Gasperini's rule of three: transfers, renewals and the search for a new sporting director

Roma have tabled their first offer to Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho as they look to strengthen Gasperini's squad for the Champions League. The proposal consists of a loan with a 5 million euro fee plus 35 million euros in a buyout clause that would become mandatory under certain conditions. Garnacho is not the only target on Roma's radar. The club continues to pursue Summerville from West Ham after the Dutch winger's move to Manchester United fell through, with the player being offered to Roma once again. Arsenal and other top clubs are also tracking Tzolis from Club Brugge, though Roma remain interested in the Belgian club's player. Roma are additionally working on a deal for Diego Moreira, with an offer reported to be close to 30–35 million euros plus a percentage of future sale revenue.

AS Roma began its summer training camp at Trigoria on Wednesday morning under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club confirmed the squad of 17 players taking part in the initial phase of pre-season activity in the capital. The roster includes several players listed for sale: Cherubini, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale and Pagano. On the transfer front, Chelsea has granted Roma clearance to negotiate with Strasbourg over Diego Moreira by declining to exercise a buyback clause. The pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho remains more complex, though Xabi Alonso confirmed the Manchester United forward will leave Chelsea, stating: "There are many teams interested." Paulo Dybala's contract renewal with Roma has been officially confirmed.

Roma began their pre-season training camp at the Fulvio Bernardini centre on Monday, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming the squad roster. Paulo Dybala's contract extension has been officially confirmed, with the Argentine forward's deal now running until 2027. The first day of training marks the formal start of Roma's preparation for the upcoming season. Gasperini released the list of called-up players to continue building fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of competitive fixtures.

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.

Roma have announced a 17-player squad for the opening phase of their pre-season training camp under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala is included after signing a contract extension to 30 June 2027. Absent are Zeki Çelik and Lorenzo Pellegrini, both still finalizing renewal negotiations. Çelik is expected to arrive at Trigoria on 18 July, while Pellegrini's return date remains uncertain. Five additional players—Cherubini, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano—have been added to the first-team squad pending potential departures. The squad will train this afternoon at 18:00 and overnight at Trigoria. Double sessions are scheduled for tomorrow: 08:00 and 18:00, with another overnight stay at the training centre. Several internationals are due back on staggered dates: Evan N'Dicka and Donyell Malen on 22 July, Neil El Aynaoui on 30 July, and Manu Koné at a date still to be confirmed as he continues World Cup involvement. The official squad list includes: Angelino, Cristante, De Marzi, Dovbyk, Dybala, Ghilardi, Gollini, Hermoso, Mancini, Pisilli, Rensch, Soulé, Svilar, Vasquez, Vaz, Wesley, and Ziolkowski.

AS Roma began its summer training camp at Trigoria on Wednesday morning under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club confirmed the squad of 17 players taking part in the initial phase of pre-season activity in the capital. The roster includes several players listed for sale: Cherubini, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale and Pagano. On the transfer front, Chelsea has granted Roma clearance to negotiate with Strasbourg over Diego Moreira by declining to exercise a buyback clause. The pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho remains more complex, though Xabi Alonso confirmed the Manchester United forward will leave Chelsea, stating: "There are many teams interested." Paulo Dybala's contract renewal with Roma has been officially confirmed.

Roma began their pre-season training camp at the Fulvio Bernardini centre on Monday, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming the squad roster. Paulo Dybala's contract extension has been officially confirmed, with the Argentine forward's deal now running until 2027. The first day of training marks the formal start of Roma's preparation for the upcoming season. Gasperini released the list of called-up players to continue building fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of competitive fixtures.

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.

Nine players assembled during Gian Piero Gasperini's first season at Roma have combined for 100 appearances across Serie A and cup competitions but have failed to establish themselves as regular contributors. Pierluigi Gollini featured only once, against Panathinaikos in January's final Europa League group stage match. Angeliño made brief appearances against Celtic and Panathinaikos before a March return to the Olimpico against Lecce, where he saw limited action in the run-in. Robinio Vaz, signed for 20 million euros plus 5 million in bonuses in January alongside Donyell Malen, scored his sole Roma goal against Lecce but has proven too raw for immediate impact as deputy striker. Bryan Zaragoza arrived on loan from Bayern Munich in January and impressed on his second appearance, starting against Napoli and providing an assist for Malen's opening goal from the seventh minute, yet proved costly when he came on in Roma's Europa League elimination against Bologna in extra time. Lorenzo Venturino, an 18-year-old winger on loan from Genoa, saw limited use due to his age. Evan Ferguson, signed on loan with a purchase option from Brighton, closed the season with 40 combined appearances across both strikers; the 20-year-old's campaign ended in January after injury and limited backing from Gasperini. Artem Dovbyk meanwhile struggled to meet the technical demands of the role and reappeared late in the season with only two minutes in the final two matches.

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.

Tony D'Amico is poised to become Roma's new sporting director after resolving his contract with Atalanta, with an official announcement expected within the coming days. The bureaucratic hurdle that had delayed the move has now been cleared, clearing the path for D'Amico to arrive at Trigoria. Once confirmed, D'Amico will immediately turn to contract renewals for defender Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala, both of whom are heading towards confirmation. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has already backed both stays, saying of Mancini: "He's not leaving", and of Dybala: "I'd like him to stay". Roma are also working to renew the loan of Lorenzo Venturino. Meanwhile, the club's summer schedule is taking shape: a friendly against Cannes, owned by the Friedkin family, is set for 26 July, following the previously announced fixture against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August. The squad will report for pre-season training on 13 July at Trigoria. For the 2026–27 centenary season, Roma will wear Adidas home kits in dark red featuring the historic interlocked "ASR" monogram, replacing the standard club crest. Winger Donyell Malen spoke to Men's Health about handling pressure: "I consider pressure a positive thing. If people expect a lot from you, it means they recognise your value."