Malen rejects Saudi Arabia move; Gasperini awaits his return to process World Cup disappointment

Mason Greenwood remains a target for AS Roma, but the club has not yet committed seriously to a move for the Marseille attacker. Journalist Alfredo Pedullà reported that while contacts between Roma and Greenwood's representatives have continued, the giallorossi have decided against accelerating negotiations. Greenwood is viewed as one of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's key targets to strengthen the squad, though he remains on a shortlist of multiple options rather than the sole focus. Pedullà stated: "The contacts have continued, the name should not be ruled out, the profile is very much liked, and dialogue with the entourage has progressed. But up to this moment Roma has decided not to push hard, even if the name (not the only one) should be kept within a very restricted list." He added that no meetings took place at Trigoria regarding the transfer on the day of reporting, and Roma is studying its strategy after concluding the June 30 deadline without sacrificing any key squad members. Roma is expected to present an opening offer to Marseille in the coming days, though it will reportedly fall short of the French club's asking price. The timeline and structure of any potential deal remain fluid as the transfer window progresses.

AS Roma and Swiss club Basel are nearing a final agreement regarding a long-running dispute over Riccardo Calafiori's future resale rights. The two clubs have reached consensus on the financial figure Basel will pay to Roma, with negotiations now focusing on payment terms to bring the matter to a definitive close. The dispute originated from Calafiori's transfer to Basel four years ago, followed by his subsequent move to Bologna and then to Arsenal. Roma had maintained that the 40% future resale clause included in the original Basel deal entitled the club to a percentage of all funds received by Basel from Calafiori's later sales—including the 50% portion Basel received from Bologna's sale of the defender to Arsenal for 45 million plus 5 million in add-ons. UEFA previously ruled in Roma's favour on this matter. The resolution of this dispute will bring several million euros to Roma's coffers. The agreement marks an end to years of negotiation and legal wrangling over the interpretation of the resale clause.

Daniele Placido, a 40-year-old Italian executive, has joined Barcelona as Head of Emerging Talents, leading the club's international scouting operations for young players aged 15–20 worldwide. Placido departs Modena after two seasons, where he served as Head of International Scouting. He brings extensive experience from his time in Italian football, including spells at Bologna and Roma, where he previously worked as a senior scout and later as youth academy director during the 2023–24 season under sporting director Tiago Pinto's oversight. Placido's departure represents the loss of an experienced youth development figure who was instrumental in Roma's emerging talent identification processes. His promotion to youth academy responsibility in 2023–24 reflected the club's confidence in his scouting and development capabilities. Now, Barcelona has secured his expertise to coordinate talent searches across global markets, positioning him as a key figure in the Catalan club's technical structure. Details of his specific responsibilities at Barcelona and the timeline for his transition remain unclear, though his appointment underscores the club's emphasis on identifying and developing young players with potential across Europe and beyond.

Evan Ndicka, AS Roma's defender, has been eliminated from the World Cup after Ivory Coast's defeat to Norway. Ndicka remained on the bench throughout the match, continuing a pattern of limited playing time at the tournament. The elimination adds to Roma's international departures, following earlier exits by teammates Celik and Malen from their respective World Cup campaigns. The bench role raises questions about Ndicka's form and selection decisions during the competition.

Evan Ndicka's World Cup campaign has ended without him taking the pitch. The AS Roma defender, who suffered an injury during the derby clash in late May, was unable to recover in time to feature for Ivory Coast. The team was eliminated after losing 2–1 to Norway, who advanced to the knockout stage. Ndicka departs the tournament without appearing in any match. For Roma, Ndicka is now expected to return to the capital imminently. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is awaiting his arrival for the second phase of pre-season training. Teammate Donyell Malen, who was eliminated from the World Cup yesterday, is also anticipated to rejoin the squad around 20 July. Gasperini has signalled his intention to keep both players at the club as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Norway's progression was secured by goals from Nusa and Erling Haaland, with a goal from Diallo temporarily levelling the match in between. Norway now faces Brazil in the next round.

Paolo Marcacci has published his weekly ratings (Pagellone) covering recent Serie A action. The column assesses performances from several players, including Donyell Malen of Roma, and reviews notable moments from the weekend's fixtures. Malen features among the players graded, alongside commentary on managerial decisions and individual errors from goalkeepers and outfield players across multiple matches.