Ivory Coast name squad for 2026 World Cup; N'Dicka included

AC Milan has offered Portuguese winger Rafa Leão to Roma as the Serie A club seeks to move him on after seven seasons. Leão himself has confirmed his desire for a new challenge following the end of the season. Milan, now under the management of Amorim, is willing to let him leave but only on a loan deal with an obligation to buy set at €60 million. Roma's transfer focus this summer has centred on reshaping the attacking department, with several forwards under consideration. The Leão proposal represents a new option for the Giallorossi, though the deal presents significant financial hurdles. The combined costs of the loan arrangement and the mandatory purchase clause make the overall operation extremely challenging for Roma to complete, independent of the player's own willingness to join. Details remain unclear regarding Roma's interest level or negotiations at this stage. The club continues to monitor other attacking targets as well, with the transfer window expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical requirements are reportedly pushing midfielder Matías Soulé toward a potential departure from AS Roma. The arrival of the new coach has not altered Roma's offensive recruitment strategy, though his specific demands appear to have implications for the squad's structure. Details remain unclear regarding the exact nature of Gasperini's requirements and whether Soulé's exit is imminent or being actively pursued by the club.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has taken a direct role in efforts to bring Mason Greenwood to the club, with a telephone conversation between the two forming a key part of the recruitment push. Gasperini personally contacted Greenwood as part of Roma's mission to secure the forward's signature. The move represents Roma's continued ambition in the transfer market under new coaching leadership. Details of what Gasperini told Greenwood during the call remain unclear from available information.

Roma successfully resisted attempts by rival clubs to acquire key players on June 30th. Juventus approached the club for Mile Svilar, while Inter and Porto both made offers for Niccolò Pisilli. Additionally, Matías Soulé rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, with his agent expressing frustration over how the negotiations were handled. Despite pressure from multiple directions, Roma declined all approaches and maintained their squad. UEFA has granted Roma a one-month extension on the deadline for including player sales in their financial records due to World Cup scheduling, though this grace period does not apply to new acquisitions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his desire to retain Wesley, Evan N'Dicka, and Manu Koné as cornerstones of his squad, and the club hierarchy has prioritized keeping the manager satisfied. Roma intends to argue to UEFA that they can manage financial losses through peripheral transactions if necessary. Failure to meet Financial Fair Play requirements could expose Roma to fines exceeding €10 million and squad restrictions in 2027–28, though harsher penalties are considered unlikely. The club's strategy appears focused on retaining its top-tier players while strengthening the squad around the margins in the coming weeks.

Inter have emerged as interested suitors for Roma defender N'Dicka, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly reluctant to lose the player. However, Roma's financial situation ahead of the June 30 transfer deadline has created pressure to consider departures. The club's hierarchy, including D'Amico, is actively working through the final hours before the cutoff date. Gasperini's preference to retain N'Dicka contrasts with Roma's need to generate funds, setting up a potential conflict between sporting and financial priorities at the club.

The Netherlands and Ivory Coast progressed in World Cup action, with Donyell Malen and Evan Ndicka involved in their respective national team matches. Malen featured for the Dutch, while Ndicka appeared for Ivory Coast and is reportedly moving closer to full fitness. Both players are on Roma's roster and their international performances carry implications for the club's squad availability in the coming weeks. Details of the specific match outcomes and Ndicka's injury status remain unclear from the available information.