Wesley targets pre-season return as rehabilitation advances

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.

The Netherlands and Ivory Coast progressed in World Cup action, with Donyell Malen and Evan Ndicka involved in their respective national team matches. Malen featured for the Dutch, while Ndicka appeared for Ivory Coast and is reportedly moving closer to full fitness. Both players are on Roma's roster and their international performances carry implications for the club's squad availability in the coming weeks. Details of the specific match outcomes and Ndicka's injury status remain unclear from the available information.

Roma rejected multiple offers for their players ahead of the June 30th financial deadline, turning away approaches from Juventus for Mile Svilar and from Inter and Porto for Niccolò Pisilli. Matías Soulé declined a move to Saudi Arabia, with his agent expressing frustration over how the transfer was handled. Despite external interest, Roma's hierarchy remained firm in retaining their core squad members. UEFA granted Roma and all clubs a tacit extension through July, allowing an additional month to include sales in last season's financial statements due to World Cup scheduling. However, this extension does not apply to new acquisitions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants to keep Wesley, Evan N'Dicka, and Manu Koné, and the club's leadership is unwilling to upset the manager. Roma plans to argue to UEFA that peripheral squad moves will be sufficient to contain financial losses, though failure to do so could result in fines exceeding €10 million and squad limitations in the 2027–28 season. The club aims to retain all top players while strengthening the squad to challenge for the Serie A title. Matías Soulé appears likely to depart despite Roma's broader retention strategy.

Zeki Celik is close to signing a new three-year contract with AS Roma following Turkey's elimination from the World Cup at the group stage. The club and player have reached an agreement in principle, with an announcement expected in the coming days. However, Celik will not be Gasperini's starting right-back. The head coach has requested reinforcement on the right flank and views Celik as a versatile option who can operate on either wing or as a right centre-back to rotate with Gianluca Mancini. Gasperini's primary target for the right-back position is a younger profile than Molina, who is considered a secondary option at 28 years old. Dodô is not being pursued, as Roma has not made any formal approach for the player. On the left side, Wesley remains a key part of the plans after rejecting Chelsea and is ready for the upcoming season. Ruggeri is not a target for Roma. The club will seek an alternative to Wesley on the left, with Angeliño expected to depart. Roma continues to work on contract extensions for key players, with Celik's renewal progressing alongside talks with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini regarding their own deals.

Transfer activity across Europe sees Manchester United's Mason Greenwood edging towards a move to Turkish club Fenerbahçe, while Atlético Madrid has stepped back from pursuing midfielder Yves Koné. Roma has made a firm statement regarding defender Wesley, declaring the Brazilian is not available for transfer and remains a key part of the club's plans. The emphatic stance underscores Roma's determination to retain a core group of players despite the ongoing transfer window activity elsewhere.