Gasperini eager to plan next season but Roma still searching for sporting director

Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region, has set out strict conditions for the proposed new Roma stadium at Pietralata. Speaking at a press conference at Pertini Hospital, Rocca made clear that two issues are non-negotiable: acoustic protection and traffic management. He stated: "For the Stadium at Pietralata there are two things. First, acoustics, which is non-negotiable. The hospital and nearby homes must be protected and the stadium's acoustics must never interfere with a hospital's quiet: we must have a guarantee, through design, that this is certain." The acoustics requirement stems from the stadium's proximity to Pertini Hospital and residential areas. Rocca's second concern centers on traffic and parking, drawing from personal experience living near the Stadio Olimpico. He warned: "If the area is not well served and if there are problems these cannot absolutely be discharged onto the Pertini. The mayor knows this aspect very well and I expect clear answers for traffic that does not harm citizens and ensures necessary emergency-urgent pathways and the right to visits for hospitalized patients. All this must absolutely be guaranteed, even on days when the stadium will be used." Rocca emphasized that he expects the mayor to provide clear solutions addressing these infrastructure concerns before the project advances further.

AS Roma has opened ticket sales for a pre-season friendly against Newport County. The match is scheduled for 13 July at Trigoria as part of Roma's preparation for the upcoming 2024–25 season. Details regarding ticket prices, allocation, and sales channels remain unclear from the available information.

Abel Xavier, the Portuguese defender who became one of AS Roma's most notorious transfer failures, has undergone a complete life transformation. Xavier arrived at Roma in 2004 on a pay-per-appearance contract during the club's chaotic five-manager season, but managed only four appearances in a single campaign marked more by his eccentric public image—bleached hair and provocative styling—than his on-pitch performances. Despite earlier career stints at major clubs including Liverpool, Benfica, Everton, and Galatasaray, Xavier struggled to establish himself at the Giallorossi. Today, Xavier has converted to Islam and changed his name to Faisal. In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Caras, he explained: "Potete chiamarmi Abel, Faisal o Abel Faisal Xavier. In sostanza, volevo mantenere lo stesso nome, ma essere riconosciuto da un nome storico nell'Islam, che mi era stato attribuito dal fratello del re degli Emirati, che mi battezzò e che mi rese orgoglioso di scegliere un nome così importante." He attributed his past struggles to being judged by his image and attitude rather than truly understood as a person, describing himself as having "a volcano inside" that eventually had to explode. Since retiring from football in 2009, Xavier has pursued diverse endeavours including humanitarian work with the United Nations, commentary for CNN, and appearances in cinema, including a 2016 Brazilian horror series episode and a 2009 documentary. He later worked as a coach, managing Mozambique's national team after spells in Portugal.

Ed Shipley, a senior aide to the Friedkin Group, is expected to arrive at Roma's Trigoria training ground in the coming days. His arrival comes as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini prepares for the squad's July 13 gathering and seeks reinforcements before the start of the season. Roma is ready to submit an initial offer to Marseille for Mason Greenwood worth €40 million plus bonuses, though the proposal falls roughly €10 million short of the French club's asking price. The club has reportedly reached personal terms with the English winger but faces pressure to move quickly to prevent rival interest. Gasperini's transfer wishlist extends beyond Greenwood. The coach has also identified targets including another wide attacker, a wide midfielder, a backup to Hermoso in defence, and an additional midfielder. The overhaul reflects broader changes at the club; Bruno Conti has departed, prompting Roma to restructure its youth academy setup. The coming weeks will be critical as Roma aims to strengthen its squad and prepare for the new campaign under Gasperini's direction.

AS Roma has reached an agreement with English winger Mason Greenwood and is preparing to submit a formal bid to Olympique Marseille. The initial offer of €40 million plus bonuses is ready, though Marseille is seeking €50 million plus add-ons. Roma has offered Greenwood a contract worth just under €5 million per season. The bid will be submitted after 30 June to signal to UEFA that the club has focused on resolving profit-and-loss issues during the month. Head coach Gasperini hopes to have Greenwood in place by 13 July, with the player keen to move and compete in the Champions League. Gasperini identified Greenwood as key to raising the team's level and winning immediately. The coach and Greenwood's father, who acts as his agent, held discussions approximately a month ago. The Friedkin Group ownership will now engage directly with Marseille owner McCourt, also American, to negotiate the transfer. Greenwood's arrival would represent a significant investment in attacking reinforcements as Roma seeks to strengthen its squad for the coming season. Elsewhere in the market, Roma continues to pursue other targets. Alternative wingers Tel and Sauer remain under consideration after Summerville fell through. On the flanks, full-back Dodô has not gained traction, and while Molina interests the club, Gasperini prefers a younger profile in that position—the Argentine is 28 years old. Defensive recruitment also continues, with Roma seeking a backup for Hermoso and potentially exploring Ostigard only if Ndicka departs.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has outlined his transfer strategy for Roma's defence, prioritizing continuity over upheaval. The club finished the season with the second-best defence in Serie A, conceding just 31 goals. Gasperini intends to keep the core three—Gianluca Mancini, Hermoso, and Ndicka—as the foundation for next season's Champions League campaign. No departures of starting defenders are planned; instead, Roma will pursue targeted additions to strengthen depth and competition. Among the profiles under consideration are Ostigard from Genoa and Disasi from Chelsea. Ostigard, a Norwegian defender known for aerial prowess and physical dominance, is valued at approximately 8 million euros and appeals to Gasperini's tactical preferences. Disasi represents a more costly option; Chelsea is seeking 25 million euros, but Roma are exploring a loan arrangement. Young centre-back Ghilardi, who developed significantly during the season, is expected to remain and potentially become a key rotation option for European fixtures. Ziolkowski, conversely, remains available for transfer as a potential source of profit. Gasperini has consistently emphasized a measured reconstruction: strategic investments without excessive spending, signing players suited to his football philosophy and ready to compete. The coach aims to avoid complacency following third-place finish while building from defensive stability—a proven foundation in Serie A title races. Roma's return to the Champions League after seven years places added emphasis on tactical preparation and depth.

Roma's senior squad members have made a collective decision to back the club's sporting project, with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini among those signalling their commitment to remain. The move follows the Friedkin Group's backing of the team's direction. The core group of established players are betting heavily on the technical plan moving forward, representing a show of unity from within the squad at a crucial moment for the club.

AS Roma are pushing forward with contract renewal negotiations during a busy period at the club. Lorenzo Pellegrini's renewal is seeing accelerated progress, while Zeki Celik's deal is reportedly nearing completion, with only the official announcement pending. The club is balancing new signings with efforts to extend deals for key squad members. Details on the exact terms and timeline for both renewals remain unclear.

Head coach Gasperini is urging the Friedkin Group to accelerate Roma's transfer activity ahead of the squad's return on 13 July. With only 13 players currently available and the club's pre-season camp fast approaching, the coach wants new signings in place as soon as possible. Gasperini has identified Mason Greenwood and Moreira as his top priorities to strengthen the squad immediately. Greenwood remains the primary target to elevate Roma's competitive level, though competition is intense. Fenerbahce continues to pursue the English winger, though Champions League qualification remains uncertain for the Istanbul club. Atlético Madrid has also shown interest but must first resolve the Julian Álvarez situation with manager Simeone. Al Hilal has made an offer, but Greenwood prefers to remain in Europe. For Moreira, Roma maintains contact with Strasbourg, where the midfielder's valuation sits around €40 million and negotiations are ongoing. Chelsea's potential involvement could complicate that deal. Additionally, Roma has scouted alternatives including Garnacho, though Real Sociedad manager Xabi Alonso intends to evaluate him further. The club is also monitoring Kumbedi for the wing position, while striker Dovbyk will not move to Genoa. Roma's senior players Pellegrini, Dybala, and Çelik must finalize contract renewals before the July 20 return of international players.

Zeki Celik is close to signing a new three-year contract with AS Roma following Turkey's elimination from the World Cup at the group stage. The club and player have reached an agreement in principle, with an announcement expected in the coming days. However, Celik will not be Gasperini's starting right-back. The head coach has requested reinforcement on the right flank and views Celik as a versatile option who can operate on either wing or as a right centre-back to rotate with Gianluca Mancini. Gasperini's primary target for the right-back position is a younger profile than Molina, who is considered a secondary option at 28 years old. Dodô is not being pursued, as Roma has not made any formal approach for the player. On the left side, Wesley remains a key part of the plans after rejecting Chelsea and is ready for the upcoming season. Ruggeri is not a target for Roma. The club will seek an alternative to Wesley on the left, with Angeliño expected to depart. Roma continues to work on contract extensions for key players, with Celik's renewal progressing alongside talks with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini regarding their own deals.

Inter has reportedly reactivated contact with AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka as the Serie A transfer window officially opens. The club is exploring alternatives after failing to secure other defensive targets. Ndicka, currently on international duty with Ivory Coast, is considered a key reinforcement for Inter's defence, but Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views him as non-transferable. Inter's pursuit of other defensive options, including an unnamed player reportedly from another club, has stalled, prompting the renewed approach for the Roma defender. Niccolò Pisilli has also emerged as a potential target for Inter, with reports suggesting the club is considering the Roma midfielder as an alternative in their search for a successor in that position. The 2004-born midfielder is valued at approximately 25 million euros. However, both Ndicka and Pisilli have repeatedly expressed their commitment to Roma, and the club has made clear it does not wish to part with either player. Gasperini's stance on keeping these players is firm, presenting significant obstacles to any Inter move. Closing a 30-million-euro deal or higher in the remaining hours before the deadline would prove extremely difficult logistically. Additionally, Gianluca Mancini is approaching a contract extension with Roma and is unlikely to move to Milan.

Sergio Oliveira, the Portuguese midfielder who left Roma, returned to the city to attend the wedding of El Shaarawy and Ludovica Pagani. At the celebration, Oliveira reconnected with former teammates Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, and Gianluca Mancini—players with whom he won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022. Oliveira shared his reflections on social media about his time at Roma, saying: "Roma is special. It has brought me so much. Not only sporting moments but mainly fantastic people. I am very happy to be here on this beautiful day, a truly special moment for my friend Ste. Even though we spent little time together, when you share the same values it becomes easy to understand each other and lend a hand. Thank you to you all and I wish you a life full of happiness." The post underscores the bond formed during the Giallorossi's successful European campaign and the lasting relationships built within the club. The wedding also included attendance from other Roma-connected figures, with details of their presence marking another chapter in the club's recent history of trophy success.