Gasperini and Ryan Friedkin in continuous contact over transfers and squad planning

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.

Ryan Friedkin of the Friedkin Group ownership is personally accelerating Roma's transfer market activity. The owner is conducting phone calls, meetings, and video calls to secure signings, with the goal of delivering at least two reinforcements to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Roma's ownership is taking a hands-on approach to strengthen the squad ahead of the remainder of the season.

AS Roma is pursuing multiple transfer targets as the January window progresses. Greenwood remains a key priority, with additional work reportedly underway regarding Vaz. On the defensive flank, Ruggeri has emerged as a potential option to strengthen the squad's wing options. Details remain unclear on the exact status of negotiations or timelines for any of these moves. The club appears to be exploring several avenues simultaneously to address squad needs across different positions this winter.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, begins tonight with 48 teams competing in 104 matches over 39 days—the largest tournament in history. Six AS Roma players are competing, though Wesley has withdrawn due to injury at the last moment. The tournament features a new format: 12 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group and eight best third-place finishers advancing to a knockout stage that includes a round of 16. The final on July 19 in New York will include a 30-minute interval entertainment featuring Coldplay, Madonna, and Shakira. Two Roma players stand out as genuine contenders for silverware: Manu Koné, who will anchor France's midfield under Didier Deschamps as they seek revenge against Argentina after losing the 2022 final on penalties, and Donyell Malen, a key attacking weapon for the Netherlands under Ronald Koeman. Notably, Italy will not participate. Mile Svilar cannot represent Belgium due to diplomatic issues affecting his nation. Four additional Roma players are in the tournament: defender Evan Ndicka with Côte d'Ivoire, facing Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao in their group; Zeki Çelik with Turkey in a group containing Australia, the United States, and Paraguay; and two Morocco-based players, El Aynaoui and Salah Eddine, competing in a group with Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.

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.