Pellegrini hesitant on contract renewal as Dybala awaits club's next move

Tony D'Amico's arrival as Roma's sporting director was made official a week ago, but his ability to operate in the role has been restricted until 1 July due to contractual obligations with Atalanta. Reports suggest the club is close to resolving the final contractual issues with Atalanta to secure an early release. If the resolution comes in the coming hours, D'Amico could become fully operational as early as Friday, marking a significant turning point for Roma's transfer activity. The accelerated timeline would allow D'Amico to play an active role in both outgoing transfers and incoming acquisitions during a crucial period. Marseille is reportedly pressing to offload Greenwood, and Roma need to complete that deal before 30 June. The window is tight, but D'Amico's earlier availability could provide the momentum needed to push through negotiations on multiple fronts. D'Amico will serve as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's right-hand man in shaping Roma's squad strategy. The exact timing of his early operational start remains dependent on finalising the Atalanta separation, but sources suggest this could be resolved imminently.

AS Roma is actively working to sign Dodó, a Brazilian right-back born in 1998 currently at Fiorentina, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini seeks to strengthen the club's flanks ahead of the upcoming season. The Giallorossi have initiated contact with Fiorentina over a deal for the defender. Fiorentina's initial asking price is €18 million, though negotiations could potentially reach a compromise around €12–13 million. Fiorentina's director Paratici recently signaled openness to the player's departure, stating: "He has ambitions, we will evaluate the best outcome." Napoli had also been tracking Dodó, but that interest has cooled as the Partenopei redirect their focus toward acquiring Gila. Roma's pursuit reflects the club's priority to bolster its external defensive positions, with the signing aimed at providing Gasperini with defensive reinforcement on the flanks. The transfer window remains active, and discussions between the two clubs are ongoing as Roma seeks to finalize the arrangement in the coming weeks.

Roma is actively pursuing reinforcements on the flanks during the transfer window, with head coach Gasperini prioritising full-back additions. The club is evaluating several candidates: Zappacosta, Dodò, Ruggeri, and Moreira. Each player brings different qualities and experience levels to the table. The search for wing-back upgrades reflects Gasperini's tactical vision for the squad. Securing the right external defenders remains central to Roma's recruitment strategy as the transfer market develops.

Three Italian football stories dominated the day's news. Fiorentina sporting director Paratici signalled openness to selling defender Dodo. Separately, plans for a new stadium project are progressing. Most relevantly for Roma supporters, contract renewal negotiations with Lorenzo Pellegrini are continuing at a slow pace. Pellegrini, born in Rome and a key midfielder for AS Roma, remains a central figure in the club's plans. The status of his contract extension remains uncertain as talks proceed without urgency.

AS Roma right-back Celik is on the verge of signing a contract extension through 2029, with negotiations between the club's director and his representative progressing steadily. An agreement is expected in the coming days, though minor financial differences remain to be resolved. Celik, currently on international duty, is set to earn just under 3 million euros per season under the new terms. Director D'Amico is simultaneously managing renewals for two other key players: Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Pellegrini's extension is described as a matter of days away, with talks intensifying and a two-year deal reportedly ready for signature. Dybala awaits Roma's response to a counter-proposal he submitted earlier. Head coach Gasperini requested the retention of his trusted players before the club shifts focus to summer transfer targets in July. Roma's primary transfer objective remains Mason Greenwood, though Marseille continues to block a move and is seeking approximately 50 million euros plus bonuses. The resolution of these renewal negotiations is expected to clear the way for the club's incoming recruitment strategy.

AS Roma is preparing for a decisive meeting with Lorenzo Pellegrini's representatives to negotiate a contract extension. The talks are expected to take place in the coming days, with both sides expressing a shared desire to continue working together. New sporting director Tony D'Amico has reinvigorated negotiations, which had stalled as Pellegrini came close to leaving the club during the previous three transfer windows. Pellegrini is aware of Roma's need to reduce wage costs and has signaled willingness to accept reduced terms. Roma's proposal centers on a fixed annual salary of approximately €3 million plus performance-based bonuses tied to individual and team objectives, down from his current €6.5 million net plus bonuses. Beyond finances, Pellegrini wants clarity on his role within the squad that head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is building. Gasperini has emerged as one of Pellegrini's strongest advocates, consistently praising him as an exemplary professional. The coach previously stated he sees in Pellegrini "very high potential," expecting him to become "an athlete and player of high level." After two difficult seasons, Pellegrini has recovered with strong performances, re-establishing himself as a locker-room leader. Roma is working to find the right formula for an agreement, with Gasperini continuing to push for his retention. The foundations for a deal are in place, and upcoming negotiations could bring the renewal closer to completion.

AS Roma right-back Celik is on the verge of signing a contract extension through 2029, with negotiations between the club's director and his representative progressing steadily. An agreement is expected in the coming days, though minor financial differences remain to be resolved. Celik, currently on international duty, is set to earn just under 3 million euros per season under the new terms. Director D'Amico is simultaneously managing renewals for two other key players: Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala. Pellegrini's extension is described as a matter of days away, with talks intensifying and a two-year deal reportedly ready for signature. Dybala awaits Roma's response to a counter-proposal he submitted earlier. Head coach Gasperini requested the retention of his trusted players before the club shifts focus to summer transfer targets in July. Roma's primary transfer objective remains Mason Greenwood, though Marseille continues to block a move and is seeking approximately 50 million euros plus bonuses. The resolution of these renewal negotiations is expected to clear the way for the club's incoming recruitment strategy.

Radio commentators and former players across Rome's radio stations have shared their views on Roma's transfer strategy and title prospects. Piero Torri suggested that Paulo Dybala would likely start in Champions League quarter-finals ahead of Summerville, and cautioned against promising playing time to new signings. He noted that Gasperini is an uncompromising figure—players must earn their place—and indicated the club has a general agreement with Greenwood pending Marseille's need to sell before June 30. Without competing interest in Greenwood, Roma could negotiate the price down. However, veteran commentators expressed skepticism about the club's ambitions. Nando Orsi argued that Roma lacks the depth of Inter and Napoli at squad level, highlighting that Inter possesses Lautaro, Bonny, Thuram, and Esposito, while Roma has limited attacking alternatives if Donyell Malen is unavailable. He suggested the club must expand its quality across 3–4 more starting positions rather than relying on 13–14 players. Roberto Pruzzo was direct in his assessment: "Greenwood and Summerville do not seem like profiles capable of raising the level to compete for the championship. If Roma wants to try to win the league, it must bring in 3–4 starting players while maintaining its core group." The commentary reflects broader concern that current transfer targets may be insufficient for a genuine title push.

Gian Piero Gasperini will be the oldest head coach in Serie A next season as the league's average coaching age drops to 49.2 years—down from 51.7 four years earlier. Several clubs have appointed younger or less established managers, including Aquilani (Sassuolo), Abate (Torino), Tedesco (Bologna), and Rubén Amorim (Milan). Roma has chosen to maintain continuity with Gasperini, who left Atalanta Bergamo convinced he can achieve significant success at the capital club. Gasperini has declared he will give himself three years to accomplish something major at Roma and believes the club can compete for the title with proper investment. His appointment represents a contrasting strategy in a league increasingly turning to younger, less proven coaches. The signing of new sporting director D'Amico reunites a partnership that achieved excellent results at Bergamo. D'Amico will have until 30 June to manage player sales required by financial fair play regulations and negotiate contract renewals for Paulo Dybala, Çetin Çelik, and Lorenzo Pellegrini—all strongly requested by Gasperini. Following that deadline, the focus will shift to inbound transfers, with the goal of building a squad matching Gasperini's ambitions and hunger for results.