Gasperini discusses Koné's recovery and hopes for greater Friedkin involvement ahead of Verona clash

Manu Koné, AS Roma's midfielder, discussed France's match against Paraguay following the game. Speaking to Bein Sports France, Koné reflected on the encounter, describing it as a difficult match featuring continuous physical battles. He emphasized that France did not fall into Paraguay's tactical approach, suggesting his team maintained discipline and composure throughout the contest. The match highlighted the intensity typical of World Cup qualification or tournament play, where defensive organization and mental resilience are crucial. Koné's involvement underscores Roma's representation at international football's highest level during this window.

French midfielder Adrien Rabiot has spoken positively about his Roma teammate Manu Koné during France's World Cup campaign. Rabiot highlighted the differences between Koné and fellow midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni, noting that while Tchouameni operates deeper to build play from defence, Koné excels in dribbling and creating passing opportunities to break defensive lines. Rabiot stated: "The difference between Tchouameni and Koné? They are rather different players. Aurélien drops back and builds play between the centre-backs. Manu, instead, perhaps has greater propensity for dribbling and searching for passes to unlock opposition lines. You have to adapt, but they are two excellent players with whom it is easy to play." Koné has emerged as one of Roma's key players competing at the tournament alongside Donyell Malen. The midfielder featured in matches against Iraq and Norway after missing the opening game, accumulating 180 minutes and establishing himself as a regular starter under France manager Deschamps. Rabiot confirmed that both players have developed good understanding in midfield, including when they played together during France's encounter with Norway. The positive assessment underscores Koné's importance to Roma's plans as the club looks forward to the coming season.

Donyell Malen has given an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, discussing his experience at Roma and his aspirations with the club. Malen expressed enthusiasm about his time at the Giallorossi, describing the atmosphere and environment as excellent. He stated his desire to win a trophy with Roma, balancing his ambitions at club level with his broader international football goals. The interview touches on both his immediate focus with Roma and his longer-term perspective in the sport.

Juventus have begun their search for a new goalkeeper after deciding to part ways with Michele Di Gregorio, who underperformed last season and lost his starting position to Mattia Perin. The club's first choice was AS Roma's Mile Svilar, but Roma rejected a substantial €42 million offer. Gian Piero Gasperini has no intention of selling his starting keeper, particularly as Roma prepare for their first Champions League appearance in nearly a decade. With Svilar unavailable, Juventus have shifted focus to Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez. Martinez has impressed both for Argentina on World Cup duty and for Villa, where he helped secure a Europa League trophy and a top-four Premier League finish. However, his contract at Villa Park runs until 2029, and the club has set a €15 million price tag on the Argentine goalkeeper. Juventus have already deemed Villa's valuation excessive, considering Martinez will turn 34 in September. Despite his age, the report suggests he could serve as a short-term solution for the Italian club, though details remain unclear on whether negotiations will progress further.

Mile Svilar is preparing for the upcoming season with renewed determination to compete for AS Roma in both domestic and European competitions. The goalkeeper is undergoing intense training sessions as the club prepares for its summer retreat, signaling his readiness to be a key figure for the Giallorossi in the campaign ahead. Svilar's focus on pre-season conditioning reflects Roma's ambitions to challenge for silverware and establish themselves as Champions League contenders. His commitment during this preparatory phase underscores his importance to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's plans for the new season. The club is prioritizing fitness and tactical development as players return for their summer training schedule. Details regarding the specific timing and location of Roma's summer retreat remain unclear, though the club is evidently prioritizing comprehensive preparation ahead of competitive fixtures. Svilar's determination to deliver for Roma highlights the squad's collective mindset as they look to make an impact both domestically and on the European stage.

Roma successfully resisted attempts by rival clubs to acquire key players on June 30th. Juventus approached the club for Mile Svilar, while Inter and Porto both made offers for Niccolò Pisilli. Additionally, Matías Soulé rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, with his agent expressing frustration over how the negotiations were handled. Despite pressure from multiple directions, Roma declined all approaches and maintained their squad. UEFA has granted Roma a one-month extension on the deadline for including player sales in their financial records due to World Cup scheduling, though this grace period does not apply to new acquisitions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his desire to retain Wesley, Evan N'Dicka, and Manu Koné as cornerstones of his squad, and the club hierarchy has prioritized keeping the manager satisfied. Roma intends to argue to UEFA that they can manage financial losses through peripheral transactions if necessary. Failure to meet Financial Fair Play requirements could expose Roma to fines exceeding €10 million and squad restrictions in 2027–28, though harsher penalties are considered unlikely. The club's strategy appears focused on retaining its top-tier players while strengthening the squad around the margins in the coming weeks.