Gasperini nurtures World Cup star El Aynaoui as Roma lock in emerging talent

AS Roma are exploring a move for Chelsea forward Alejandro Garnacho, the 22-year-old Argentina international who joined Stamford Bridge last summer after departing Manchester United. Chelsea are also open to moving him on under new coach Xabi Alonso and do not view Garnacho as central to their plans. Whether Chelsea will sell or loan the player remains unclear, though his long contract until 2032 and £110,000-per-week wages may complicate any deal. Gasperini's arrival at Roma and his reputation for developing young talent makes the Giallorossi an interesting potential destination for Garnacho. The forward finished his first season at Chelsea with eight goals and four assists across 43 appearances. A loan move could appeal to both clubs—offering Roma a lower-risk opportunity while allowing Chelsea to preserve his market value through regular football. Gasperini has a track record of working effectively with both established and young players, though he is also known for high-profile disputes with some of his charges. Garnacho's talent has never been questioned, but both Chelsea and Manchester United have struggled to get the best from him in recent seasons. At 22, he remains a raw prospect capable of developing into a top-class player should he find the right environment and coaching.

AS Roma will play their first pre-season friendly against Cannes on 26 July at 17:30. The match represents the beginning of Roma's summer preparation ahead of the new season. Ticket information for the fixture is available, though details on pricing and availability remain unclear. Pre-season friendlies typically allow the club to assess squad fitness and tactical preparations before competitive play resumes.

Roma is pursuing Diego Moreira, the Strasbourg winger, as one of head coach Gasperini's key transfer targets alongside Mason Greenwood. Moreira impressed Gasperini during his time at Atalanta, and the coach wants to integrate new faces before the squad assembles on 13 July. However, Strasbourg's asking price stands at approximately €40 million, a fee Roma hopes to negotiate with Marseille over Greenwood's transfer. A significant obstacle has emerged: Chelsea holds a buyback clause on Moreira. Although the clause's exact value has not been disclosed, Chelsea—which owns Strasbourg's parent company BlueCo—retains the contractual right to bring the player back to London before any sale to another club. Chelsea is currently focused on signing Rayo Vallecano's Chavarria, but that deal faces resistance over the Spanish club's €50 million valuation. If Chelsea's Chavarria pursuit collapses, the Blues could swiftly activate their interest in Moreira, forcing Roma to act immediately to avoid losing the target. Roma has limited time to move decisively. The club must accelerate negotiations before Chelsea potentially reassesses its options or Moreira's market value rises further following his World Cup displays.

Roma midfielder El Aynaoui, who turned 25 on 2 July while competing with Morocco at the World Cup, has attracted the attention of multiple Premier League clubs. According to reports, intermediaries for the Roma player have held discussions with Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Bournemouth, Newcastle United, and Sunderland. El Aynaoui has impressed during Morocco's strong tournament run, though previous weeks had also linked him with moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona, with his father Younes reportedly revealing the player's preference for Barcelona. At Roma, El Aynaoui faced difficulties establishing himself as a regular starter in his first season under head coach Gasperini. Despite being considered an important squad member, the 2001-born Moroccan failed to secure a stable place in the midfield during the last domestic campaign. The emerging interest from European top clubs suggests his performances on the international stage have not gone unnoticed, even as he struggles for consistent playing time at club level.

AS Roma's Moroccan player El Aynaoui is celebrating his birthday while competing at a World Cup in the United States. The club marked the occasion with a social media message wishing him well. El Aynaoui has emerged as one of the standout performers for Morocco at the tournament, earning widespread recognition for his work rate, quality, and commitment on the pitch. Meanwhile, Roma's World Cup contingent has been significantly reduced. Several players including Celik, Malen, and Ndicka have already been eliminated from the competition. Only Koné and El Aynaoui remain representing Roma at the tournament. Koné has struggled to find regular playing time and has not performed at his best, contrasting sharply with El Aynaoui's impactful contributions, which have made him a focal point of Morocco's campaign. Roma also provided an injury update on Wesley, noting that his recovery continues with ball-based exercises as the club prepares for the resumption of activities. The message sent to El Aynaoui—"Happy birthday, Neil"—was described as simple but heartfelt, reflecting the club's recognition of his performances on the international stage.

Morocco eliminated the Netherlands at the World Cup overnight, advancing to the knockout stages. The result has starkly different implications for two Roma players. Donyell Malen remained on the bench for the entire match and did not play a single minute as the Netherlands were eliminated. Malen had been a key figure in Roma's Champions League push this season, but Netherlands coach Koeman dropped him after a training ground disagreement, initially trying him as a central striker before moving him to the wing. The attacker is now free to return to Europe and plans to enjoy a deserved holiday before joining Roma's preseason training at Trigoria. El Aynaoui, Roma's midfielder, played limited minutes for the club during the regular season but has now seen Morocco reach the World Cup quarter-finals, keeping his tournament dream alive. His impressive performances have reportedly attracted interest from major European clubs. However, Roma has no intention of selling him and plans to promote El Aynaoui to regular starter status next season. His return to Trigoria will be delayed as Morocco continues its World Cup campaign. Malen aims to be available for Roma's early preseason sessions and will look to rebuild his form with the Giallorossi.

Roma successfully resisted attempts by rival clubs to acquire key players on June 30th. Juventus approached the club for Mile Svilar, while Inter and Porto both made offers for Niccolò Pisilli. Additionally, Matías Soulé rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, with his agent expressing frustration over how the negotiations were handled. Despite pressure from multiple directions, Roma declined all approaches and maintained their squad. UEFA has granted Roma a one-month extension on the deadline for including player sales in their financial records due to World Cup scheduling, though this grace period does not apply to new acquisitions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his desire to retain Wesley, Evan N'Dicka, and Manu Koné as cornerstones of his squad, and the club hierarchy has prioritized keeping the manager satisfied. Roma intends to argue to UEFA that they can manage financial losses through peripheral transactions if necessary. Failure to meet Financial Fair Play requirements could expose Roma to fines exceeding €10 million and squad restrictions in 2027–28, though harsher penalties are considered unlikely. The club's strategy appears focused on retaining its top-tier players while strengthening the squad around the margins in the coming weeks.

AS Roma has rejected an approach from Porto for midfielder Niccolò Pisilli in recent days. The Italian club rebuffed the Portuguese side's attempt to sign the young player, keeping him as a key part of their squad. Pisilli remains a cornerstone of Roma's plans, and the club has no intention of parting with him despite external interest. Details of Porto's offer remain unclear, but Roma's decision to hold firm underscores their faith in the 20-year-old's future at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma is preparing for an active summer transfer window after deciding to keep all major squad players. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, owner Ryan Friedkin, and sporting director D'Amico are expected to hold a meeting soon to finalize the club's transfer plan and budget allocation. The Friedkin Group will determine spending limits for incoming signings. Greenwood remains Roma's primary target, though no formal offer has been submitted yet. The club rejected multiple offers for young midfielder Niccolò Pisilli and goalkeeper Mile Svilar during the previous day, signaling a firm stance on retaining key assets. Gasperini's arrival has prompted a strategic review of the squad, with the coach assessing potential departures and arrivals to align with his tactical requirements. The timing of the meeting reflects Roma's urgency in executing their summer recruitment early, with the transfer window now open. Additional details on specific targets, budget figures, and the timeline for player arrivals remain unclear.