Greenwood a talent without question — but limited competition to land him, say Roma observers

Paulo Dybala has accepted a salary reduction of over one-third to remain at Roma, earning two million euros for the coming season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pressed strongly for the Argentine forward's stay. Dybala's renewal option for the following year is contingent on him playing at least 45-minute appearances, with additional bonuses tied to performance metrics. Two years ago, Dybala rejected lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia that would have tripled his wages; today he accepts substantially less to stay at the club. The decision underscores the commitment Dybala has shown to Roma since his arrival. Gasperini championed his retention through both the previous summer and this transfer window, with the club backing the manager's judgment. Dybala would earn roughly one-tenth of what he might command elsewhere, a sacrifice that reflects his emotional connection to the Giallorossi. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the club captain, has similarly agreed to a wage cut to remain at Roma. Pellegrini, who turned 30, is negotiating contract length with his representatives: the club seeks two years while his entourage requests three, though any new deal will be at a reduced salary.

Paulo Dybala arrived back at Rome's Fiumicino airport in the late afternoon, his expression and demeanor radiating contentment as he returned to what has become his second home. Despite the visible happiness, Dybala offered measured words on his contract situation: "On the renewal, we still cannot confirm." He added that the club will need to take the first step in officially extending his stay, and pledged to greet supporters when they meet: "When I see them, I will say hello to them!" He did not comment on discussions with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who pushed strongly for his continued presence in the capital. Dybala will report for pre-season training at the Fulvio Bernardini tomorrow. Matías Soulé also returned from Argentina on the same flight as Dybala, though his outlook contrasts sharply with his teammate's. When asked about his future at Roma, Soulé replied: "If I stay at Roma? I don't know, I've just got back." The winger had been close to a move to Saudi Arabia in late June when the club needed to sell to meet settlement agreement obligations, but that deal fell through. Unlike Dybala's evident emotional connection, Soulé appeared more detached about his situation, leaving his immediate future uncertain.

Roma's training ground at Trigoria reopens officially tomorrow as the club begins pre-season under Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad will not arrive at full strength, with captain Lorenzo Pellegrini among notable absentees. Pellegrini is sidelined by a recurrence of an injury suffered in May that requires continued caution, though contract renewal talks are progressing in parallel. The midfielder and the club have already agreed on a two-year deal with an option for a third season, leaving only a minor financial gap of approximately €500,000 to bridge. The negotiations are expected to conclude soon with what is being termed a 'white smoke' moment of agreement. Defender Zeki Çelik is also absent, extending his post-tournament rest following international commitments, though he is close to signing a contract extension. Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala's recent contract renewal has been confirmed, and he will participate fully in pre-season as Roma look to build momentum for the campaign ahead.

Paulo Dybala has accepted a salary reduction of over one-third to remain at Roma, earning two million euros for the coming season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pressed strongly for the Argentine forward's stay. Dybala's renewal option for the following year is contingent on him playing at least 45-minute appearances, with additional bonuses tied to performance metrics. Two years ago, Dybala rejected lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia that would have tripled his wages; today he accepts substantially less to stay at the club. The decision underscores the commitment Dybala has shown to Roma since his arrival. Gasperini championed his retention through both the previous summer and this transfer window, with the club backing the manager's judgment. Dybala would earn roughly one-tenth of what he might command elsewhere, a sacrifice that reflects his emotional connection to the Giallorossi. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the club captain, has similarly agreed to a wage cut to remain at Roma. Pellegrini, who turned 30, is negotiating contract length with his representatives: the club seeks two years while his entourage requests three, though any new deal will be at a reduced salary.

Paulo Dybala arrived back at Rome's Fiumicino airport in the late afternoon, his expression and demeanor radiating contentment as he returned to what has become his second home. Despite the visible happiness, Dybala offered measured words on his contract situation: "On the renewal, we still cannot confirm." He added that the club will need to take the first step in officially extending his stay, and pledged to greet supporters when they meet: "When I see them, I will say hello to them!" He did not comment on discussions with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who pushed strongly for his continued presence in the capital. Dybala will report for pre-season training at the Fulvio Bernardini tomorrow. Matías Soulé also returned from Argentina on the same flight as Dybala, though his outlook contrasts sharply with his teammate's. When asked about his future at Roma, Soulé replied: "If I stay at Roma? I don't know, I've just got back." The winger had been close to a move to Saudi Arabia in late June when the club needed to sell to meet settlement agreement obligations, but that deal fell through. Unlike Dybala's evident emotional connection, Soulé appeared more detached about his situation, leaving his immediate future uncertain.

Roma's training ground at Trigoria reopens officially tomorrow as the club begins pre-season under Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad will not arrive at full strength, with captain Lorenzo Pellegrini among notable absentees. Pellegrini is sidelined by a recurrence of an injury suffered in May that requires continued caution, though contract renewal talks are progressing in parallel. The midfielder and the club have already agreed on a two-year deal with an option for a third season, leaving only a minor financial gap of approximately €500,000 to bridge. The negotiations are expected to conclude soon with what is being termed a 'white smoke' moment of agreement. Defender Zeki Çelik is also absent, extending his post-tournament rest following international commitments, though he is close to signing a contract extension. Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala's recent contract renewal has been confirmed, and he will participate fully in pre-season as Roma look to build momentum for the campaign ahead.

Paulo Dybala has accepted a salary reduction of over one-third to remain at Roma, earning two million euros for the coming season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pressed strongly for the Argentine forward's stay. Dybala's renewal option for the following year is contingent on him playing at least 45-minute appearances, with additional bonuses tied to performance metrics. Two years ago, Dybala rejected lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia that would have tripled his wages; today he accepts substantially less to stay at the club. The decision underscores the commitment Dybala has shown to Roma since his arrival. Gasperini championed his retention through both the previous summer and this transfer window, with the club backing the manager's judgment. Dybala would earn roughly one-tenth of what he might command elsewhere, a sacrifice that reflects his emotional connection to the Giallorossi. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the club captain, has similarly agreed to a wage cut to remain at Roma. Pellegrini, who turned 30, is negotiating contract length with his representatives: the club seeks two years while his entourage requests three, though any new deal will be at a reduced salary.

Roma's training ground at Trigoria reopens officially tomorrow as the club begins pre-season under Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad will not arrive at full strength, with captain Lorenzo Pellegrini among notable absentees. Pellegrini is sidelined by a recurrence of an injury suffered in May that requires continued caution, though contract renewal talks are progressing in parallel. The midfielder and the club have already agreed on a two-year deal with an option for a third season, leaving only a minor financial gap of approximately €500,000 to bridge. The negotiations are expected to conclude soon with what is being termed a 'white smoke' moment of agreement. Defender Zeki Çelik is also absent, extending his post-tournament rest following international commitments, though he is close to signing a contract extension. Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala's recent contract renewal has been confirmed, and he will participate fully in pre-season as Roma look to build momentum for the campaign ahead.

Roma have shown sustained interest in Diego Moreira for over a month, with head coach Gasperini viewing the Strasbourg winger as a valuable option to pair with Wesley on the flanks. Moreira's versatility—capable of playing in four different roles including attacking positions—appeals to the club, but Strasbourg's elevated asking price for the 2004-born player presents a significant obstacle to any transfer. The club's primary focus remains strengthening the attack, and if Strasbourg do not lower their valuation, sporting director D'Amico will redirect attention to more affordable targets. Alejandro Garnacho has emerged as an alternative, though Chelsea's €50 million asking price is considered excessive by Roma, who have already explored the possibility of a loan with an option to buy or a conditional obligation. Roma are also working to sign Tresoldi from Bruges for €25 million. On the contract front, renewals for Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala are complete, while Lorenzo Pellegrini's situation remains unresolved. Pellegrini has not yet recovered fully from injury recurrence and was unable to train with the squad during the first session of the new season.

Bryan Cristante reflected on his eight-year tenure at AS Roma in an extensive interview with Sportweek for La Gazzetta dello Sport, speaking candidly about his deep connection to the club and city. The midfielder has made 364 appearances for Roma and highlighted three standout moments: the Conference League final victory over Feyenoord, the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla on penalties, and this season's final match at Verona that secured Champions League qualification. "Roma is a city of which you fall in love immediately, from the first day," Cristante said. "Where you turn, you're struck by its beauty. The stadium gives you something extra: the charge of the Romanisti fans, the anthem to the notes of Venditti's song gives you goosebumps." Cristante acknowledged the unique pressures of playing in the capital, noting that the club's passionate fanbase creates an intensity that can swing rapidly between exultation and despair. He emphasized the importance of maintaining equilibrium and resetting quickly after matches, describing himself as a worker committed to fulfilling the coach's demands. On José Mourinho, Cristante credited him with instilling concrete mentality and a winning hunger across two successful campaigns. Regarding Gian Piero Gasperini, with whom he previously worked at Atalanta, Cristante stated: "Coach Gasperini is strong, there's little doubt about it. I knew from experience that you simply have to follow him, because he's someone who has done well everywhere, and he's proven it even in the first year in a demanding place like this."

Bryan Cristante, 31, has made 364 appearances for Roma over eight years and reflected on the emotional intensity of playing for the Giallorossi in an interview with Sportweek. Born in Friuli and raised in Milan, Cristante has fully embraced Roman culture and the demands of the capital. He highlighted three standout moments in his Roma career: the two Coppa finals—the Conference League victory against Feyenoord and the Europa League defeat to Sevilla on penalties—plus the final day of this season at Verona when the club secured Champions League football, a competition the entire organisation had missed for too long. Cristante emphasised the unique pressure of playing in Rome, where success and failure exist in sharp contrast. "At Roma you pass too quickly from exaltation to depression, one day you're a champion and the next you're hopeless," he noted. He credited the squad's resilience this season in resetting after each match and moving focus to the next fixture, preventing a single poor result from derailing the campaign. As captain alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini and Gianluca Mancini, Cristante takes pride in transmitting a sense of belonging to younger players at a club so deeply connected to its supporters. On his coaches, Cristante praised José Mourinho for bringing concrete winning mentality and charisma, under whom Roma won a cup and lost another on penalties. Gian Piero Gasperini, under whom Cristante previously played at Atalanta, he described as exceptionally strong. When asked what makes him indispensable to every manager, Cristante replied: "I'm a worker. I like going out on the pitch, working every day, and always being on top of things, doing what the coach asks of me. Since I was a boy I've always given everything."

Roma are preparing to announce three contract renewals in quick succession. Gianluca Mancini will extend his deal until 2029 on 3.5 million euros net per year. Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala are at the document exchange stage: the Turkish defender will earn 3 million euros net annually through 2029, while Dybala will sign a one-season contract with an option until 2028 worth 2.5 million euros plus bonuses. Director D'Amico has accelerated the renewal process across multiple fronts. Lorenzo Pellegrini, formally out of contract since the start of the month, faces a different timeline—there remains economic and contractual distance between the club and the captain, and he will not begin pre-season immediately as he recovers from a late-season setback. Bryan Cristante's new contract remains on hold. According to Simone Valdarchi in the Corriere della Sera, the Mancini, Çelik, and Dybala announcements are expected soon. Pellegrini's situation is more complex; talks are ongoing and a resolution will be found, but the number 7's delayed return to training reflects both the ongoing negotiations and his need for recovery time.