Core squad pushes hard in pre-season as Pellegrini awaits contract renewal

Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante have officially renewed their contracts with Roma, with the defender signing a three-year deal and the midfielder committing for two years. The extensions follow Paulo Dybala's one-year renewal and represent further additions to Roma's core group. Mancini wrote on social media: "These colours mean more than everything, they are in my heart and my veins from the first day I arrived at Roma. Together, still together: it is a beautiful feeling, every time like the first. A unique fan base in the world, an extraordinary city, a fantastic club, my teammates, a squad and staff who are now family, every single person who works at Trigoria and is a big part of all this. Roma means this to me and much more. An intense bond, strong, above everything. So far it has been a beautiful journey... but we have many more pages to write together. I cannot wait to do it, representing these colours that I love with pride and until the last moment of every match. In Italy, in Europe, in the world." Roma's priority now is securing Lorenzo Pellegrini to a new contract. The club lost Zeki Çelik to Juventus and is determined to avoid further departures. Pellegrini wants to stay but negotiations over contract length remain ongoing—the player has requested three years while the club has offered two. Both Pellegrini and coach Gian Piero Gasperini are keen to reach an agreement. Pellegrini confirmed his presence in Rome via social media, posting an image of the Grande Raccordo Anulare as negotiations continue.

Roma opened their 2026–27 season with a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Primavera at the Fulvio Bernardini training ground on a scorching Roman July morning. The match kicked off at 09:00 and was divided into four 20-minute quarters, a format that allowed both sides extended playing time in challenging heat. The first half ended goalless, with referee Neglia officiating the fixture. Roma fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation: Svilar in goal, supported by Ghilardi, Ziółkowski, and Hermoso in defence. Rensch and Angeliño operated as wing-backs, with Pisilli and Bah anchoring midfield. Soulé and Cherubini provided attacking support for Dovbyk in the centre-forward role. The Primavera, coached by new manager Mattia Scala, lined up in a 4–5–1 shape. The friendly served as the traditional season opener for the club and an opportunity to assess fitness and shape ahead of competitive fixtures. Assistants Picchiotti and Florio supported Neglia, while Scatena acted as fourth official.

Roma are pushing hard to complete their first winter signing, with Summerville identified as the primary target. The Dutch forward has held talks with Gasperini and signalled his willingness to join. Roma aim to wrap up the deal by the start of next week, though West Ham are demanding €50 million. Competition is intensifying, however, with Aston Villa also pursuing Summerville and possessing considerable funds to spend. The Birmingham club, which recently acquired Rogers for €117 million from Chelsea, has also held discussions about Garnacho during negotiations with the Blues. Garnacho, however, has ruled out a move to Aston Villa, preferring to play in a different league rather than the Premier League. Roma continue to work on bringing the Argentine winger to the Stadio Olimpico, exploring a loan deal with an obligation to buy under specific conditions. Chelsea, meanwhile, are pushing for a guaranteed obligation clause rather than a conditional one. According to reports, Garnacho would be willing to join Roma, though the transfer ultimately hinges on resolving the financial structure between the clubs.

Roma opened their 2026–27 season with a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Primavera at the Fulvio Bernardini training ground on a scorching Roman July morning. The match kicked off at 09:00 and was divided into four 20-minute quarters, a format that allowed both sides extended playing time in challenging heat. The first half ended goalless, with referee Neglia officiating the fixture. Roma fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation: Svilar in goal, supported by Ghilardi, Ziółkowski, and Hermoso in defence. Rensch and Angeliño operated as wing-backs, with Pisilli and Bah anchoring midfield. Soulé and Cherubini provided attacking support for Dovbyk in the centre-forward role. The Primavera, coached by new manager Mattia Scala, lined up in a 4–5–1 shape. The friendly served as the traditional season opener for the club and an opportunity to assess fitness and shape ahead of competitive fixtures. Assistants Picchiotti and Florio supported Neglia, while Scatena acted as fourth official.

Roma played their first meaningful pre-season test on Friday at Trigoria, drawing 0–0 with the club's Primavera side in a four-part fixture of 20 minutes each. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielded Angelino, Soulé and Dovbyk from the start. The striker had an opportunity to break the deadlock but missed the chance to put Roma ahead. The match, overseen by referee Neglia, closed the first week of the summer training camp and featured Roma's youth side under new manager Mattia Scala. The fixture marked an internal workout ahead of the full pre-season programme, with most of the senior squad absent. International players remained on holiday following the World Cup, while Paulo Dybala was initially unavailable. Manu Koné concluded his Roma career the previous evening, clearing the decks for Gasperini's initial squad preparations. Roma fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation: Svilar; Ghilardi, Ziolkowski, Hermoso; Rensch, Bah, Pisilli, Angelino; Soulé, Cherubini; Dovbyk. The Primavera lined up as De Marzi; Seck, Terlizzi, Basile; Lulli, Arduini, Maccaroni, Cama; Arena, Guaglianone; Corredera.

Roma's first friendly of the season takes place tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side facing the Primavera team coached by Mattia Scala. The fixture serves as an early-season workout for the capital club, who have yet to complete any summer signings. Gasperini will have the chance to assess his squad's condition and test potential attacking combinations. Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé are expected to feature behind centre-forward Artem Dovbyk in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The squad selected reflects the current roster without any new arrivals to integrate. Roma's line-up: Svilar; Ghilardi, Mancini, Hermoso; Wesley, Cristante, Pisilli, Angeliño; Dybala, Soulé; Dovbyk. Live text coverage will be available on romanews.eu.

Roma have reached an agreement in principle with Diego Moreira's representatives over personal terms, with the Belgian winger offered a contract worth €2 million per season plus bonuses. The 21-year-old left-winger, who plays for Strasbourg, fits Gasperini's blueprint for a modern full-back capable of operating across both flanks. However, the French club is demanding over €40 million for his transfer, while Roma are unwilling to exceed €30 million. The clubs are in talks to bridge the €10 million gap through structured bonus clauses. The pursuit of Moreira underscores Roma's urgent need to reinforce their external positions following Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus. With Wesley, Rensch, and Angeliño currently the only available wide options at Trigoria, Gasperini is short of depth on both flanks. Moreira, born in 2004, is a left-footed player equally capable on the right and has made 76 appearances for Strasbourg, contributing 16 assists. He also holds four senior caps for Belgium, including an appearance in last year's World Cup knockout stage against Senegal. Parallel to the Moreira negotiation, Roma have renewed their interest in Fiorentina right-back Dodo, the Brazilian defender previously monitored before the club moved away from the prospect. Fiorentina value the former Shakhtar player at approximately €15 million, which Roma consider their absolute ceiling for the deal. While no formal written offer has yet been tabled, Roma's technical staff view Dodo as an attractive option should the economics align in coming days.

Roma's first friendly of the season takes place tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side facing the Primavera team coached by Mattia Scala. The fixture serves as an early-season workout for the capital club, who have yet to complete any summer signings. Gasperini will have the chance to assess his squad's condition and test potential attacking combinations. Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé are expected to feature behind centre-forward Artem Dovbyk in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The squad selected reflects the current roster without any new arrivals to integrate. Roma's line-up: Svilar; Ghilardi, Mancini, Hermoso; Wesley, Cristante, Pisilli, Angeliño; Dybala, Soulé; Dovbyk. Live text coverage will be available on romanews.eu.

Roma have identified Nahuel Molina and Dodo as potential replacements for Zeki Çelik following his free transfer to Juventus. Çelik's contract expired at the end of June, and despite Roma's attempts to negotiate a new deal, the Turkish defender joined the record-time Italian champions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side must now find a suitable right-back before the summer transfer window closes, though Wesley Franca could slot into the right wing if needed. Roma's pursuit of Champions League football for the first time in eight years has made squad strengthening a priority. Molina, 28, has impressed for Argentina at the World Cup and has fallen out of favour at Atlético Madrid, with his contract due to expire next summer—potentially allowing Roma to negotiate favourable terms. Dodo, currently at Fiorentina, similarly has less than a year remaining on his deal. However, Molina's strong World Cup form could convince Diego Simeone to reintegrate him at Madrid. Inter have also been linked with Dodo over the past six months, adding competition for the Brazilian defender's signature.

Roma opened their 2026–27 season with a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Primavera at the Fulvio Bernardini training ground on a scorching Roman July morning. The match kicked off at 09:00 and was divided into four 20-minute quarters, a format that allowed both sides extended playing time in challenging heat. The first half ended goalless, with referee Neglia officiating the fixture. Roma fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation: Svilar in goal, supported by Ghilardi, Ziółkowski, and Hermoso in defence. Rensch and Angeliño operated as wing-backs, with Pisilli and Bah anchoring midfield. Soulé and Cherubini provided attacking support for Dovbyk in the centre-forward role. The Primavera, coached by new manager Mattia Scala, lined up in a 4–5–1 shape. The friendly served as the traditional season opener for the club and an opportunity to assess fitness and shape ahead of competitive fixtures. Assistants Picchiotti and Florio supported Neglia, while Scatena acted as fourth official.

Roma played their first meaningful pre-season test on Friday at Trigoria, drawing 0–0 with the club's Primavera side in a four-part fixture of 20 minutes each. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielded Angelino, Soulé and Dovbyk from the start. The striker had an opportunity to break the deadlock but missed the chance to put Roma ahead. The match, overseen by referee Neglia, closed the first week of the summer training camp and featured Roma's youth side under new manager Mattia Scala. The fixture marked an internal workout ahead of the full pre-season programme, with most of the senior squad absent. International players remained on holiday following the World Cup, while Paulo Dybala was initially unavailable. Manu Koné concluded his Roma career the previous evening, clearing the decks for Gasperini's initial squad preparations. Roma fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation: Svilar; Ghilardi, Ziolkowski, Hermoso; Rensch, Bah, Pisilli, Angelino; Soulé, Cherubini; Dovbyk. The Primavera lined up as De Marzi; Seck, Terlizzi, Basile; Lulli, Arduini, Maccaroni, Cama; Arena, Guaglianone; Corredera.

Roma's first friendly of the season takes place tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side facing the Primavera team coached by Mattia Scala. The fixture serves as an early-season workout for the capital club, who have yet to complete any summer signings. Gasperini will have the chance to assess his squad's condition and test potential attacking combinations. Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé are expected to feature behind centre-forward Artem Dovbyk in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The squad selected reflects the current roster without any new arrivals to integrate. Roma's line-up: Svilar; Ghilardi, Mancini, Hermoso; Wesley, Cristante, Pisilli, Angeliño; Dybala, Soulé; Dovbyk. Live text coverage will be available on romanews.eu.