Vlasic emerges as Gasperini's transfer target after impressing against Roma

Roma is actively working to strengthen its defensive flanks ahead of the new season under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club has shown initial interest in Ruggeri, a left-back previously managed by Gasperini at Atalanta and now at Atletico Madrid. Roma is also pursuing Dodo from Fiorentina as a full-back option. Ruggeri was already monitored by Roma in January and could emerge as a priority target during the summer transfer window. Gasperini is seeking specific players who can integrate effectively into his tactical system, and recruiting former squad members he has already worked with is seen as an opportunity to accelerate integration. Wesley is described as the only full-back position certainty for the upcoming campaign. The futures of current defenders Çelik and Angelino remain unclear, creating additional vacancies that the club must address. Beyond the flanks, Roma faces broader squad development needs across multiple areas, including attacking roles, as Gasperini prepares for his first full season in charge. Ruggeri represents the type of profile Roma is targeting—an established defender with prior experience under the new coach. The summer window will likely see multiple signings as the club aims to provide Gasperini with a competitive squad capable of challenging across multiple competitions.

Niccolò Pisilli is set to captain Italy's youth side in their match against Greece, following an impressive performance in the victory over Luxembourg. The Roma centrocampist has been one of the standout players in this age-group campaign and is expected to deliver another strong showing. Head coach Gasperini's work has been instrumental in Pisilli's development, and Roma are monitoring his continued progress closely. Beyond Pisilli's individual performance, Roma have a secondary focus for the match: Tzolis, a winger currently at Brugge. The player has long been on Roma's radar and remains a target, though the club has not yet made a concrete move. Bringing Tzolis to Rome would require a fee exceeding €30 million, making it a significant investment. The Grecia–Italia fixture offers Roma staff an opportunity to assess Tzolis's quality in person and gather additional insights that may inform future recruitment decisions. The match thus presents a dual interest for the Giallorossi: celebrating Pisilli's development under Gasperini's guidance and evaluating a potential future teammate in Tzolis. While Roma remain patient in their pursuit of the Brugge player, tonight's game could provide valuable information to support any future transfer strategy.

Artem Dovbyk's standing at Roma has deteriorated significantly in his second season. Purchased for €35 million, the Ukrainian striker scored 17 goals in 45 appearances during his first year—a respectable return given tactical constraints under previous managers. This season, however, has been marked by decline: in 14 matches, he has managed only 3 goals. An injury sustained against Lecce late in the campaign sidelined him for much of the remainder. The emergence of Donyell Malen as the preferred forward has further reduced Dovbyk's role, while his failure to convert key chances—including a missed penalty against Lille—has drawn criticism. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has attempted to support Dovbyk despite him not fitting the manager's preferred attacking profile. However, those efforts have yielded no turnaround. Roma now faces a difficult position: the initial €35 million investment has lost roughly half its value in just over two years. Club leadership is exploring limited options—either a permanent sale or a loan deal to restore the player's confidence and goal-scoring form elsewhere. Turkish club Trabzonspor has reportedly tabled an offer of approximately €10 million, which Roma considers insufficient at present. Dovbyk's salary of roughly €3.5 million net annually complicates potential moves, as few clubs can afford such terms. Rome's preference is to limit losses while enabling the player to rediscover form away from the Stadio Olimpico, with hopes of reassessing his future value afterward.