Five Roma players confirmed for 2026 World Cup; Soulé awaits Argentina decision

Zeki Çelik has joined Juventus, forcing Roma to act quickly in the transfer market. Sporting director D'Amico is already compiling a shortlist of potential replacements for the right-back, with Molina of Atlético Madrid and Dodò of Fiorentina both under consideration. Molina, the Argentine full-back who previously attracted interest from coach Gasperini, remains valued at around 20 million euros. D'Amico is simultaneously pursuing moves for Moreira and Summerville, but Çelik's sudden departure to Juventus has created an urgent need to strengthen the right flank. Molina has indicated he does not wish to discuss his future until after the World Cup concludes. Dodò, currently at Fiorentina, is also an option as the Tuscan club look to move him on.

Fresh details have emerged about Zeki Çelik's move to Juventus, revealing Roma was blindsided by the transfer. The Turkish right-back was scheduled to sign his contract renewal with Roma on Friday and attend the club's weekend training camp. Roma had already purchased his return flight to Fiumicino and prepared the documentation, but Çelik never countersigned his portion of the contract. Instead, he travelled to Turin for a medical examination and joined Juventus. According to Fabrizio Romano, Roma had already signed their section of the renewal agreement while remaining unaware of Çelik's intentions to leave. Sporting director Massara seized the opportunity to move quickly once the situation became clear. The manoeuvre left Gian Piero Gasperini without a key defender as the squad prepared for the new season.

Zeki Çelik has left AS Roma to join Juventus on a free transfer, ending four seasons at the Giallorossi. The Turkish full-back underwent medical tests at Juventus's J Medical facility in Turin and signed a contract binding him to the Bianconeri until 30 June 2029. Çelik was expected to return to Roma's Trigoria training ground in the coming days to resume pre-season work, but instead opted to depart after an initial verbal agreement with Roma over a contract renewal fell through. Çelik made 115 appearances and scored 2 goals during his time in the capital. His departure represents a significant loss to Roma's squad depth at right-back, a position now requiring reinforcement. The move reunites him with Ricky Massara, who recently left his role as Roma's sporting director to become Chief Football Officer at Juventus. Juventus confirmed the signing in an official statement, detailing that Çelik's deal runs through the 2028–29 season.

Roma are preparing a €45 million offer for Crysencio Summerville, the Dutch winger from West Ham. Sporting director D'Amico has tabled the bid after the player's agents met Roma's board in Italy in the past 48 hours. The club aims to complete the deal by the start of next week and beat rival competition. Zeki Çelik has left Roma to join Juventus despite a verbal agreement over a contract renewal with the Giallorossi. The Turkish fullback's deal with Roma expired on 30 June and has now completed medical tests at Juventus's J Medical facility in Turin. Roma are now targeting Olympique Marseille's Quinten Timber as midfield cover, with early contact already established. The 2001-born Dutchman shares a close bond with Roma's Donyell Malen through their shared youth and senior international paths. Besiktas are also in the running. Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal is moving closer to completion following a productive meeting yesterday between sporting director Tony D'Amico and the player's agent Giampiero Pocetta. Roma have already secured renewals for Çelik, Paulo Dybala, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante. Dybala's extension to 2027, confirmed three days ago, includes a €2.2 million annual base salary plus €100,000 per starting appearance (45+ minutes) up to €2 million, rising to €150,000 from the 21st appearance. Substitute appearances worth 20+ minutes earn €75,000 per match (capped at 20 games), then €100,000 thereafter. Bonus blocks of five combined goals and assists start at €100,000, reaching €1 million for 30 contributions. Team objectives including trophy wins or Champions League qualification trigger additional payments.

Robinio Vaz is attracting interest from multiple Serie A clubs as Roma explore potential loan exits. Cagliari have joined Bologna in pursuing the 2007-born winger, who will be sidelined for 15 days through injury. Head coach Gasperini does not view Vaz as ready to serve as backup to Malen, particularly with Champions League football in the picture, making a temporary departure an attractive option for the player to gain experience and minutes. Director D'Amico is juggling inbound priorities—specifically pursuing Summerville and Moreira—while managing outgoings from Trigoria. Vaz, a former Olympique Marseille player, is seeking greater playing time and confidence heading into the coming season. The central obstacle to any loan arrangement remains the player's salary, which both Bologna and Cagliari consider excessive for a prospect of his age and development stage.

Roma are pushing to sign at least one of two targets — Summerville or Moreira — in the coming days as the club seeks to strengthen its attacking options. D'Amico has secured the agreement of Moreira, who currently earns €900,000 annually and would see his salary rise to €2.5 million under a Roma deal. The Friedkin Group has set strict wage limits of €4 million maximum per player and a preference for signings aged 25–26 or under, except in special circumstances. Chelsea, despite maintaining good relations with Roma, are demanding €50 million for the Strasbourg winger regardless of the structure of any deal. The London club has also invoked their recent €60 million outlay on a player signed from Atalanta. A potential sale of Koné — with Manchester United in the running — could ease Roma's path to the Summerville transfer, though additional midfield investment would still be required. The club confirmed they have secured Tresoldi, who will serve as backup to Malen and has been locked down to prevent interest from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs.

Rome's radio stations have analysed Roma's transfer window, with particular focus on midfielder Manu Koné's potential departure. A €53 million fee for Koné was discussed across multiple programmes, with opinions divided on whether the club should sell. Nando Orsi stated: "For 53 million, Koné lo porto a cavacecio: it's a good price", while Alessandro Vocalelli called Koné "the most irreplaceable player at Roma" and said he would not let him leave if possible. Luigi Ferrajolo deemed the €53 million figure "roughly in line with his value" but questioned whether Roma should lose Koné, Svilar, or Wesley instead. Transfer activity elsewhere dominated discussion. Francesco Balzani predicted Moreira would be Roma's first completed signing, with the club having "given the player the right value" and planning a future resale. Summerville remains a target but negotiations have stalled—the player continues to demand over €5 million per season in wages. Piero Torri suggested Moreira and Summerville are not alternatives but complementary signings, with Moreira capable of playing multiple positions. Lorenzo Pes noted that Gasperini wants two attacking wingers and that Moreira's modest wage demand aids negotiations, though Summerville's situation requires further work. Contract extensions were also covered: Bryan Cristante extended his deal by one year, while Gianluca Mancini added two years, though Mancini received a minor salary increase. Pes suggested Gasperini may be avoiding overly long contracts to maintain tactical flexibility.

Roma expect to receive a €53 million offer from Manchester United for midfielder Manu Koné, according to Rio Ferdinand. The club is not denying the likely departure of the French midfielder, who will first play the third-place playoff for England before considering his options with his representatives. Though a move to Paris Saint-Germain remains his preference, a Premier League offer would be difficult to refuse. For Roma, selling Koné is necessary to generate a substantial profit of around €40 million and resolve their UEFA dispute. With difficulties surrounding moves for Matías Soulé and Wesley, and a wall around Radosław Żelezny, Koné represents the only realistic path to that figure. Roma's coaching staff is already compiling replacement options. Celtic's Engels, 22, stands out as a primary target. At 1.85 metres tall with excellent technical ability, he offers significant dynamism, game vision, and strong insertion runs. His cost is estimated at €20–25 million. Danilo Santos of Botafogo is valued at €30–35 million and shares more tactical similarities with Koné—standing 177 cm and weighing 70 kg, he compensates for a lean frame with ball-recovery abilities, smart distribution, and clean passing. Other names under consideration include Camara of Monaco, priced at €40 million after a strong Ligue 1 campaign, and Varela of Porto. Both represent higher investment priorities for other areas of the pitch at present.

Roma have opened talks to sign Endrick from Real Madrid on loan as they look to bolster their attacking options. The 21-year-old Brazilian has fallen down the pecking order at the Bernabéu and is available to leave, having recently completed a six-month loan spell at Lyon under Fonseca where he scored 7 goals in 19 matches. Endrick would reunite with fellow Brazilian Wesley at the Giallorossi and is open to the move. Real Madrid are unwilling to sell permanently and prefer to loan the player out with a fee attached, allowing them to assess his future prospects. Roma would be interested on those terms but want to include a redemption clause with a buyback option favouring Real Madrid. The structure suits the capital club financially as they attempt to add depth to their forward line. However, the move faces a potential obstacle: José Mourinho intends to further evaluate Endrick before committing to bringing him in, keen to test whether he fits the team's tactical needs for the coming season.

Roma started serious preparation for the 2026–27 season on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming a 17-man squad for initial training at Trigoria. Paulo Dybala featured in the group and marked his contract renewal with a short interview on Roma's official channels. Wesley returned to training immediately following the injury that forced him to miss the World Cup, training alongside teammates in the new kit that showcases the restored classic crest. Gasperini was accompanied by sporting director Tony D'Amico. The initial squad includes four goalkeepers—Svilar, Gollini, De Marzi, and Vasquez—and seven defenders: Angeliño, Ghilardi, Hermoso, Mancini, Rensch, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Çelik will join on 18 August after completing his holiday following his contract renewal, while N'Dicka is due to arrive on 22 August. Only Pisilli and Cristante are currently available in midfield, with El Aynaoui expected on 30 August and Koné's arrival date to be confirmed pending the end of the World Cup. The attacking line features Dybala, Dovbyk, Soulé, and Vaz, with Dybala the only forward certain to remain at the club long-term. The squad is staying overnight at Fulvio Bernardini training centre and will undergo a double session today—training at 08:00 and 18:00. Roma have also opened ticket sales for their first official pre-season match at Cannes on 26 July at Pierre de Coubertin stadium, with visiting supporters' tickets priced at €15 each through AS Cannes' official website.

AS Roma opened summer training at Trigoria on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his squad, with dozens of supporters present to greet the team. Players reported around 12:00 and completed their first session at 18:00. Notably absent from the squad call were World Cup representatives Koné (still in competition), N'Dicka, El Aynaoui, Malen, and Çelik—who is close to renewing his contract—as well as Pellegrini, sidelined by injury but nearing a contract extension. Paulo Dybala's renewal has been officially confirmed through 30 June 2027. The forward said: "This story continues, as everyone wanted—the club, me, and the fans. I'm happy to play another season here, another year in this city. Being able to defend Roma's shirt is a privilege for me. Roma means many things to me: honour, responsibility, beauty. There are also many personal reasons that brought me to be here today. When the music we've all been waiting for plays—the Champions League—we'll look at each other, us on the pitch and you in the stands, and we'll be proud of what we're doing." Gasperini told Rai Radio Uno the Friedkins will arrive in the coming hours and stressed the importance of their presence. "From today there will be important accelerations. We hope to do good business in the market and give answers to the enthusiasm of a city that has already made many subscriptions," he said. Pellegrini is set to sign until 2028 with a 2029 option, earning €2.5 million per season plus bonuses; the deal is in final stages before signature.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his initial squad of 17 players for Roma's pre-season training camp at Trigoria as the 2026–27 season officially begins. The Giallorossi are preparing for the new Serie A campaign and a return to Champions League football. Several key players are absent from the initial group. Zeki Çelik is unavailable after his contract expired on 30 June; the Turkish defender is completing his break following the World Cup with his national team, though a contract renewal remains under discussion. Lorenzo Pellegrini is similarly without a deal at present. A staggered return has been arranged for other recent internationals: Evan N'Dicka and Donyell Malen, both recently eliminated from the World Cup, will join the squad later, as will El Aynaoui. Manu Koné's arrival date is yet to be confirmed as he continues with France at the World Cup. Several players returning from loan spells will also train with the first team while their future transfers are resolved. For all involved, the pre-season retreat represents an opportunity to impress Gasperini and stake their claim for the campaign ahead.