2026 World Cup: Wesley withdraws through injury as Roma stars pursue glory

Roma continues to pursue options on the flanks, which head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified as the absolute priority for summer transfers. The club is reportedly interested in Zappacosta as a potential signing for the wing position. However, relations between Roma and Atalanta—Zappacosta's club—are described as strained, which could complicate any potential deal. Gasperini's focus on strengthening the defensive and attacking flanks reflects a key tactical priority for the coming season.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and vice president Ryan Friedkin are maintaining regular communication as they work together on Roma's transfer strategy. The two are in frequent contact via phone calls, meetings, and video conferences to discuss arrivals, contract renewals, and departures. Although they may operate at different speeds, both are aligned on the club's direction, according to reports. The primary transfer target remains Mason Greenwood, whom the ownership hopes to bring to Roma to strengthen the squad under Gasperini's leadership. The pair's collaboration has already proven successful—their working relationship facilitated the signing of Donyell Malen in the January transfer window. Beyond player acquisitions, discussions are also centered on financial matters related to player sales and contract extensions expected to be finalized soon. The overarching goal is to reinforce Roma ahead of the club's return to the Champions League and the centenary celebration. Gasperini's vision reportedly includes assembling a squad with significant attacking depth. The focus on recruitment reflects ambitions to compete at the highest level during a pivotal season for the Giallorossi.

Tony D'Amico is set to officially join AS Roma, with contract renewals emerging as his first priority in his new role at the club. The article suggests D'Amico will focus on securing extensions for key squad members as he settles into his position. Details regarding which players are targeted for renewal and the timeline for negotiations remain unclear.

Angeliño is spending the summer break in Mauritius with his family after a difficult 2024–25 season. The Spanish left-back suffered from bronchitis around October and subsequently struggled to maintain the physical condition demanded by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, becoming a peripheral figure in Roma's closing matches. His wife, Rocio Galindo, shared holiday photos on Instagram. Angeliño faces an uncertain future at Roma. Gasperini is notoriously demanding of his full-backs, and Wesley has already been deployed on the left wing to cover the absence of the former Lipsia defender. The Spaniard has until mid-July to convince Gasperini of his worth during the upcoming pre-season. Though his contract extends until 2028, Roma will explore a sale if Gasperini remains unconvinced. A recovery and retention would benefit both sides, allowing the club to focus its transfer activity elsewhere.

Roma is intensifying efforts to sign Juan Manuel Ruggeri, an Atlético Madrid defender, as the club looks to strengthen its flanks. Ruggeri has been on Roma's radar since January, but interest has now become more concrete. The player's agents, Manuel Montipò and Tullio Tinti, confirmed the interest during an interview with Sky Sport, stating: "Atlético is very happy to keep him, but in football anything can happen. He has requests both in Italy and abroad." The agents also acknowledged potential interest from other top clubs, including Juventus, though they were less direct when asked specifically about Roma. Roma seeks additional reinforcement on the wings beyond Wesley, the current squad option. Previous target Dodo from Fiorentina appeared to lose momentum, with recent developments stalling that line of inquiry. Ruggeri, a former Atalanta player now at Atlético Madrid, represents an alternative avenue for the club's recruitment strategy. When pressed about Juventus's possible involvement, the agents suggested: "It is a top club and as such looks at strong players. There could also be interest." However, regarding Roma specifically, their response remained more evasive, hinting at competition from other suitors. The situation remains fluid, with multiple clubs potentially pursuing the defender's signature.

Younes, father of Roma winger Wesley and a former professional tennis player ranked 14th on the ATP tour, spoke about his son's first season at the Giallorossi. Wesley joined Roma with ambitions to play for a major European club and establish himself immediately with the Moroccan national team—goals he has reportedly achieved. Younes expressed pride in his son's early progress but acknowledged the challenges of professional football, including injuries Wesley has already suffered: a cut above the eye during the Africa Cup of Nations final, a broken nose, and knee problems. He emphasized his concern for his son's physical wellbeing whenever Roma play. Wesely is now focused on the upcoming World Cup, starting with Morocco's match against Brazil. His father highlighted that Roma's third-place Serie A finish has secured Champions League football for next season, which brings Wesley significant satisfaction. Younes described his son as fearless and highly competitive, noting: "He's considered a fighter by everyone, including his coaches. I'd say he's even worse than me. You see it on the pitch: if he makes a mistake, he immediately becomes aggressive because he's disappointed in himself. And that's exactly what makes him so strong." Beyond football, Younes emphasized the importance of proper nutrition and lifestyle in preventing injuries, areas where he actively guides his son.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and vice president Ryan Friedkin are maintaining regular communication as they work together on Roma's transfer strategy. The two are in frequent contact via phone calls, meetings, and video conferences to discuss arrivals, contract renewals, and departures. Although they may operate at different speeds, both are aligned on the club's direction, according to reports. The primary transfer target remains Mason Greenwood, whom the ownership hopes to bring to Roma to strengthen the squad under Gasperini's leadership. The pair's collaboration has already proven successful—their working relationship facilitated the signing of Donyell Malen in the January transfer window. Beyond player acquisitions, discussions are also centered on financial matters related to player sales and contract extensions expected to be finalized soon. The overarching goal is to reinforce Roma ahead of the club's return to the Champions League and the centenary celebration. Gasperini's vision reportedly includes assembling a squad with significant attacking depth. The focus on recruitment reflects ambitions to compete at the highest level during a pivotal season for the Giallorossi.

Donyell Malen has faced criticism from Dutch football circles following disappointing performances in Netherlands pre-World Cup friendlies. The Roma forward failed to score in the warm-up matches and is now at risk of losing his starting position ahead of the tournament opener. Head coach Koeman has spoken bluntly about wasted chances, with Memphis Depay emerging as a potential replacement. Kenneth Perez, a former Danish footballer and ESPN pundit, delivered a particularly harsh assessment. Perez recounted a conversation with Italian attendees at a golf tournament, saying: "I was at a golf tournament where there were many Italians, and they said: 'Malen demonstrates the problem with Italian football. How mediocre it has become, if he can excel in this context'. They think their championship is worth nothing." Perez predicted that Depay would become the primary forward for the World Cup, noting that coaches find Malen's missed opportunities frustrating. Malen still has opportunities to improve his situation and silence the mounting criticism, but will need to convert chances effectively to regain favour with the coaching staff. His struggles in pre-tournament fixtures have raised questions about his form heading into a major competition.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified Crysencio Summerville as his primary target for the left wing, with the Dutch winger from West Ham available following the club's relegation to the Championship. Summerville reportedly costs around €35 million, and Gasperini's interest dates back two years to the winger's standout season at Leeds United in 2023–24, when he won the Championship Player of the Year award. Donyell Malen, Roma's current right winger, has been speaking with Summerville during international break preparations, with both players sharing the same agency. The club aims to complete the signing once international competitions conclude. Gasperini's admiration for Summerville stems from impressive statistical performances at Leeds. In the 2023–24 Championship season, Summerville scored 21 goals and topped the league in expected goals (xG), demonstrating exceptional finishing ability and positioning. He also led in expected assists (xA), showing his capacity to create opportunities. His production declined during West Ham's difficult campaign, but Gasperini has a proven track record of extracting strong performances from underperforming Premier League players, as shown with Lookman and Malen. Roma is also pursuing Mason Greenwood for the right wing, with early steps expected in the coming days. Summerville, born in Rotterdam, grew up in an Afro-Surinamese family and progressed through Dutch youth football, winning the Under-17 European Championship in 2017. He is in a long-term relationship with Janique Monteiro and became a father in December 2025, which he has stated provided significant personal motivation.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has signalled to AS Roma's leadership that he wants to keep the club's defensive core intact for the coming season. The four pillars of the backline—goalkeeper Mile Svilar, defenders Gianluca Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso—are central to Gasperini's plans as he aims to build on Roma's recent stability. Svilar is regarded as an exceptional goalkeeper whom the club cannot afford to lose. Hermoso's annual renewal clause was exercised in May, while Mancini has been secured by Gasperini and awaits a contract extension with no doubts surrounding his future. Ndicka, the final member of the quartet, has been subject to months of speculation about a potential departure, but losing a centre-back of his quality does not appeal to Gasperini. Gasperini's emphasis on defensive continuity reflects the improvements made during his tenure. Roma's defence conceded only 31 goals in the recently concluded Serie A campaign, the second-best record in the division. After an initial period of adaptation, the coach established stability at the back. By retaining this defensive foundation, Gasperini intends to push Roma even higher in the league standings. The club faces the challenge of balancing Gasperini's clear wishes to maintain squad cohesion while managing various contract situations and transfer rumours affecting the group.

Mile Svilar has established himself as a crucial figure for AS Roma, with statistics placing him among the continent's top goalkeepers. The analysis benchmarks his performance against leading European shot-stoppers, reflecting his rise as a reliable custodian for the Giallorossi. Svilar's numbers demonstrate his consistency and shot-stopping ability at the highest level, confirming Roma's confidence in him as a long-term solution in goal. His emergence as a genuine contender among Europe's best represents a significant asset for the club as they compete domestically and in continental competition.

AS Roma has turned down a substantial offer from Chelsea for goalkeeper Mile Svilar, signalling the club's determination to retain the Serbian shot-stopper despite financial pressures. The club considers Svilar a non-negotiable asset, unwilling to sell even when facing budgetary challenges and the appeal of a lucrative Premier League move. Svilar has established himself as a key figure in Roma's squad, and the rejection underscores the Friedkin Group's commitment to building a competitive team around established players rather than pursuing short-term financial gains.