Roma players in World Cup 2026 Round of 16: Malen, El Aynaoui, Ndicka, and Koné all compete on Tuesday

Roma news roundup covering multiple developments. Paulo Dybala is reportedly making a sacrifice for the club, though specific details remain unclear. In the transfer market, Roma has shown interest in a player named Puerta. Separately, Inter Milan has not submitted an offer for Niccolò Pisilli, suggesting the midfielder remains available for Roma's squad planning. These updates reflect ongoing activity in recruitment and squad management as the club navigates the current transfer window.

French midfielder Adrien Rabiot has spoken positively about his Roma teammate Manu Koné during France's World Cup campaign. Rabiot highlighted the differences between Koné and fellow midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni, noting that while Tchouameni operates deeper to build play from defence, Koné excels in dribbling and creating passing opportunities to break defensive lines. Rabiot stated: "The difference between Tchouameni and Koné? They are rather different players. Aurélien drops back and builds play between the centre-backs. Manu, instead, perhaps has greater propensity for dribbling and searching for passes to unlock opposition lines. You have to adapt, but they are two excellent players with whom it is easy to play." Koné has emerged as one of Roma's key players competing at the tournament alongside Donyell Malen. The midfielder featured in matches against Iraq and Norway after missing the opening game, accumulating 180 minutes and establishing himself as a regular starter under France manager Deschamps. Rabiot confirmed that both players have developed good understanding in midfield, including when they played together during France's encounter with Norway. The positive assessment underscores Koné's importance to Roma's plans as the club looks forward to the coming season.

Juventus director Giovanni Carnevali has publicly addressed the club's interest in Bologna defender Lucumì, a player also linked with AS Roma. Speaking at an industry dinner in Rimini on 29 June, Carnevali stated that while Lucumì interests Juventus, the player's current €28 million release clause makes a move difficult. He said: "He has a clause of 28 million, he can interest us but not at these conditions." Lucumì has been repeatedly mentioned as a Roma target, particularly in scenarios where Roma might sell defender Ndicka. Roma could be monitoring the situation around Lucumì as the summer transfer window opens. Carnevali also addressed other transfer matters, indicating that Juventus is working to rebuild relationships with Paris Saint-Germain regarding forward Kolo Muani. The executive explained: "Certainly both the goalkeeper and the forward are fundamental pieces. We must work calmly. Today there are high economic conditions and we cannot make any mistakes. Kolo Muani is a possibility, you know the difficulties in the past and the relationship with PSG is being repaired. Acceptable conditions must be found." The remarks came as Serie A's summer market activity formally began with a gala dinner bringing together club directors. Details remain unclear on Roma's immediate pursuit strategy for Lucumì or other defensive targets.

French midfielder Adrien Rabiot has spoken positively about his Roma teammate Manu Koné during France's World Cup campaign. Rabiot highlighted the differences between Koné and fellow midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni, noting that while Tchouameni operates deeper to build play from defence, Koné excels in dribbling and creating passing opportunities to break defensive lines. Rabiot stated: "The difference between Tchouameni and Koné? They are rather different players. Aurélien drops back and builds play between the centre-backs. Manu, instead, perhaps has greater propensity for dribbling and searching for passes to unlock opposition lines. You have to adapt, but they are two excellent players with whom it is easy to play." Koné has emerged as one of Roma's key players competing at the tournament alongside Donyell Malen. The midfielder featured in matches against Iraq and Norway after missing the opening game, accumulating 180 minutes and establishing himself as a regular starter under France manager Deschamps. Rabiot confirmed that both players have developed good understanding in midfield, including when they played together during France's encounter with Norway. The positive assessment underscores Koné's importance to Roma's plans as the club looks forward to the coming season.

The Friedkin Group has signaled it will not rush into bargain sales of key Roma players before the June 30 deadline tied to the club's UEFA settlement agreement. The ownership is willing to risk potential sanctions to build a strong squad for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Matías Soulé, widely expected to depart, has shown little enthusiasm for Saudi Arabian offers and has received a surprise inquiry from Juventus. Midfielder Édouard Mendy's preference for the Premier League has cooled with Arsenal and Chelsea shifting focus elsewhere, leaving only Atlético Madrid's offer on the table—one Mendy is reluctant to accept. Defender Evan Ndicka remains a target for Inter but is considered untouchable by Gasperini, alongside Mile Svilar, Wesley, Niccolò Pisilli, and Donyell Malen. The Friedkin family has reaffirmed its resolve: no distressed sales. Roma believes it can address UEFA's requirements through other means, including recent player sales, wage restructuring from Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini renewals, foreign broadcast rights (€20 million), compensation from Nicolò Bove (€10 million), and ongoing disputes with Basel over the Riccardo Calafiori resale (€6 million). The club expects to face a financial penalty rather than more severe sanctions, given its track record of compliance over three years of UEFA monitoring. Roma's aim is to avoid becoming a feeder club and instead retain a competitive nucleus capable of competing across three fronts.

Donyell Malen and several other Serie A forwards failed to score at the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Malen, operating as a right winger rather than a central striker for the Netherlands under Koeman's system, was positioned far from goal and unable to find the net. His role away from the penalty area affected his overall performance during the tournament. Malen was not alone among Serie A attackers who struggled. Lautaro Martinez, Inter's leading scorer with 17 league goals, remained goalless across two matches for Argentina. Similarly, Marcus Thuram of Inter (who scored 13 goals in Serie A) failed to register despite limited playing time with France. Nico Paz and Kenan Yildiz of Turkey also went without goals. By contrast, only two Serie A attackers managed to find the net: Rafael Leão of Milan scored against Uzbekistan, while David of Juventus struck a hat-trick against Qatar. Other major Serie A forwards—including Douvikas, Hojlund, Simeone, Krstovic, and Davis—either failed to qualify or did not receive call-ups to their respective national teams.

Mehdi Benatia has commented on El Aynaoui's time at Roma, noting that the midfielder played less than expected during his time with the Giallorossi. Benatia revealed he previously attempted to bring El Aynaoui to Marseille, suggesting the player was a target for the French club during his tenure there. The exact context of when these events occurred and Benatia's current role remain unclear from the available information.

Mehdi Benatia, a former Roma and Juventus defender now serving as an executive at Marseille, commented on Moroccan midfielder El Aynaoui in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Benatia expressed surprise at El Aynaoui's limited playing time at Roma despite recognizing his quality. He revealed an attempt to sign the player for Marseille but stated the cost was prohibitive. Benatia said: "He is very strong because he combines quality and quantity. I didn't understand why he played less at Roma than I would have expected. I tried to bring him to my Marseille, but he was too expensive." El Aynaoui has been a Roma midfielder in recent seasons, and the comments suggest the club may not have maximized his deployment. Benatia also praised other Moroccan players, particularly Bouaddi, whom he described as exceptional talent with significant market value—reportedly worth over €100 million—and unlikely to move to Italy due to cost. The interview was conducted during discussion of Morocco's World Cup campaign and performance.

AS Roma players competing at the World Cup have experienced contrasting fortunes in the group stage. Zeki Çelik has been eliminated with Turkey after finishing last in his group, while Mady Koné progressed with France, who defeated Norway 4–1. Evan Ndicka's Ivory Coast will face Norway on the same day as Koné's France takes on Sweden. In a Roma derby clash scheduled for the night of 29–30 June at 3 a.m. Italian time, Donyell Malen's Netherlands will meet the Moroccan side featuring El Aynaoui. The tournament's knockout phase begins on Sunday with the Round of 16 matches. Ndicka has yet to feature in the competition owing to an injury sustained over a month ago in the Derby della Capitale but hopes to start against Norway. Malen, representing the Netherlands, will be in action alongside Moroccan players, setting up a match between two Roma representatives on opposite sides. The progression of Roma's World Cup contingent continues to shape the club's fixture planning and injury recovery schedules heading into the tournament's decisive stages.

Inter Milan continue to pursue Roma defender Ndicka despite head coach Gian Piero Gasperini marking him as unsellable. The Ivorian centre-back has emerged as a potential solution to Roma's financial obligations to UEFA, which must be met by 30 June. Inter, who have lost De Vrij and Acerbi, are seeking a top-tier defender and could close the deal for under €35 million including bonuses. However, Gasperini had designated Ndicka as non-transferable, making any sale difficult from a tactical perspective. Roma faces mounting pressure to complete player sales before the 30 June deadline to avoid UEFA sanctions. While Matías Soulé continues to weigh offers from Saudi Arabia and Mats Koné remains non-committal, the club's ownership is determined to satisfy financial requirements. The Friedkin Group remains confident of resolving the situation without incurring heavy penalties. Separately, contract renewal discussions with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala are postponed until after 30 June, though optimism persists both players will extend their deals. Zeki Çelik is reportedly close to signing his renewal, while Pellegrini and Dybala are awaiting concrete signals from the club. The immediate focus remains on outgoing transfers rather than new signings.

AS Roma is moving forward with a concrete offer for Mason Greenwood, the English forward currently at Marseille. The club has reportedly agreed terms with the player and plans to present a bid worth approximately €40 million plus performance bonuses in the coming days. Marseille is eager to sell Greenwood by a specified deadline for financial reasons, though Turkish side Fenerbahce remains a competing suitor for his signature. Simultaneously, Roma is progressing toward contract renewals for Paulo Dybala and defender Zeki Çelik, both deals described as imminent. Negotiations for midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini's extension are expected to take slightly longer. The club is also actively monitoring several other targets across multiple positions, including midfielder Bergvall and attacking players Tel and O'Riley from the Premier League, as well as exploring options such as Freuler, who recently became available as a free agent following his departure from Bologna. Greenwood remains Roma's primary summer objective, and the coming days will be critical in determining whether the club can finalize his acquisition ahead of Marseille's internal deadline.

AS Roma players competing at the World Cup have experienced contrasting fortunes in the group stage. Zeki Çelik has been eliminated with Turkey after finishing last in his group, while Mady Koné progressed with France, who defeated Norway 4–1. Evan Ndicka's Ivory Coast will face Norway on the same day as Koné's France takes on Sweden. In a Roma derby clash scheduled for the night of 29–30 June at 3 a.m. Italian time, Donyell Malen's Netherlands will meet the Moroccan side featuring El Aynaoui. The tournament's knockout phase begins on Sunday with the Round of 16 matches. Ndicka has yet to feature in the competition owing to an injury sustained over a month ago in the Derby della Capitale but hopes to start against Norway. Malen, representing the Netherlands, will be in action alongside Moroccan players, setting up a match between two Roma representatives on opposite sides. The progression of Roma's World Cup contingent continues to shape the club's fixture planning and injury recovery schedules heading into the tournament's decisive stages.