Pruzzo on Roma's transfer strategy; Torri on contract renewals

Actor Luca Zingaretti, a long-time Roma supporter, has offered his perspective on the club's current state under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. He praised Roma's Champions League qualification, achieved in the final matchdays after winning the Derby della Capitale and Juventus's loss, describing it as an important achievement after several years without European football at that level. However, Zingaretti highlighted areas for improvement, stating: "It is not yet a fully Gasperini Roma. We managed to buy few players truly functional to the coach's ideas. I hope two or three correct signings arrive on the flanks and also another striker. Because Ferguson and Dovbyk, at least so far, have not adapted to Gasperini's football." Regarding former manager Claudio Ranieri's departure, Zingaretti acknowledged the emotional aspect while accepting the separation as necessary. He said: "Ranieri will always remain a person who gave a great deal to Roma. Then, within a club, differences of opinion can arise on how to carry forward a project and it is right that the roads divide. But I hope this is a wound from which we can heal as soon as possible." Zingaretti's comments reflect broader expectations that Roma will make strategic summer transfers to fully implement Gasperini's tactical vision.

Ottavio Bianchi, who managed Roma from 1990 to 1992, spoke on Tele Radio Stereo 92.7 about the club's recent Champions League performance. Bianchi described Roma's involvement in European competition as a pleasant surprise. The former manager's comments reflect on the team's achievement in reaching or competing in the Champions League. Details on the specific context of his remarks remain unclear from the available information.

Ottavio Bianchi, who managed Roma from 1990 to 1992, has praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini for achieving Champions League qualification this season, calling it a remarkable achievement. Speaking on Tele Radio Stereo 92.7, Bianchi described Gasperini's work as "very valid" and emphasized his role as an added value, noting that "working at Roma is always very difficult and he has passed every test in a short time." Bianchi stressed that a coach cannot succeed alone, requiring strong backing from the club, support staff, and players. He used a Formula 1 metaphor to illustrate the point: "The team is a Formula 1 machine: you can be a very good driver, but if you don't have the right chassis or good tyres you never win." He highlighted that Gasperini has extracted maximum performance from available resources this season. Bianchi also acknowledged that winning at Roma remains inherently challenging due to the Roma-Lazio rivalry, which dominates local football culture. Bianchi reflected on his own Roma tenure, acknowledging it was difficult for him personally and recalling the 1991 UEFA Cup campaign—a season of strong performance that ended disappointingly. He emphasized that playing and coaching at Roma is straightforward, but everything off the pitch becomes significantly harder.

Roma's incoming sporting director Tony D'Amico will need to reinforce the defence alongside the planned attacking overhaul, with the club facing potential squad gaps depending on Ndicka's future. Although the attack is the primary focus—built around Malen and Dybala with Pellegrini in support—the defence will require significant investment. The backline was Roma's strongest asset under Gasperini's management this season, forming the foundation for Champions League qualification, but numerical reinforcement is essential. With Kumbulla set to return, Ziolkowski departing for game time, and Ndicka's status uncertain due to Financial Fair Play concerns, Roma would be left with only four senior centre-backs (Hermoso, Mancini, Ghilardi, and possibly Ndicka) for a demanding season requiring at least two players per position. That would leave two additional defenders short. Several targets have been identified. Oosterwolde is viewed as a promising profile but carries a price tag of €20–25 million, becoming viable mainly if Ndicka departs. Bologna's Lucumì, available on an expiring contract, is another option at roughly €20 million—far lower than Bologna's initial €28 million demand. Solet represents an ideal profile but costs at least €25 million and Inter are already advanced in negotiations. Muharemovic is ready to leave Sassuolo, though domestic competition is driving up his price. Gasperini has been clear that Roma needs experienced, quality defenders—both a high-level starter and a reliable backup.

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.

Maurizio Setti, former Verona president, has praised Tony D'Amico—recently appointed to Roma's sporting structure alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini—as a capable director with strong player-selection instincts and two decades of football experience. Setti highlighted D'Amico's understated approach and his ability to work harmoniously between ownership and the pitch, noting that D'Amico performed this role effectively at Atalanta, where he acted as a filter between the club's management and technical operations. Setti cautioned that Roma faces a unique challenge in Italian football, stating: "The only spectre he will have to be careful about is Romanità; it is extremely difficult to do football in Rome because there are positive or negative influences." He suggested the club's primary weakness is not strategic incompetence but rather a lack of people driven by genuine passion for results. "Roma is missing not presidents like me, but people who wake up in the morning and would kill to achieve results," Setti said. He also noted that Roma has historically suffered from too many decision-makers without a single daily commander on the pitch to enforce the ownership's vision. Regarding next season, Setti believes Roma could become a serious title contender if the transfer market is handled well, particularly in attack—an area Gasperini will reportedly prioritize. He expressed confidence in D'Amico's recruitment abilities, citing his success bringing players like Donyell Malen to the club.