Cristante and Mancini set for contract renewals; Ferdinand claims United close on Koné deal

Manchester United are actively pursuing Roma midfielder Manu Koné, with reports suggesting the French midfielder could leave Trigoria. The Red Devils, who have already signed Andrey Santos and Tielemans this window, are searching for another central midfielder. Rio Ferdinand fuelled speculation by claiming an agreement had been reached between the two clubs, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano clarified that while contacts remain live, Manchester United have not yet submitted an official offer. The relationship between Roma and Manchester United is described as excellent, though Gian Piero Gasperini and the club's hierarchy are reluctant to part with Koné following the team's achievement of qualifying for the Champions League. Roma consider the French midfielder an integral part of their midfield plans. Romano's intervention suggests the situation remains fluid. Though initial reports of a done deal proved premature, the club's interest is genuine and the possibility of a formal bid cannot be ruled out. Koné's exit would represent a significant blow to Roma's ambitions, particularly given the prominence he has assumed under Gasperini's tactical system.

Manchester United have opened active dialogue with Manu Koné's representatives over a potential move for the Roma midfielder, though no formal bid has been submitted to the club. The Red Devils have intensified their interest in the French centrefielder following their failure to land Ederson, and have been in regular contact with Koné's agents in recent days. Koné fits United's profile as a dynamic midfielder capable of covering ground and breaking lines in their 4-2-3-1 system. Koné has attracted attention from multiple elite sides during the transfer window, including Chelsea under Xabi Alonso, after standout performances at the World Cup. Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United defender, announced on his YouTube channel that United had reached an agreement to sign Koné for £45 million (€53 million), citing Fabrizio Romano as his source. However, Romano subsequently clarified that while contact between United's hierarchy and Koné's camp remains solid, no offer has yet reached Roma's boardroom. The midfielder remains one of several names on United's shortlist as they search for midfield reinforcement.

Roma have identified Donyell Malen as their primary target to strengthen the left attacking midfield position, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini keen on the move. The club has set a virtual deadline of Monday–Tuesday next week for a decision after two meetings between sporting director D'Amico and Malen's representatives. A crucial detail has emerged: Malen's contract contains a release clause worth €45 million that expires in 10 days. Wages remain the sticking point in negotiations. Diego Moreira continues as Roma's alternative for the left flank. Moreira has already agreed personal terms with Roma on a €2 million salary and the club has submitted a €30 million offer to Strasbourg, plus 10 per cent of any future sale. This represents a more straightforward route if the Malen situation cannot be resolved before the release clause deadline. Elsewhere, contract renewals for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante have been finalised, providing stability to Roma's squad. Manchester United have also entered the race to sign Manu Koné, though Roma remain focused on their attacking midfield targets.

Roma have identified Donyell Malen as their primary target to strengthen the left attacking midfield position, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini keen on the move. The club has set a virtual deadline of Monday–Tuesday next week for a decision after two meetings between sporting director D'Amico and Malen's representatives. A crucial detail has emerged: Malen's contract contains a release clause worth €45 million that expires in 10 days. Wages remain the sticking point in negotiations. Diego Moreira continues as Roma's alternative for the left flank. Moreira has already agreed personal terms with Roma on a €2 million salary and the club has submitted a €30 million offer to Strasbourg, plus 10 per cent of any future sale. This represents a more straightforward route if the Malen situation cannot be resolved before the release clause deadline. Elsewhere, contract renewals for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante have been finalised, providing stability to Roma's squad. Manchester United have also entered the race to sign Manu Koné, though Roma remain focused on their attacking midfield targets.

AS Roma has secured Zeki Çelik's contract renewal, with the full-back's new deal already signed and an official announcement expected soon. The club is simultaneously progressing talks with three other key figures: Lorenzo Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante all have ongoing negotiations over fresh terms. Cristante will extend his contract until 2028, while Mancini's new deal will run until 2029. Both players have reached verbal agreements with the club and are expected to sign imminently. Mancini remains considered untouchable by Roma's hierarchy despite earlier speculation linking him with Inter; the club registered no concrete approaches for the defender and continues to view him as central to the project. Pellegrini's situation is also progressing, with the midfielder and Roma in active dialogue to finalise his new contract terms. These renewals follow Paulo Dybala's confirmation of a deal through 2027, part of a broader push by the Friedkin Group to secure the club's core squad.

Zeki Çelik has completed his contract renewal at Roma, with document exchanges finalised. The Turkish defender will rejoin the squad on 18 July following post-tournament leave. Alongside Çelik, Roma have already secured Paulo Dybala's renewal, while Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are set to stay, pending only their signatures on final agreements. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is working to retain key players from the expiring contracts list rather than pursue significant new signings at Trigoria. The more pressing challenge involves Lorenzo Pellegrini. Although Gasperini would welcome the midfielder's continued presence and Pellegrini himself wishes to remain at Roma, approval from ownership—the Friedkin Group—remains outstanding. A gap persists in negotiations over his future, complicating what would otherwise be a period of contract resolutions for the club.

Roma have identified Donyell Malen as their primary target to strengthen the left attacking midfield position, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini keen on the move. The club has set a virtual deadline of Monday–Tuesday next week for a decision after two meetings between sporting director D'Amico and Malen's representatives. A crucial detail has emerged: Malen's contract contains a release clause worth €45 million that expires in 10 days. Wages remain the sticking point in negotiations. Diego Moreira continues as Roma's alternative for the left flank. Moreira has already agreed personal terms with Roma on a €2 million salary and the club has submitted a €30 million offer to Strasbourg, plus 10 per cent of any future sale. This represents a more straightforward route if the Malen situation cannot be resolved before the release clause deadline. Elsewhere, contract renewals for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante have been finalised, providing stability to Roma's squad. Manchester United have also entered the race to sign Manu Koné, though Roma remain focused on their attacking midfield targets.

AS Roma has secured Zeki Çelik's contract renewal, with the full-back's new deal already signed and an official announcement expected soon. The club is simultaneously progressing talks with three other key figures: Lorenzo Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante all have ongoing negotiations over fresh terms. Cristante will extend his contract until 2028, while Mancini's new deal will run until 2029. Both players have reached verbal agreements with the club and are expected to sign imminently. Mancini remains considered untouchable by Roma's hierarchy despite earlier speculation linking him with Inter; the club registered no concrete approaches for the defender and continues to view him as central to the project. Pellegrini's situation is also progressing, with the midfielder and Roma in active dialogue to finalise his new contract terms. These renewals follow Paulo Dybala's confirmation of a deal through 2027, part of a broader push by the Friedkin Group to secure the club's core squad.

Zeki Çelik has completed his contract renewal at Roma, with document exchanges finalised. The Turkish defender will rejoin the squad on 18 July following post-tournament leave. Alongside Çelik, Roma have already secured Paulo Dybala's renewal, while Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are set to stay, pending only their signatures on final agreements. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is working to retain key players from the expiring contracts list rather than pursue significant new signings at Trigoria. The more pressing challenge involves Lorenzo Pellegrini. Although Gasperini would welcome the midfielder's continued presence and Pellegrini himself wishes to remain at Roma, approval from ownership—the Friedkin Group—remains outstanding. A gap persists in negotiations over his future, complicating what would otherwise be a period of contract resolutions for the club.

AS Roma has secured Zeki Çelik's contract renewal, with the full-back's new deal already signed and an official announcement expected soon. The club is simultaneously progressing talks with three other key figures: Lorenzo Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante all have ongoing negotiations over fresh terms. Cristante will extend his contract until 2028, while Mancini's new deal will run until 2029. Both players have reached verbal agreements with the club and are expected to sign imminently. Mancini remains considered untouchable by Roma's hierarchy despite earlier speculation linking him with Inter; the club registered no concrete approaches for the defender and continues to view him as central to the project. Pellegrini's situation is also progressing, with the midfielder and Roma in active dialogue to finalise his new contract terms. These renewals follow Paulo Dybala's confirmation of a deal through 2027, part of a broader push by the Friedkin Group to secure the club's core squad.

Zeki Çelik has completed his contract renewal at Roma, with document exchanges finalised. The Turkish defender will rejoin the squad on 18 July following post-tournament leave. Alongside Çelik, Roma have already secured Paulo Dybala's renewal, while Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are set to stay, pending only their signatures on final agreements. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is working to retain key players from the expiring contracts list rather than pursue significant new signings at Trigoria. The more pressing challenge involves Lorenzo Pellegrini. Although Gasperini would welcome the midfielder's continued presence and Pellegrini himself wishes to remain at Roma, approval from ownership—the Friedkin Group—remains outstanding. A gap persists in negotiations over his future, complicating what would otherwise be a period of contract resolutions for the club.

Roman radio commentators have voiced mixed views on Roma's transfer strategy, with particular focus on midfielder Manu Koné and incoming striker options. Antonio Felici argued that selling Koné without a proper replacement is risky, saying: "It's a dam that if you don't replace adequately you risk starting 0–1 down for opponents in every match. If you score a lot but concede a lot you're back to square one." Felici also questioned Roma's modest approach to valuations, noting that English clubs pay inflated fees — Muharemovic left for €38 million — and suggested the club should demand more than €50–60 million for Koné. Piero Torri acknowledged that Koné's valuation has risen and that €45 million plus bonuses is no longer sufficient, while suggesting his sale could help Roma's financial position ahead of incoming transfers. The commentators also debated Roma's approach to replacing forwards. Nando Orsi backed Luis Summerville as "an excellent choice" for Gasperini to develop, describing him as "a good player" who the coach "can make excellent." Orsi urged Roma to avoid Alejandro Garnacho, calling it a risky technical and financial situation, and suggested Summerville offered better value than alternatives. Lorenzo Pes noted uncertainty around Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal, attributing delays partly to Pellegrini's ongoing injury, but flagged that Roma's slow decision-making on renewals, purchases and departures has been a recurring issue.