Everton fans join Roma in criticising Friedkin's transfer inactivity

Lorenzo Pellegrini is still waiting for his contract extension to be finalised. The Roma captain dined at the Roman trattoria I Ciarli with teammate Gianluca Mancini on Monday evening, while continuing to train with a personal fitness coach in the capital. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to secure the renewal, as is Bryan Cristante, who remarked: "We can't wait to see him back with us in the group." The final sign-off from the Friedkin Group remains outstanding. Pellegrini has already agreed to a salary reduction, but disagreement persists over the contract length. The player favours a three-year deal, while the club is pushing for a two-year agreement. Both sides are expected to continue negotiations over the coming days.

Vice-president Ryan Friedkin arrived at Roma's Trigoria training ground on 14 July to inject momentum into the summer transfer window, having successfully brokered deals during his January visit — most notably the arrival of Donyell Malen, who played a central role in Roma's push to the Champions League. This summer's mission has proved less fruitful. Two primary targets, Greenwood and Summerville, have already fallen through, with the American ownership expressing doubts about spending €50 million on the latter. Roma have also suffered the blow of Çelik signing with Juventus despite an oral agreement being in place. Gasperini had been awaiting Friedkin's arrival on 13 July, the first day of pre-season. With the window stalling, Friedkin has already returned to the United States within the past 48 hours, and no return date has yet been set. He may attend Cannes–Roma, a pre-season friendly between the two Friedkin-owned clubs, on Sunday, though that remains uncertain. The new transfer target is now Nusa, and Ryan will monitor negotiations from afar.

Lorenzo Pellegrini and Gianluca Mancini were spotted having dinner together at Trattoria Romana I Ciarli in Rome, a gesture underlining the midfielder's strong bond with the club as negotiations over his new contract proceed. Pellegrini, currently without a club, remains a priority target for Roma, with both parties signalling their commitment to reaching an agreement. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has publicly backed the move, a fan banner was displayed outside Trigoria, Pellegrini sent birthday wishes on the club's 99th anniversary, and Bryan Cristante declared after a friendly with Trastevere: "We are waiting for him with open arms." The sequence of gestures reflects the depth of Pellegrini's relationship with Roma despite his current uncontracted status. The dinner meeting with Mancini, a key defender in the squad, suggests the midfielder is maintaining close ties with teammates ahead of a formal return to training. These coordinated signals from the coaching staff, supporters' groups, and playing squad all point towards an imminent renewal of contract terms, with the expectation that Pellegrini will rejoin the training ground in due course.