Gasperini outlines Roma's Champions League ambitions across three competitions

AC Milan has offered Portuguese winger Rafa Leão to Roma as the Serie A club seeks to move him on after seven seasons. Leão himself has confirmed his desire for a new challenge following the end of the season. Milan, now under the management of Amorim, is willing to let him leave but only on a loan deal with an obligation to buy set at €60 million. Roma's transfer focus this summer has centred on reshaping the attacking department, with several forwards under consideration. The Leão proposal represents a new option for the Giallorossi, though the deal presents significant financial hurdles. The combined costs of the loan arrangement and the mandatory purchase clause make the overall operation extremely challenging for Roma to complete, independent of the player's own willingness to join. Details remain unclear regarding Roma's interest level or negotiations at this stage. The club continues to monitor other attacking targets as well, with the transfer window expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical requirements are reportedly pushing midfielder Matías Soulé toward a potential departure from AS Roma. The arrival of the new coach has not altered Roma's offensive recruitment strategy, though his specific demands appear to have implications for the squad's structure. Details remain unclear regarding the exact nature of Gasperini's requirements and whether Soulé's exit is imminent or being actively pursued by the club.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has taken a direct role in efforts to bring Mason Greenwood to the club, with a telephone conversation between the two forming a key part of the recruitment push. Gasperini personally contacted Greenwood as part of Roma's mission to secure the forward's signature. The move represents Roma's continued ambition in the transfer market under new coaching leadership. Details of what Gasperini told Greenwood during the call remain unclear from available information.

Roma is reportedly exploring a possible transfer axis with Bologna as the summer window accelerates. The Giallorossi have made contact regarding three players: Argentine striker Castro, Scottish midfielder Ferguson (Bologna's captain), and defender Ghilardi. Castro, who has also attracted interest from Nottingham Forest, is valued at approximately 40 million euros by Bologna. Ferguson, recently eliminated from the World Cup despite strong individual performances, has drawn attention from Rangers and Atalanta; Bologna is seeking at least 20 million euros plus bonuses for the midfielder. Head coach Gasperini's squad-building plans remain the priority for the Friedkin Group, with Greenwood continuing as the primary transfer target. Roma has informed Bologna that defender Kumbulla—returning from a loan spell at Majorca—is available for transfer, while Bologna has expressed interest in Ghilardi, particularly given the expected departure of Lucumì. The club views Freuler, available on a free transfer from 1 July, as below their level of priority. Details of any formal offers or agreements remain unclear. The 30 June deadline is slowing activity across the market but does not appear to concern Roma's ownership, who remain focused on delivering a competitive squad across all competitions.

Robinio Vaz, the French forward who joined Roma from Marseille in January for €25 million, faces an uncertain future at the club. His status remains suspended as Roma evaluates his position within the squad, with two potential paths emerging: a loan move to a club where he would play regularly, or remaining at Trigoria as a third-choice striker behind other attacking options. With Artem Dovbyk departing and Ferguson returning to Brighton, Roma is undertaking a significant restyling of its attacking department under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club plans to recruit forwards suited to Gasperini's tactical approach, including a reserve striker in addition to attacking midfielders. Vaz, born in 2007, showed modest progress during his first months but has gradually fallen to the periphery of the project. Roma's current assessment of the young forward remains suspended in judgment. If a suitable opportunity emerges where Vaz would be guaranteed substantial playing time, Roma may consider loaning him out. However, the alternative scenario—where he continues his development at the club's training ground as the third attacking option—remains equally possible. His future will likely depend on Roma's incoming signings and the young player's capacity to force his way back into Gasperini's plans.

AS Roma has fundamentally altered its approach to recruitment following the departure of former sporting director Massara and the appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach. Young prospects acquired for future development—including Robinio Vaz, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi, Venturino, and Ferguson—are now considered surplus to requirements. The club has signaled these players may depart, either permanently or on loan, as Gasperini prioritizes immediate-impact signings over long-term investments. Gasperini's vision emphasizes players ready to contribute immediately rather than prospects requiring development time. Ziolkowski, a Polish defender, has reportedly been rejected multiple times by the coach and could leave permanently, with Nottingham reportedly interested at a valuation of 20 million euros. Similarly, Vaz, a French forward, no longer fits the profile of a reliable backup to Donyell Malen. The club has also rejected Bosnian midfielder Alajebgovic (class 2007), whom Massara had long tracked, with Gasperini deeming him too inexperienced despite interest from Bayer Leverkusen at 35 million euros. Roma's new sporting director D'Amico is recalibrating the transfer strategy to align with Gasperini's demands for quality and readiness rather than raw potential. Targets like Mason Greenwood and Molina represent this shift—experienced international players capable of performing on Europe's biggest stages. With Roma now competing in the Champions League, the club believes there is no margin for experimental signings.

Roma is reshaping its fullback options this summer. Angeliño, a 1997-born left-back, is reportedly a target for Deportivo La Coruña, the Spanish club where he developed and recently returned to Liga. However, Angeliño's priority is to prove his value to Gasperini at Roma after missing most of last season through a serious, prolonged injury that affected his fitness and availability. With Wesley established on the left and Tsimikas returning to Liverpool, Angeliño's future remains uncertain as he seeks to regain his place in the squad. On the right flank, Roma's interest in Dodò has reportedly strengthened. The Brazilian fullback, 27, plays for Fiorentina under a contract running until 2027 but desires Champions League football. Napoli has also pursued him, though the club may step back from the competition soon. Rensch's status at Roma is described as uncertain, while Celik moves closer to a contract extension. Roma's fullback reshuffling reflects the need for greater depth and injury resilience across both flanks after a disrupted campaign.

Italy won a international friendly against Greece, with Pio Esposito scoring the decisive goal. Niccolò Pisilli, the AS Roma midfielder, played the full 90 minutes for Italy. Silvio Baldini, named interim national team coach, secured his second consecutive victory in charge. Greece's Tsimikas entered the match during the second half. Pisilli's full-match appearance provides Roma with confirmation of his fitness and form at international level, following his development as a key youth prospect in the club's midfield setup.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed his squad list for Roma's final Serie A match against Verona at the Bentegodi, a fixture critical to the club's bid for Champions League qualification. Midfielder Manu Koné returns after missing the recent derby, though he is expected to start on the bench. Absent from the selection are Lorenzo Pellegrini, sidelined by a muscular problem, and Tsimikas, who is recovering from influenza. Both players will travel with the squad despite not being available for selection. Wesley remains unavailable due to suspension, while defender Ndicka is out with a muscular injury. The match represents Roma's final opportunity to secure European football next season. Gasperini's squad combines established players with squad depth, with forwards Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé expected to form the attacking pair. The full list of 26 players includes goalkeeper Mile Svilar and a mix of defensive, midfield, and attacking options to navigate what is anticipated to be a competitive encounter. The squad announcement followed Gasperini's afternoon press conference, with the coach having just days to prepare his team for the decisive fixture.

Stephan El Shaarawy is poised to join Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab on a two-year contract worth 10 million euros per season. The move comes shortly after the winger's wedding to Ludovica Pagani. El Shaarawy's departure represents a significant outflow from Roma's roster as the club navigates the summer transfer window. With El Shaarawy exiting, Roma is reportedly among clubs considering a move for Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié, who is looking to leave Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli and return to European football. Juventus is also mentioned as a potential suitor. Kessié had been earning 14 million euros annually in Saudi Arabia and would accept a substantially reduced salary to rejoin Serie A. The possibility of Kessié's arrival suggests Roma is reshaping its midfield options ahead of the new season. Details regarding the timeline and final terms of negotiations for both players remain unclear.

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.

Stephan El Shaarawy married Ludovica Pagani at Villa Aldobrandini near Frascati, with a significant Roma contingent in attendance. Current Roma players Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante, and Lorenzo Pellegrini were among the guests, joined by former Roma midfielder Sergio Oliveira, who was visiting Rome for the occasion. Gollini also attended the celebration. A photograph posted on social media showed Oliveira and Pellegrini together, featuring emoji of a yellow heart, red heart, and the Roma wolf symbol. The reunion held special significance for several attendees. Mancini, Cristante, Oliveira, and Pellegrini all shared a memorable experience in 2022 when they won the UEFA Europa Conference League in Tirana. The wedding brought together members of that historic squad to celebrate El Shaarawy's marriage to the Bergamo-based DJ and influencer. The gathering highlighted the close bonds that persist among Roma's players and former squad members. El Shaarawy, nicknamed "the Pharaoh," has been part of Roma's recent history, and the presence of current players underscored the team's tight-knit culture.