Gasperini to hold press conference as Roma enters second week of pre-season

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his first press conference as Roma head coach on Saturday 18 July at 14:00 at the Fulvio Bernardini training ground. The briefing comes at the start of the club's pre-season, ahead of a friendly against the Primavera squad on Sunday afternoon, and will offer Gasperini the chance to outline his early impressions from the training camp and the club's ambitions for the new season. Roma qualified for the Champions League at the end of the 2025–26 campaign and have entrusted a fresh technical cycle to Gasperini. The press conference will be streamed live across Roma's official social media channels and via live text coverage on Romanews.eu.

Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media in a press conference at 14:00 tomorrow ahead of Roma's first friendly match against the Primavera squad on Sunday afternoon. The head coach's appearance will mark his second public speaking engagement since the start of the training camp, following an interview with Rai Radio Uno on Monday, his first day in charge. Roma's summer transfer activity has yet to gain momentum, and Gasperini has expressed hope of welcoming at least one new signing in the coming days. The pre-match media engagement offers the coach an opportunity to discuss his plans for the squad and outline expectations as the club prepares for the new season.

Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has praised the signing of Zeki Çelik, who joined the Turin club on a free transfer from AS Roma. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the club's first summer friendly against Basel, Spalletti outlined his view of the right-back's qualities and readiness to integrate into the squad. Çelik left Roma without a fee in what represents a significant loss of defensive depth for the Giallorossi. The 28-year-old's departure comes as Juventus strengthen their ranks during the summer transfer window. Spalletti expressed confidence in the player's character and experience, suggesting minimal adjustment issues ahead. Spalletti said of Çelik: "He is a player of character, reliable. With a warrior's character. I think it was a good idea for Juventus to bring him in. He will certainly have no problems settling in—he is an experienced footballer, a very good lad who everyone in football knows. He will settle easily."

Matías Soulé's future at Roma is unresolved as the winger trains at Trigoria ahead of Sunday's first friendly, with no concrete offers yet on the table. Sunderland, Fulham, and Bournemouth have all made enquiries, while Borussia Dortmund has conducted only exploratory discussions, but none have matched Roma's €40 million asking price, which clubs regard as excessive. Soulé declared on his return to the capital: "I don't know if I'll stay." His agent returned from England without a concrete proposal. Roma's financial need to sell has not persuaded any club to meet the valuation. Only Saudi Arabian teams could satisfy the Friedkin Group's demands, but Soulé has reaffirmed to his entourage that he has no desire to play in Saudi Arabia—a position he has maintained since late June. The club is actively searching for a winger, with Summerville a target, though he plays on the opposite flank. On the right wing, Dybala and Matías Soulé are Roma's current options, meaning any new arrival would further limit Soulé's playing time.

Roma are pursuing multiple attacking targets as they prepare for the new season, with Nusa and Summerville among the club's primary objectives. Garnacho is also on the radar, though lower in the club's priority list. On the pitch, two Roma players were celebrating international success: Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé marked Argentina's victory at Trigoria, where they train with the giallorossi. The club continues to balance preparation work for the upcoming campaign alongside the transfer business needed to strengthen the squad. Roma's transfer strategy reflects ambitions to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season, with the recruitment team actively evaluating available targets across Europe.

Roma are preparing a €45 million offer for Crysencio Summerville, the Dutch winger from West Ham. Sporting director D'Amico has tabled the bid after the player's agents met Roma's board in Italy in the past 48 hours. The club aims to complete the deal by the start of next week and beat rival competition. Zeki Çelik has left Roma to join Juventus despite a verbal agreement over a contract renewal with the Giallorossi. The Turkish fullback's deal with Roma expired on 30 June and has now completed medical tests at Juventus's J Medical facility in Turin. Roma are now targeting Olympique Marseille's Quinten Timber as midfield cover, with early contact already established. The 2001-born Dutchman shares a close bond with Roma's Donyell Malen through their shared youth and senior international paths. Besiktas are also in the running. Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal is moving closer to completion following a productive meeting yesterday between sporting director Tony D'Amico and the player's agent Giampiero Pocetta. Roma have already secured renewals for Çelik, Paulo Dybala, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante. Dybala's extension to 2027, confirmed three days ago, includes a €2.2 million annual base salary plus €100,000 per starting appearance (45+ minutes) up to €2 million, rising to €150,000 from the 21st appearance. Substitute appearances worth 20+ minutes earn €75,000 per match (capped at 20 games), then €100,000 thereafter. Bonus blocks of five combined goals and assists start at €100,000, reaching €1 million for 30 contributions. Team objectives including trophy wins or Champions League qualification trigger additional payments.

Riccardo Pagano is poised to leave Roma permanently, with Empoli leading the chase to sign the midfielder on a definitive transfer. The Serie B club want to beat rival suitors to the 2004-born player, who is under contract at Roma until 2027. As part of the deal, Roma would retain a sell-on percentage from any future resale. Pagano, a midfielder recently relegated to Serie C with Bari, is now set to drop to Serie B level rather than remain at Roma. The move forms part of the Giallorossi's wider outgoings, which chiefly involve younger squad members being moved on. This exit phase sits alongside Roma's transfer activity on the inbound side, where Summerville is drawing closer and the club has begun scouting replacements for Zeki Çelik. Padova and Sudtirol are also monitoring Pagano's situation, though Empoli's formal approach to secure a permanent deal gives them the advantage in negotiations.

Roma are searching for a new right-back following Zeki Çelik's departure, with sporting director D'Amico preparing a shortlist of candidates. El Ouadhi is among the targets, along with Molina and Dodô. The winger represented Morocco at the World Cup, making a single appearance in the quarter-final against France. Genk value him at approximately €15 million, though Roma have not yet submitted an official offer. El Ouadhi remains on D'Amico's radar as the club prioritises resolving attacking additions first. Roma's immediate focus is on completing the transfer of Summerville, which must be concluded before the Çelik replacement operation can advance further.

Zeki Çelik has joined Juventus, leaving AS Roma to rue a failed verbal agreement over a contract renewal. The defender's departure to the Turin club prompted comment from Luciano Spalletti, the former Roma head coach, who spoke in a press conference about the Turkish full-back's qualities. Spalletti said: "Çelik is a player of character, reliable. With a warrior's character. I think it was a good idea for Juventus to bring him in. He will certainly have no problems settling in; he is an experienced player, a very good lad that everyone in football knows. He will integrate easily." Roma had been working toward keeping Çelik at the Stadio Olimpico on revised terms, but the move collapsed and Juventus capitalised on the opportunity. Spalletti, who managed Roma until recently, also commented on Massara's work in the transfer market, stating: "I have worked with him and know his top level as a director."