Vasquez set to return to Roma as Besiktas declines purchase option

AS Roma has completed the sale of defender Saud Abdulhamid to French club Lens on a permanent deal. Lens exercised its right to buy the Saudi defender following his loan spell, paying Roma €3.5 million (plus the €500,000 loan fee already paid). The transfer generates a modest profit of approximately €2 million for the club, adding to recent gains from the sale of Sangaré to Elche. Meanwhile, Roma has rejected an offer from Atlético Madrid reportedly worth €45 million for midfielder Koné, deeming it insufficient. The club continues discussions with other clubs regarding targets, including ongoing contact with Greenwood. In parallel, Tony D'Amico is set to be announced as Roma's new sporting director imminently—the announcement was expected within days. D'Amico has agreed a three-year contract worth €1.5 million per season and was recently in Bergamo to complete final formalities with Atalanta before signing with the Giallorossi. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini was also in Bergamo on the day of reporting for a separate engagement at the Academy of Sport for Solidarity, attending a 50-year celebration of a tennis tournament.

Davide Frattesi, Inter's midfielder, continues to be linked with AS Roma in the transfer market. His future remains uncertain and appears connected to developments surrounding Konè. Roma have maintained interest in the 25-year-old as a potential midfield reinforcement. Details remain unclear on the specific timeline and conditions that would facilitate any move, though the connection between Frattesi's availability and Konè's situation suggests these transfers may be interdependent in the current market dynamics.

Roma are monitoring Davide Frattesi as a potential midfield target, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini viewing him as a possible replacement should Koné depart. Frattesi, currently at Inter, is expected to leave the club this summer. He came through Roma's youth academy and previously came close to joining the club in 2023 before Inter secured him from Sassuolo. His contract at Inter runs until 2028, though his valuation has decreased in recent years — Inter previously sought €35 million but that asking price is no longer in play. There are currently no direct contacts between Roma and the player. Gasperini reportedly holds Frattesi in high regard and sees him as a suitable option if Roma lose Koné. The French midfielder is considered among the club's potential departures this summer. However, Roma's primary defensive focus remains on contract extensions rather than outgoings, with Gianluca Mancini close to securing a new deal through 2029 with an option until 2030. Mancini is central to Gasperini's plans and has no intention of leaving. No player swap involving Mancini is being considered. Gasperini has requested contract extensions for several key players including Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Celik as the squad is built around his trusted core for the upcoming season. Further developments regarding Frattesi's potential transfer are expected soon.