Gasperini targets fullbacks as Roma plot summer overhaul

Crysencio Summerville remains Roma's primary target in the current transfer window, though an agreement between the club and the West Ham forward is yet to be finalised. The Dutch attacker has shown openness to joining Roma and has reduced his salary demands, but according to Sky Sport, the Giallorossi are still awaiting a definitive response from Summerville. Alfredo Pedullà reported that talks remained inconclusive, with no accord reached on either wages or transfer fee despite sustained interest from the capital club. Summerville has emerged as the headline name on Roma's recruitment agenda in recent days. The forward's willingness to lower his financial expectations has encouraged optimism, yet the negotiations remain in a delicate phase. Garnacho is being held on standby as an alternative option should the Summerville move falter. No figures or timescale for a potential deal were disclosed. Roma's pursuit underscores the club's determination to strengthen their attacking options as the window progresses.

Roma have made no approach for Fiorentina right-back Dodò and have had no contact with the Tuscan club, according to transfer specialist Alfredo Pedullà. The Brazilian, whose contract runs until 2027, had been linked with the Giallorossi during the summer transfer window, but those rumours have now been dismissed by Pedullà. Roma have been searching for wing reinforcements following the departure of Zeki Çelik to Juventus after his contract expired. Dodò emerged as a possible target among several profiles under consideration. The 1998-born full-back had also attracted interest from Napoli and was expected to leave Fiorentina in the coming weeks, but Roma's interest appears not to have progressed beyond speculation. The situation remains one to monitor as Dodò continues discussions with other potential suitors, though Roma have evidently decided not to pursue a formal bid for the defender.

Samuele Belmonte, a 2007-born striker, is set to depart AS Roma on a permanent transfer to Ancona. The 19-year-old, who made one appearance for Roma's Primavera side this season, will sign a three-year contract with the Serie B club. The transfer has been agreed in all major details, with both clubs expected to issue official confirmation shortly. Belmonte becomes another young player to exit Roma during the current window. The move represents a step up in competitive level for the teenager, who will look to gain senior experience in the Italian second tier following limited opportunities in the club's youth setup.

Roma's squad reported to Trigoria by 12 noon on Monday to begin their first week of training under Gian Piero Gasperini, who enters his second season in charge following the club's return to the Champions League. The first session, preceded by routine medical checks, was scheduled for the afternoon after lunch. The squad welcomed back no new faces, with departures including El Shaarawy, Ferguson, Zaragoza and Tsimikas, and the club opted not to publish the squad list publicly. The decision to withhold squad details reflects uncertainty over Paulo Dybala's contract situation. Roma's hierarchy worked to complete all formalities of Dybala's contract renewal by Monday morning, with the financial terms already agreed for several days. Çelik will be the first player to return following his involvement in international competition, though his own renewal announcement has not yet been confirmed. The full or near-full squad is expected only when the team convenes for a training camp in Wales. Gasperini is awaiting reinforcements from the club's sporting director D'Amico, who has drawn up a target list prioritising Moreira, while Garnacho and Tresoldi remain under consideration for the attack and centre-back positions respectively.

Roma began their pre-season on Tuesday, exactly fifty days after their victory in Verona, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini arriving at Trigoria. Only fourteen outfield players reported initially, with several absentees due to extended World Cup breaks or departures. Stephan El Shaarawy, Kostas Tsimikas, Evan Ferguson, Bryan Zaragoza, Zeki Çelik, Evan N'Dicka, Donyell Malen, Salah-Eddine, and Neil El Aynaoui were unavailable, while Manu Koné remained absent. Players were required to arrive at the training ground by noon for medical checks before their first session in the afternoon. Paulo Dybala is set to sign a one-year contract extension to begin his fifth season at Roma, with the announcement expected on Tuesday. Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract situation remains unresolved, with further discussions scheduled in the coming days. Wesley has recovered fully from an adductor muscle injury sustained before the World Cup. Daniele De Rossi's successor Gasperini arrived Monday morning and will oversee an intensive two-week training block at Trigoria before the squad relocates to Wales for the second phase of pre-season, departing 30 July and returning 18 August following a fixture against Brighton. Several players with uncertain futures, including Artem Dovbyk and Robinio Vaz, will use the coming weeks to impress Gasperini. Donyell Malen is expected to rejoin the squad around 22 July. Sporting director Tony D'Amico, representing the Friedkin Group ownership, attended to welcome the squad.

Roma have renewed their pursuit of Diego Moreira, the 2004-born Strasbourg winger who featured for Belgium at the World Cup, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's priority reinforcement on the left side. The French club values the Belgian at €40 million—a figure Roma director Tony D'Amico will attempt to reduce through negotiation. A previous approach came before the World Cup tournament, and the club has now resumed talks. Moreira's arrival would restore Wesley to his natural position on the right flank. The winger impressed on the opposite side last season, but Gasperini's vision centres on strengthening the left, a flank without a settled incumbent. Salah-Eddine is being moved on, Angeliño will be evaluated during the pre-season retreat, and Kostas Tsimikas departed a month ago. Gasperini views Moreira as the ideal fit: quick, technical, and with sharp attacking capabilities demonstrated in matches such as the encounter against Senegal. Last season the Belgian recorded 4 goals and 7 assists. The decision now rests with the Friedkin Group ownership.

Roma's 2026–27 season got underway at the Trigoria training ground as players arrived for pre-season, drawing around 100 supporters to Piazzale Dino Viola on a hot summer day with temperatures reaching 34 degrees in the afternoon. The first arrivals included Ghilardi, Angeliño, and Soulé, with supporters greeting the squad enthusiastically throughout the morning. Coach Gasperini arrived without signing autographs or posing for photos but opened his car window to acknowledge the fans. Pisilli drew particular acclaim from the gathering, while Wesley, described as one of the squad's brightest stars, spent time engaging with the crowd despite the heavy gathering around his vehicle. Other squad members including Gollini, Mancini, Dovbyk, Svilar, Hermoso, Vaz, Rensch, Ziółkowski, and Cristante all passed through during the session. Some players, including Dybala, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano, arrived discreetly. One supporter praised Dybala's commitment, saying: "He gave proof of a great gesture of love towards the city and fans, accepting the salary reduction." The atmosphere captured the renewed optimism surrounding the club as preparation for the new campaign began.

Roma started serious preparation for the 2026–27 season on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming a 17-man squad for initial training at Trigoria. Paulo Dybala featured in the group and marked his contract renewal with a short interview on Roma's official channels. Wesley returned to training immediately following the injury that forced him to miss the World Cup, training alongside teammates in the new kit that showcases the restored classic crest. Gasperini was accompanied by sporting director Tony D'Amico. The initial squad includes four goalkeepers—Svilar, Gollini, De Marzi, and Vasquez—and seven defenders: Angeliño, Ghilardi, Hermoso, Mancini, Rensch, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Çelik will join on 18 August after completing his holiday following his contract renewal, while N'Dicka is due to arrive on 22 August. Only Pisilli and Cristante are currently available in midfield, with El Aynaoui expected on 30 August and Koné's arrival date to be confirmed pending the end of the World Cup. The attacking line features Dybala, Dovbyk, Soulé, and Vaz, with Dybala the only forward certain to remain at the club long-term. The squad is staying overnight at Fulvio Bernardini training centre and will undergo a double session today—training at 08:00 and 18:00. Roma have also opened ticket sales for their first official pre-season match at Cannes on 26 July at Pierre de Coubertin stadium, with visiting supporters' tickets priced at €15 each through AS Cannes' official website.

Roma's 2026–27 season began this morning at Trigoria with players returning to the training ground. Paulo Dybala has been included in head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's squad for the pre-season gathering, following the announcement of his contract renewal. Gasperini, now in his second year as Roma coach, named 18 players in his initial squad list: Angeliño, Cristante, De Marzi, Dovbyk, Dybala, Ghilardi, Gollini, Hermoso, Mancini, Pisilli, Rensch, Soulé, Svilar, Vasquez, Vaz, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Additional players awaiting moves—Cherubini, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano—will join the group, with returning World Cup participants to follow. The first training session took place today at 18:00, with a double session scheduled for tomorrow comprising sessions at 08:00 and 18:00. The squad will remain at Trigoria for accommodation over both days.

Juventus secured Zeki Çelik on a free transfer on Thursday night, swooping in at the last moment to derail Roma's plan to re-sign the Turkish defender after his contract expired. Roma had already reached a complete agreement with Çelik at €3/3.2M per year before he reversed course and opted for a marginally better offer from Juventus instead. Çelik's camp had initially demanded €4M annually. Çelik departs after four seasons at the Eternal City, during which he made 151 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 10 assists. He was particularly influential over the past two years. The departure forces Roma to reshape their plans on the wing, with coach Gian Piero Gasperini having prioritized continuity. The club was already plotting a major attacking signing for that flank and had considered moving Wesley to the right-back position. The unexpected exit compounds those changes. Juventus recently appointed Frederic Massara, Roma's former director, which added an extra dimension to the maneuver. While the Bianconeri benefit from securing a reliable veteran defender on a free deal—particularly valuable given their financial constraints and manager Luciano Spalletti's preference for experienced players—Roma will look to minimize disruption with an offensive upgrade at the position.

Rome's radio stations have analysed Roma's transfer window, with particular focus on midfielder Manu Koné's potential departure. A €53 million fee for Koné was discussed across multiple programmes, with opinions divided on whether the club should sell. Nando Orsi stated: "For 53 million, Koné lo porto a cavacecio: it's a good price", while Alessandro Vocalelli called Koné "the most irreplaceable player at Roma" and said he would not let him leave if possible. Luigi Ferrajolo deemed the €53 million figure "roughly in line with his value" but questioned whether Roma should lose Koné, Svilar, or Wesley instead. Transfer activity elsewhere dominated discussion. Francesco Balzani predicted Moreira would be Roma's first completed signing, with the club having "given the player the right value" and planning a future resale. Summerville remains a target but negotiations have stalled—the player continues to demand over €5 million per season in wages. Piero Torri suggested Moreira and Summerville are not alternatives but complementary signings, with Moreira capable of playing multiple positions. Lorenzo Pes noted that Gasperini wants two attacking wingers and that Moreira's modest wage demand aids negotiations, though Summerville's situation requires further work. Contract extensions were also covered: Bryan Cristante extended his deal by one year, while Gianluca Mancini added two years, though Mancini received a minor salary increase. Pes suggested Gasperini may be avoiding overly long contracts to maintain tactical flexibility.

Roma expect to receive a €53 million offer from Manchester United for midfielder Manu Koné, according to Rio Ferdinand. The club is not denying the likely departure of the French midfielder, who will first play the third-place playoff for England before considering his options with his representatives. Though a move to Paris Saint-Germain remains his preference, a Premier League offer would be difficult to refuse. For Roma, selling Koné is necessary to generate a substantial profit of around €40 million and resolve their UEFA dispute. With difficulties surrounding moves for Matías Soulé and Wesley, and a wall around Radosław Żelezny, Koné represents the only realistic path to that figure. Roma's coaching staff is already compiling replacement options. Celtic's Engels, 22, stands out as a primary target. At 1.85 metres tall with excellent technical ability, he offers significant dynamism, game vision, and strong insertion runs. His cost is estimated at €20–25 million. Danilo Santos of Botafogo is valued at €30–35 million and shares more tactical similarities with Koné—standing 177 cm and weighing 70 kg, he compensates for a lean frame with ball-recovery abilities, smart distribution, and clean passing. Other names under consideration include Camara of Monaco, priced at €40 million after a strong Ligue 1 campaign, and Varela of Porto. Both represent higher investment priorities for other areas of the pitch at present.