El Shaarawy on Rome and the future: 'This is my heart's place, and I want to return when I retire'

Pietro Mezzaroma, a defining figure in Rome's urban development across the second half of the 20th century, died on 4 August at the age of 91. Born in Rome in 1935, Mezzaroma began his career in his father Amerigo's carpentry business before pivoting decisively to residential construction during the 1950s economic boom. With his brothers Gianni and Roberto, he founded Impreme (Imprese Mezzaroma), which became a cornerstone of the capital's property development. After a 1996 family restructuring, he established Pietro Mezzaroma & Figli with his four children—Massimo, Barbara, Valentina, and Alessandra—and continued to shape entire neighbourhoods across Rome. Mezzaroma's work fundamentally altered the city's landscape, from the Torrino and EUR districts to Talenti, Cinecittà, and Dragoncello, as well as San Basilio and Tor Bella Monaca. He was known for direct pragmatism and a visceral connection to Rome's social fabric; Paolo Buzzetti, former president of the Roman builders' association, recalled: "Pietro advised others, including institutional contacts, to be practical, not to get lost in sophisms and flowery language. Few political and financial analyses, and much concrete action: spontaneity and pragmatism was the mix that distinguished him." Mezzaroma also collaborated on architectural projects with Paolo Portoghesi, a towering figure in Italian architecture. In May 1993, Mezzaroma acquired AS Roma alongside Franco Sensi, taking the club from Giuseppe Ciarrapico. He remained co-owner for approximately six months before transferring his shares to Sensi.

Roma's training camp in the UK ended in defeat as they lost a friendly match against Brighton at the American Express Stadium. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the media after the loss, indicating that something was lacking in the team's performance. Lorenzo Pellegrini signed a contract extension through 2027 during this period. Separately, Torino president Urbano Cairo commented on Alessio Cacciamani and Roma's interest in the player, though no transfer details were specified.

Manu Koné is taking a detour through Spain before rejoining Roma, visiting his former club Toulouse in San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, where the French club are conducting their summer training camp. The Roma midfielder, who will return to Gasperini's squad on Monday 10 August, has spent time there reconnecting with the club where he developed as a player before his move to Borussia Mönchlegladbach. Koné posted on social media to mark the visit, saying: "When I was at the centre, I was told that once you've worn the violet shirt, you become part of the Toulouse family forever. It was important to come back here, meet familiar faces and exchange with the new generation of pitchounes. Thanks to everyone for the welcome, I wish you the best for this season." Koné, who wore number 17 for Roma, has recently recovered from the demands of representing France at the World Cup and was linked with Manchester United in recent weeks, though that move did not materialise. His return to first-team training will add depth to Roma's midfield as Gasperini prepares the squad for the coming campaign.

Roma's attacking department has been decimated ahead of the 2026–27 season, with coach Gian Piero Gasperini now overseeing just five senior forwards for the role — down from ten options at the end of January. The remaining quartet consists of Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Robinio Vaz, with young prospect Arena also available. The collapse mirrors Gasperini's repeated public calls for investment in attack. Speaking exactly a year ago on 4 August 2025 at the English national team's St. George Park facility in Burton Upon Trent, Gasperini outlined his philosophy: "It concerns all clubs that spend large sums on attackers. The offensive department is the most sought after and most expensive. Teams with strong attacking players are more competitive." That same summer, Roma pursued Fabio Silva and Jadon Sancho without success, settling on a loan move for Romain Bailey as a last-minute solution. By the end of 2025, Roma had assembled eight attacking options — Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Soulé, Baldanzi, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — to fill three positions in Gasperini's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. The winter transfer window swelled that number to ten through the departures of Bailey and Baldanzi and the arrivals of Malen, Vaz, Bryan Zaragoza, and Lorenzo Venturino. However, only Malen performed consistently. With just twenty days until the league campaign begins, Roma faces a critical shortage. The club is reportedly making another approach for Nusa and preparing a move for Fofana to bolster the depleted ranks.

Roma find themselves in unexpected stasis on the transfer market one month before their Serie A opener against Fiorentina, hampered by slow planning, a complex summer constrained by Settlement Agreement rules, and difficulty delivering the reinforcements Gian Piero Gasperini has requested. As of late July, Roma had completed zero signings and just one minor departure, leaving six players from last season's squad still to be replaced: El Shaarawy, Ferguson, Tsimikas, Celik, Venturino, and Zaragoza. The club also has several players ready to depart—Salah-Eddine, Kumbulla, and Dovbyk among them—while others including Soulé and Koné remain uncertain. Contract complications surround Dybala, and Pellegrini's position requires clarification. Delays stem from structural issues worsened by Tony D'Amico's late arrival as sporting director, who became operational only in the final ten days of June following a dispute with Atalanta, compounded by World Cup scheduling and Settlement Agreement restrictions. Gasperini intends to compete at the highest level while preserving the squad's core and adding only a few elite signings. Roma pursued Mason Greenwood and Luis Summerville at length, becoming committed to the Dutch player beyond their budgeted limits before the deal collapsed entirely.

AS Roma are closing in on Crysencio Summerville, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini expecting a resolution in the coming days. The club has raised their bid to €50 million to persuade West Ham to sell the Dutch international and fend off competition from Aston Villa. Gasperini will have final say once Roma and Summerville's agents reach an agreement on personal terms. Despite publicly casting doubt on the transfer during Saturday's press conference—a tactical move to maintain negotiating leverage—Gasperini is eager to bring the winger to Rome. The breakthrough hinges on agreeing contract details with Summerville's representatives, the final hurdle before the deal can be completed. Roma's willingness to climb to the €50 million mark signals their determination to secure one of their priority targets this window. The next 24 to 48 hours are viewed as critical to the outcome. Summerville, who would join a squad already including attackers such as Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, and Stephan El Shaarawy, represents a significant investment in Gasperini's vision for the team.