Roma's Serie A campaign begins on Monday; friendly with Cardiff confirmed. Spanish clubs target El Aynaoui

Serie A has confirmed the schedule for the first five matchdays of the upcoming season, which begins the weekend of 22–23 August. Roma will kick off their campaign on Monday, 24 August at 20:45 against Fiorentina at the Olimpico. The following week, the Giallorossi travel to Lecce for another Monday fixture on 31 August at 18:30. Roma's third matchday sees them return home on Saturday, 5 September to face Atalanta. A week later, on Sunday, 13 September at 12:30, Roma travel to Turin to play Juventus — though this fixture could be pushed to Monday if Roma's Champions League schedule demands it. The opening sequence concludes with a significant early-season test: Roma host defending Serie A champions Inter on Saturday, 19 September at 18:00. Mile Svilar, the club's goalkeeper, is already preparing for the new campaign with gym work even during his holiday period.

AS Roma's opening schedule for the 2026–27 Serie A season has been confirmed, with the Giallorossi beginning their campaign on a Monday. The first four matches of the season have now been set, establishing the early rhythm of Roma's domestic challenge under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Details of the specific opponents and exact dates remain unclear from the available information. Roma will aim to build momentum from the start as they pursue silverware in the new season.

Serie A's 2026–27 campaign will kick off on Saturday, August 22, with matches scheduled only at 18:30 and 20:45 for the opening two rounds. The league has adopted simplified programming for the first fortnight, with a maximum of two matches running simultaneously to manage the summer heat. Roma will begin their season at the Olimpico against Fiorentina; specific kickoff times and dates will be announced in July. From matchday three onward, the traditional weekend schedule returns. The midday Sunday slot at 12:30 will not be introduced until the fourth round, after the first international break. This staggered approach reflects the league's attempt to balance fixture congestion with player welfare during the hottest months of the year. Meanwhile, Mile Svilar continues preparation for the new campaign, training in the gymnasium even during his vacation period.

Neil El Aynaoui has attracted attention from two top La Liga clubs following impressive performances at the World Cup. Roma's valuation of the player has been noted in reports from Spain. Details remain unclear regarding the specific clubs involved and the exact fee Roma has placed on the player. El Aynaoui's World Cup displays have elevated his profile significantly, prompting interest from major European sides. His potential departure would represent a notable loss for Roma if the transfer were to progress.

Neil El Aynaoui, a Moroccan midfielder at AS Roma, has attracted the attention of Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, according to reports from El Nacional. The clubs are closely monitoring the player's development, with Barcelona appearing particularly interested. Joan Laporta and Deco view El Aynaoui as an attractive prospect both in terms of technical ability and transfer cost, with Roma's valuation of the midfielder estimated at around €30 million—a figure Barcelona considers affordable. El Aynaoui has previously expressed a childhood dream of playing at Camp Nou and maintains a connection to Barcelona, having spent part of his early years in the city. The interest from two major Spanish clubs creates a delicate situation for Roma. The club views El Aynaoui as an important technical asset and has no intention of selling him, particularly given the likely departure of Konè from the squad. The presence of Barcelona and Real Madrid's interest means Roma must carefully assess its negotiating position and understand the player's own desires regarding a potential move. Details remain unclear regarding any formal approach or negotiations. El Aynaoui's recent performances have raised his profile internationally, prompting the Spanish clubs' closer attention to his progress.

AS Roma faces a challenging summer transfer window as the ongoing World Cup is delaying player sales at a critical time. The club must generate approximately €55 million in player sales by 30 June to meet financial targets, but potential buyers are waiting to assess which players improve their market value during the tournament before making concrete offers. This mirrors past seasons when sales of players like Volpato and Ibáñez had helped Roma meet deadlines, but 2024 presents a more complex scenario. Clubs, sporting directors, scouts, and intermediaries are all watching the World Cup rather than committing to transfers. Players expected to attract interest—including Ndicka (despite Inter's ongoing attention), Koné (who debuted against Iraq), El Aynaoui (a standout performer for Morocco), and Dovbyk (for whom Roma has not received an acceptable offer)—remain in limbo. Even players not competing, such as Soulé (attracting German interest) and Dovbyk, are affected indirectly, as the tournament can shift valuations and club priorities. The window closes in just over a week, leaving Roma little time to sell assets without accepting undervalued offers. The World Cup continues to create uncertainty across the entire market, with most clubs in no rush to finalize deals until the tournament concludes and clearer valuations emerge.