Bruno Conti Departs Roma After 53 Years; Settlement Agreement Delayed to Late July

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.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is spending the final days of his summer break in Alto Adige (South Tyrol) in the Italian Alps, relaxing before Roma's pre-season training camp begins. Like his players, Gasperini is taking time away during the off-season interval. The timing aligns with the club's preparations ahead of the new campaign, with the head coach set to return for the formal start of summer training sessions and tactical work with the squad.

Paulo Dybala returned to Instituto de Córdoba, the Argentine club where he began his football career, during the off-season to speak with the youth academy players. On vacation in Argentina with his family, the Roma forward delivered an encouraging message to the young talents, urging them to pursue their ambitions. Dybala told the players: "Anyone can make it. It happened to me, I was fortunate to play in two World Cups. Dreams come for everyone, don't give up. It seems far away, but all of this is not far away." The visit comes as Dybala awaits official confirmation of his contract renewal with AS Roma. The 30-year-old has been a key player for the Giallorossi and remains central to their plans. His message to the Instituto youth emphasized the possibility of rising from humble beginnings in the academy to competing at the highest levels of European football, drawing on his own journey from Córdoba through Juventus and Roma. Dybala's words were shared across Instituto's social media channels, providing inspiration to the young players. He is expected to return to pre-season training in September ahead of the next campaign at the Olimpico.

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.

Matías Soulé appears set to reject an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli, despite Roma's desire to sell him. Al Ahli attempted to persuade the 23-year-old Argentine without submitting an official bid to Roma. Soulé has expressed reluctance to move to a second-tier league at this stage of his career and would have preferred a move to Germany, but neither Borussia Dortmund nor Stuttgart have matched Roma's €40 million asking price. RB Leipzig also inquired without making a firm approach. With the June 30 transfer deadline approaching, Soulé is likely to remain at Roma beyond that date, though the club continues to seek his departure. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly informed Roma's management that Soulé is not among the untouchable players in the squad, particularly with incoming signing Greenwood occupying a similar role. Roma would accept €35 million plus add-ons to generate profit and reinvest funds elsewhere. Paulo Dybala is also close to leaving the club. Roma's management awaits offers that are expected to arrive after the June 30 deadline. Soulé's departure remains probable but is unlikely to be to Saudi Arabia, with German clubs potentially returning with serious proposals in the coming transfer window.