Dybala credits Mourinho for Roma move as Fenerbahçe accelerates Greenwood chase; first pre-season friendly set for 16 July

Roma's pursuit of Mason Greenwood has stalled following fresh salary demands from his father and agent, prompting the Friedkin Group to pull the plug on negotiations. Fenerbahçe has seized the initiative and will attempt to wrap up a deal with Marseille in the coming hours, with an offer close to 50 million euros. Director Tony D'Amico has begun exploring alternative targets as coach Gasperini seeks a right-sided attacking midfielder capable of rotating with Paulo Dybala. Two names remain in Roma's sights: Stuttgart's Leweling, valued at nearly 50 million euros, and Rafael Leão, who has been offered to the Giallorossi in recent days. AC Milan are seeking a destination for the Portuguese winger, valued at approximately 60 million euros. Roma committed to Gasperini that a Champions-level attacking signing would arrive, and Leão's profile appeals to the club, though he would address the left flank rather than the right. A loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy could prove palatable to both clubs.

Mason Greenwood will not be joining Roma after negotiations broke down over wage demands. Roma accepted the English forward's initial terms, but his father subsequently increased salary requirements, prompting the Friedkin Group to withdraw from the pursuit. Fenerbahçe is now closing a deal with Marseille for Greenwood, with an offer approaching the initial asking price of €50 million. The Turkish club has prepared a four-year contract worth €8 million per season for the player. Roma has begun exploring alternatives, with Antony of Betis, Ndoye (formerly of Bologna), and Rafa Leao among the names under consideration. Leao has been proposed to the club in recent days. On the domestic front, Roma has made significant progress on contract renewals. Zeki Çelik's extension is now complete: the Turkish defender will sign a three-year deal worth just under €3 million annually. Negotiations with Lorenzo Pellegrini remain ongoing, with further talks expected between his representatives and the club. Roma's opening offer for the midfielder stands at €2 million per season, rising to €2.5 million with performance bonuses.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is close to signing a new contract with Roma. The club are actively negotiating with the midfielder's representatives, with fresh talks scheduled in the coming days involving director of sport Tony D'Amico. Roma's opening offer stands at 2 million euros per season, rising to 2.5 million with bonuses tied to appearances and performance incentives. The midfielder initially sought 3 million euros, though an agreement between club and his entourage is expected soon. Pellegrini's renewal follows similar progress with Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala, whose deals await only formal announcement. Roma are working to reduce their wage bill while retaining key players. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's desire to keep Pellegrini at the club has reportedly helped facilitate negotiations, as has the strong relationship between all parties involved.

Roma's pursuit of Mason Greenwood has stalled following fresh salary demands from his father and agent, prompting the Friedkin Group to pull the plug on negotiations. Fenerbahçe has seized the initiative and will attempt to wrap up a deal with Marseille in the coming hours, with an offer close to 50 million euros. Director Tony D'Amico has begun exploring alternative targets as coach Gasperini seeks a right-sided attacking midfielder capable of rotating with Paulo Dybala. Two names remain in Roma's sights: Stuttgart's Leweling, valued at nearly 50 million euros, and Rafael Leão, who has been offered to the Giallorossi in recent days. AC Milan are seeking a destination for the Portuguese winger, valued at approximately 60 million euros. Roma committed to Gasperini that a Champions-level attacking signing would arrive, and Leão's profile appeals to the club, though he would address the left flank rather than the right. A loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy could prove palatable to both clubs.

Wesley is working at Trigoria to build fitness ahead of Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival as head coach, recovering from a injury sustained before the World Cup. Roma's squad preparation intensifies as the pre-season gathering approaches. Paulo Dybala spoke publicly about Budapest, his arrival at Roma, and Mourinho, while Paredes addressed questions about his future at the club. The club has launched season ticket sales for the 2026–27 campaign. France face Marocco tomorrow.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is close to signing a new contract with Roma. The club are actively negotiating with the midfielder's representatives, with fresh talks scheduled in the coming days involving director of sport Tony D'Amico. Roma's opening offer stands at 2 million euros per season, rising to 2.5 million with bonuses tied to appearances and performance incentives. The midfielder initially sought 3 million euros, though an agreement between club and his entourage is expected soon. Pellegrini's renewal follows similar progress with Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala, whose deals await only formal announcement. Roma are working to reduce their wage bill while retaining key players. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's desire to keep Pellegrini at the club has reportedly helped facilitate negotiations, as has the strong relationship between all parties involved.

Manu Koné has progressed from a starstruck teenager who photographed Paul Pogba at Euro 2016 to a key player in France's World Cup campaign. Roma signed the midfielder for €18 million, and his performances at the club earned him his international debut on 6 September 2024 at age 23 — the same dream he held when he admired Pogba years earlier. Koné has featured prominently in France's tournament run, appearing in group matches against Iraq and Norway, then in the knockout stages against Paraguay after resting against Sweden. The midfielder has documented his journey with compelling social media content, including a comic posted one day before the tournament began showing his family celebrating and thanking manager Deschamps, alongside memories stretching back to May 2012 when his brother first told him about a World Cup dream. He has remained engaged even when not called upon, and stands ready to step in if Aurélien Tchouameni is unavailable for the quarter-finals against Morocco in Boston — notably featuring Roma teammate Neil El Aynaoui on the opposing side.

Neil El Aynaoui has transformed from a source of tension among Morocco supporters into a cornerstone of the national team's midfield. A year ago, fans questioned his commitment to the Atlas Lions after he missed a June gathering with the squad—initially due to an injury sustained while at Lens—and attended a charity match in Nancy, his birthplace in France, sparking speculation he was waiting for France's call. His father Younes later confirmed his absolute intention to represent Morocco. Since joining Roma, El Aynaoui made his eagerly awaited national team debut in August 2025 and immediately claimed a starting role in midfield. His breakthrough accelerated during the Africa Cup of Nations, where his Instagram following surged from 50,000 to over one million. What captivates supporters is not merely technical quality but his tenacity, work rate, and fighting spirit. He has become an omnipresent force—relentless in pressing and ball recovery, tireless in attacking contributions, and complementary to midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Distance covered in recent matches: 11.77 km against Brazil, 12.29 km against Scotland, 10.29 km against Haiti, 14.37 km against the Netherlands, and 11.04 km against Canada. El Aynaoui now faces the most significant challenge of his career at the ongoing World Cup. A fellow Roma midfielder, Manu Koné, plays for France—creating a special intersection not only through their shared giallorossi identity but also the broader narrative of a Nancy-born player seeking to close a chapter and pursue his dream.

Two Roma midfielders will face each other at the World Cup quarter-finals when France take on Morocco on 9 July at 22:00 Italian time at Gillette Stadium in Boston. Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, both Giallorossi players, will compete in a fixture that opens the door to the semi-final stage. The match represents another occasion on which Roma players have been pitted against each other at this tournament, following an earlier meeting between Dutch and Moroccan opponents during the round of 16. Whichever of the two Roma centrocampists progresses will guarantee at least one Giallorossi representative in the World Cup semi-finals on American soil. The winner will face the victor of Spain versus Belgium in the next round. Tv viewers in Italy can watch live on Rai 1, with streaming available via Rai Play and Dazn.