Dovbyk deal with Genoa hits obstacles as Roma demands rise

Zeki Çelik is poised to sign a new contract with Roma, with an agreement reached between player and club. The Turkish defender will commit on a three-year deal worth just under €3 million per season, with Roma able to benefit from the Decreto Crescita tax incentive. An official announcement is expected in the coming days, though Çelik will not be present at the squad's gathering on 13 July as he receives additional rest following his participation in the World Cup. He is scheduled to return around 20 July. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requested the contract extension, keen to utilise Çelik's positional versatility. The 27-year-old can operate as a midfielder on the flank or as a right-side centre-back, offering tactical flexibility for Roma's system. The renewal represents continuity in the full-back role and reinforces the club's confidence in Çelik as a key squad member under Gasperini's management.

Leandro Paredes has revealed he attempted to persuade Paulo Dybala to join Boca Juniors, speaking after Argentina's comeback victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16 in America. The midfielder confirmed that a move to the Argentine club was among the possibilities under discussion and had crossed Dybala's mind during negotiations. Paredes told reporters in the mixed zone that he had spoken extensively with his compatriot in recent months about the prospect. Dybala, a current Roma player, is in contract renewal talks with the Giallorossi. Paredes said of his teammate: "I spoke a lot with him over these months. It was one of the possibilities on the contract, in his thoughts too. His life is very calm there. So I only wish him the best because he is an exceptional boy." The comments suggest Dybala has chosen to remain in Rome rather than pursue a return to South America at this stage of his career.

Fenerbahçe have intensified their push to sign Mason Greenwood, ramping up contact with both the English forward's representatives and Marseille in a bid to complete a deal and overtake Roma in the race for his signature. The Turkish club's aggressive move confirms reports circulating from Turkey and poses a genuine threat to Roma's interests, though the Giallorossi remain keen and attentive to developments. Roma's cautious approach is proving costly. The club's hierarchy has not yet tabled an official offer to Olympique Marseille, preferring to evaluate the full cost of the operation—transfer fee and wages combined—with extreme care. That deliberation now risks allowing Fenerbahçe to seize the advantage. Marseille's considerable financial demands complicate matters further; the French club continues to hold firm at a minimum asking price of €50 million and will not negotiate below it. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Marseille's rigidity is contractually justified: Manchester United are entitled to 40 per cent of any future sale proceeds, a clause that prevents the French side from offering discounts and forces Roma to make a swift decision to avoid Fenerbahçe closing the deal definitively.

Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Roma's pre-season will begin next week and outlined the club's ambitions following Champions League qualification. Speaking at a Sky Sport 2026–27 schedule presentation, the head coach stated: "After the qualification in Champions we want to be protagonists also in the next season." Gasperini revealed he is in constant contact with sporting director Tony D'Amico and the ownership, with the transfer market set to intensify in the coming days. On contract renewals, he offered reassurance: "They will be announced by the club, but we are all happy to continue together. It is a matter of days." Paulo Dybala will remain at Roma after a total agreement was reached on his contract renewal, with all bonus details finalised. The club is expected to announce the extension shortly. Franck Kessié is also on Roma's radar, with Gasperini having managed the midfielder at Atalanta and appreciating his physical and dynamic qualities. However, Kessié's wage demands remain prohibitively high despite his availability on a free transfer, making the move unlikely unless he significantly reduces his salary expectations. Analysts have questioned the feasibility of a move for Mason Greenwood, with concerns focused on both the transfer fee to Marseille and Greenwood's own financial demands. Roberto Pruzzo noted that if Roma do proceed with signing Greenwood as an alternative to current striker Artem Dovbyk, the club should prioritise establishing clear targets rather than speculative moves ahead of what is expected to be a two-year title push.

Roma have rejected an approach from Andrea Pinamonti's agent regarding a move to the club. The striker was offered as a potential deputy to Donyell Malen, with head coach Gasperini seeking a functional replacement capable of rotating with the Dutch winger without compromising attacking output and goal threat. Roma's primary search centres on identifying a backup forward, though the club must first offload Artem Dovbyk before proceeding. Matteo Tresoldi had emerged as the stronger target, but the deal has cooled due to cost and profile concerns. Pinamonti's proposal from his representative did not gain traction; Roma deemed him non-essential to their immediate transfer plans. The door has not been entirely closed, however, and market circumstances could revive interest in the 25-year-old in coming weeks. Rigoria officials have made clear Pinamonti is not a priority at this stage, though all options remain fluid in the transfer window. Roma will continue evaluating alternatives alongside efforts to move Dovbyk before finalising their attacking reinforcements.

Roma commentators have weighed in on the club's pursuit of Greenwood, with opinion divided on whether the deal will progress. Fernando Orsi told Radio Radio that if Roma signs Greenwood, it would be a striking coup that moves the market, noting that only Milan and Como have been active so far. He added that Roma could face problems within a week and highlighted Scamacca as a quality centre-forward who has improved considerably. Roberto Pruzzo cautioned that Roma must assess how feasible the Greenwood deal is, observing that Tresoldi and Dovbyk have totally different characteristics. Pruzzo stated: "If you free yourself of Dovbyk that's already a success. Roma, if it wants to win in the next two years, must not think about gambles." Balzani on TeleRadioStereo suggested Greenwood's salary demands are not the decisive factor; rather, the fee Roma must pay to Marseille is the sticking point, and the club's hesitation suggests it has not been fully convinced. He warned that if no signings arrive by the squad assembly, Gasperini will begin to press hard. Marcacci at Radio Radio noted that Greenwood's staff are raising the bar and cautioned Roma not to be bullied in this operation. Pruzzo also referenced Roma's 25-million-euro spending on Robinio Vaz, whom the club has never used and likely never will.