain at Roma but may depart if concrete offers arrive, having held discussions with Juventus as they search for a new striker. Young talent Venturino, still officially owned by Genoa, has attracted strong interest from Como, where manager Cesc Fabregas has spoken directly with the 2006-born prospect. Venturino is expected to be bought back and resold by Roma in the coming days.

Roma won the derby della Capitale 2–0 against Lazio in matchday 37 of Serie A. Paulo Dybala was substituted during the match and received applause from the crowd upon his exit. Artem Dovbyk returned to action in the fixture. The victory extends Roma's position in the league, though full details of the goals and tactical setup remain unclear from the available information.

Roma and Lazio announced their official starting XI ahead of the Derby della Capitale on 17 May. Gasperini selected a 3-4-2-1 formation with Svilar in goal, a back three of Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso, and an attacking setup featuring Dybala and Malen in advanced roles alongside Cristante. Lazio, managed by Sarri, deployed a 4-3-3 with Furlanetto in goal and an attacking trident of Cancellieri, Dia, and Noslin. Roma faced a critical match with the obligation to win; anything less than victory could severely damage their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Lazio, operating under emergency circumstances and without objectives to pursue, intended to play with pride and attempt to derail Gasperini's side. The match represented a high-stakes encounter in the capital, with Roma's European aspirations hanging in the balance. Both benches included depth options, with Roma having Soulé, El Shaarawy, and Dovbyk available, while Lazio could call upon Pedro, Isaksen, and other alternatives from their squad.