Friedkin Group set to invest $3.5 billion in NHL expansion team

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has ruled out discussing Endrick with José Mourinho ahead of tomorrow's match, stating that the transfer market holds no interest for him at present. Gasperini said: "We have just begun a run of matches and we will experience tomorrow's fixture as an event that has been missing for many years. We will live it that way." The fixture marks a significant occasion for Roma, with Gasperini emphasising the weight of the occasion. He added: "Tomorrow we will understand our level but we must not lose sight of who we are. Mou deserves the affection of the people." The comments come as Roma prepare for a match Gasperini considers a defining moment in the club's current campaign, though he has signalled that squad reinforcements are not a priority in his immediate thinking.

AS Roma has cleared a significant administrative hurdle in its plan to build a new stadium. The Lazio Region granted approval this morning for the environmental impact assessment of the club's technical and economic feasibility project. The regional Environment, Energy Transition and Waste Management directorate issued a favourable environmental assessment opinion on the new facility's construction and operation plans, as published in the official regional bulletin. The favourable ruling from the Rocca administration comes with prescriptions and conditions that must be incorporated into subsequent authorisation procedures. The authority responsible for issuing final permission will verify compliance with those prescriptions and report any violations. The environmental assessment represents a significant phase in the administrative process but does not yet constitute final clearance to begin construction.

Real Madrid will arrive at the Olimpico with all their key players available for the Champions League clash against Roma. Konaté, Valverde and Mbappé, initially in doubt owing to physical problems before the international break, played regularly against Villarreal and will be at manager José Mourinho's disposal. Mourinho will hold his pre-match press conference this evening at 18:00. This week carries profound emotional weight for Roma supporters: first the return of Mourinho with Real Madrid, then that of Daniele De Rossi managing Genoa against the club. Both figures departed abruptly from Roma's recent history. Mourinho revived the club's standing in major European competition, while De Rossi remains an absolute symbol of the club, with 616 appearances and 63 goals in a Roma shirt. Both fixtures have sold out at the Olimpico — the Champions League match and the Serie A encounter against Genoa — lending extra significance to the returns of these two men to the capital. The week ahead will test Roma fans emotionally as they confront two rival managers who shaped the recent era: one who brought Continental prestige back to Giallorossi, and one who embodied the club's identity through his long playing career.

The Friedkin Group is considering selling its majority stake in Everton and welcoming new investors into the club, marking a shift in strategy from earlier plans to seek only minority partnerships. The Athletic reports that the family has expanded its options to include a possible exit from control of the English club, which they acquired at the end of 2024. The potential sale comes as The Friedkin Group pursues a separate expansion into the NHL with a franchise in Texas, an investment estimated at approximately $3.5 billion that would cover both the entry fee and construction of a new arena. The exploration of Everton's future does not signal any retreat from AS Roma. The club remains a central asset in the Friedkin sporting portfolio and continues to receive investment in technical, infrastructure and stadium projects. Roma's position is described as stable, with no indication of disengagement emerging at this stage. The NHL expansion process with the North American league is not yet concluded and requires further approval procedures. The article notes that it would be premature to assume the possible Everton sale is directly tied to financing the new hockey franchise, as some American reports lack sufficient evidence to establish a direct connection between the two plans. The Friedkin Group's broader strategy is becoming more complex, with the family now evaluating every available option for Everton, from simply opening the club to new partners through to a full sale of control, less than two years after entering Liverpool.

Antonio Arena, Roma's young striker, has been named among the 60 most promising players born in 2009 globally in a list compiled by The Guardian. The Primavera talent has already scored for the first team in the Coppa Italia and regularly features in Gasperini's matchday squads for Serie A fixtures, demonstrating qualities that set him apart from his peers. Arena's inclusion reflects his early impact at Roma, where he has attracted the attention of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who frequently calls him up for league matches. The recognition underscores the talent emerging from the club's academy and the confidence placed in him by the first-team staff. The Guardian's list also includes Riccardo Cassano of Como and Destiny Elimoghale of Juventus among the 60 young players identified as prospects.

The Guardian has included three Italian young players in its "Next Generation" selection of 60 of the world's best prospects born in 2009, among them Antonio Arena of Roma. In the 2026–27 season, Arena has made 4 appearances for Roma's Primavera, scoring 1 goal and providing 3 assists. He previously made his first-team debut in the 2025–26 season, scoring in the Coppa Italia against Torino in a 2–3 defeat at Stadio Olimpico. Also named in the list is Roma goalkeeper Slim Bouaskar, who was born and raised in Rome but represents Tunisia at international level and continues to feature in Roma's youth ranks and international tournaments including the U17 World Cup. Bouaskar has not yet made his senior debut for Roma. The list also includes Riccardo Cassano of Como and Destiny Elimoghale of Juventus. The Guardian identified Arena as a centre-forward with classical traits and aerial strength, effective in the box. The publication noted his striking debut record: a goal on his first appearance with Pescara in Serie C, followed by a goal on his first touch with Roma in the Coppa Italia match against Torino. His mentality has impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who believes the young player has "strength to sell". Of Bouaskar, The Guardian described him as a talent from the Tunisian diaspora and one of the few positive notes in a complicated year for Tunisian football. Standing 1.88 metres tall, he commands the defence, reads his exits well, and possesses notable reflexes. Former Roma manager José Mourinho noticed him during his time at the club, while Claudio Ranieri gave him his first real opportunity. Bouaskar has shone in youth competitions including the U17 World Cup, the 2025 U17 African Cup of Nations, and the U20 UNAF tournament, though he has yet to debut for Roma or Tunisia's senior side.