Gustavo Puerta emerges as World Cup star attracting European interest including Roma

Roma remain interested in signing Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho as they pursue a major attacking addition this summer. The Giallorossi have already been rebuffed in their pursuit of Mason Greenwood but continue to track the Argentine winger, who appeals to them more than alternatives such as Nottingham Forest's Dan Ndoye or Strasbourg's Diego Moreira. Roma are waiting for Chelsea to clarify their stance on the player, with the Blues yet to make a final decision. Garnacho is expected to join Chelsea's training camp in the coming days. Under Gian Piero Gasperini's system, Garnacho's profile fits Roma's attacking blueprint, though his form has declined in recent seasons. Rather than commit to a permanent transfer, Roma are weighing an initial loan approach to reduce risk and evaluate the player before committing further. If the club sense an opening in negotiations, they intend to lodge a formal approach.

Roma are pursuing Brugge forward Tresoldi as a potential signing, with director D'Amico evaluating several profiles to strengthen the attacking department. The key development is a change in strategy: Tresoldi's arrival no longer depends on the sale of Artem Dovbyk. Roma remain keen to sign the player despite significant competition, notably from Atlético Madrid. The club could move to secure Tresoldi's services in the coming days, positioning him as a backup option to Donyell Malen in the forward line. Roma's attacking options are currently limited. Malen is the only guaranteed starter, while Dovbyk appears increasingly likely to leave this summer and Robinio Vaz could depart on loan. This shortage has prompted the club to explore offensive reinforcements, with Tresoldi emerging as the priority target. The revised approach signals Roma's flexibility in the market, allowing them to pursue the Brugge forward independently of other outgoings. The operation could take shape imminently, with the club now required to make its decisive move.

Roma have shifted their focus to Strasbourg forward Diego Moreira after missing out on Mason Greenwood, with Chelsea confirming they will not interfere in the Italian club's pursuit. Moreira, currently playing for Belgium at the World Cup, has a buyback clause in his contract held by Chelsea, though exact details remain undisclosed. Roma established his valuation stands at €40 million after speaking with Strasbourg, and Tony D'Amico will attempt to negotiate that fee downward. Any move will await Belgium's World Cup exit. The development represents a boost for Roma's attacking ambitions. During parallel discussions with Chelsea over Alejandro Garnacho, the Blues explicitly confirmed they have no interest in the Belgium international and will not stand in Roma's way regarding Moreira. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is known to favour players of Moreira's profile and has a track record of unlocking additional quality from attacking talents. At 21 years old, Moreira's profile continues rising, with World Cup exposure likely to enhance his reputation further. A move to Roma would offer the forward a sensible next step in his development ahead of pursuing a bigger transfer later in his career.

Bryan Cristante has become an indispensable figure for Roma in the 2025–26 season, finally silencing years of criticism by leading the club's midfield as they qualified for the Champions League and won a European trophy. The midfielder made 37 appearances from 38, accumulating 3,103 minutes—more than any other outfield player at the club. Deployed frequently by Gasperini in a two-man midfield pairing with Koné, Pisilli, or El Aynaoui, Cristante also operated as a central attacking midfielder behind two strikers to cover offensive shortcomings, showcasing the professionalism Gasperini considers essential for future campaigns. Cristante's goal tally was modest: two goals across all competitions, both in Serie A. He opened his account in Roma's 2–1 victory at Fiorentina on 5 October 2025, then added another in the 3–0 home win over Cremonese on 22 February 2026. Critics had long blamed his extended playing time for Roma's failure to reach the Champions League in previous seasons, but this campaign vindicated his consistent contribution. Gasperini, like Mourinho, De Rossi, Ranieri before him, and Italy manager Mancini—with whom Cristante won the 2021 European Championship—has consistently recognised his value. Cristante averaged a season rating of 6.2, slightly above par. Standout performances earned him 7-point ratings in derbies against Lazio (0–1 and 2–0), wins over Fiorentina (1–2), Sassuolo (0–1), and Roma–Como (1–0, receiving 7.5). His poorest showings came in Inter–Roma (5–2) and Genoa–Roma, both scored 4, though the Inter collapse saw the entire squad struggle.

AS Roma is close to completing contract renewals for its core squad following the club's return to the Champions League after seven years. Three players — Paulo Dybala, Zeki Çelik, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — are currently out of contract, with agreements already reached with Dybala and Çelik in recent days; both deals are now in the drafting stage. Pellegrini remains the main outstanding issue, with negotiations ongoing and a potential decisive meeting expected as soon as today. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini told Sky Sport: "The players are happy, the club will handle the announcements." The squad must be finalised before Monday, when the team gathers at Trigoria. Pellegrini is seeking a three-year contract to resist approaches from abroad, while Roma is holding out for a two-year deal. Despite the gap, both sides are expected to reach an agreement, possibly with added options as a compromise. The defensive pair Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are also due for renewal; Mancini is likely to sign a new three-year contract to ward off interest from Inter, while Cristante could accept two years. Stephan El Shaarawy was recently released from the club following Verona's final match of the season.

Stephan El Shaarawy's decade at Roma ended with a goal against Verona in the final fixture of the season, a moment already etched into club folklore. The winger started the campaign as captain under new coach Gian Piero Gasperini on 23 August 2025 in the opener against Bologna, rewarded for having the most appearances of any Roma player. The captaincy lasted only three matches before Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini superseded him, while a long Achilles tendon inflammation kept him sidelined for 9 matches. He made just 9 starts all season. El Shaarawy appeared 27 times overall in a campaign that marked his lowest appearance count since arriving at Roma (excluding two spells that began in January). He provided 3 assists and scored only once in league play before that final moment at the Bentegodi—a Europa League goal against Midtjylland in November proved his only other strike. The 34-year-old had squandered a clear late chance against Lazio at the Olimpico in his penultimate appearance. His journey from a once-heralded young talent whose image appeared on trading cards and video games to a squad player willing to sacrifice wages during his Shanghai Shenhua spell to return to Roma was defined by selflessness, including a standout European performance as a defender against AC Milan two years earlier. The goal at Verona provided the perfect send-off for a married man departing after a beautiful era.

France advanced to the World Cup final with a commanding 2–0 victory over Morocco in Boston, with Manu Koné delivering a standout midfield performance. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 60th minute with a curling finish after initially missing a penalty in the first half, before Ousmane Dembélé doubled the lead in the 66th with a shot from the edge of the box. Koné, Roma's midfielder, controlled the tempo throughout, recovering possession and breaking up dangerous counterattacks. He played until the 71st minute before being replaced by Zaire-Emery after an impressive display. Neil El Aynaoui and Salah-Eddine, both Roma players, featured for Morocco but could not prevent elimination despite spirited defending. El Aynaoui appeared restricted in the opening stages, while Salah-Eddine, who rejoins Roma on 1 July, was withdrawn at the 74th minute. France dominated possession and created numerous chances, with goalkeeper Bounou making several crucial saves, including a penalty stop from Mbappé at the 25th minute and a block on Doué's effort at the 35th. Morocco offered late resistance through Ounahi and a header from El Aynaoui that cleared the crossbar, but France's superior finishing proved decisive. France will face the winner of Spain versus Belgium, which takes place this evening at 21:00, in the final.

Roma midfielders Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui have both been named in the starting lineups for France versus Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final, kicking off at 22:00. The two Giallorossi players will face each other as their nations clash in a match that determines who advances to face either Spain or Belgium, scheduled to play tomorrow at 21:00. Koné and El Aynaoui represent a rare instance of Roma players appearing on opposite sides in a knockout fixture at the tournament. Both earned starting berths from their respective managers, underlining their importance to their national teams at this stage of the competition. A third Roma player, Salah-Eddine, is also involved in the World Cup, though as a squad member rather than starting. The quarter-final takes place in America, with coverage available on M6 and beIN SPORTS 1.

Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui will face each other for the first time in their careers when Morocco play France in a World Cup quarter-final today. Both Roma players are named in the starting line-up, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. The fixture represents a high-tension encounter between two Giallorossi in contrasting phases of their development. El Aynaoui has been one of Morocco's standout performers in the tournament so far and will look to continue that form, while Koné has recently reclaimed his place in the starting XI and aims to maintain his impressive performances. The match carries particular significance for Roma, with the club's present and future meeting on the world stage as both players compete for a spot in the semi-finals. The world will be watching closely, and so too will Roma.