Juventus Snatch Çelik from Roma on Free Transfer

Empoli are leading the race to sign Roma midfielder Riccardo Pagano on a permanent transfer, according to La Gazzetta Regionale. The Tuscan club, under sporting director Fabio Artico, intends to move quickly to outpace rival suitors. The proposal includes a permanent acquisition of Pagano with a significant sell-on percentage in Roma's favour, a structure that would allow the Giallorossi to maintain economic control over the player's future. Pagano, a 2004-born midfielder, spent the 2024–25 season on loan at Bari, where he experienced the club's unfortunate relegation from Serie B to Serie C. Despite that difficult spell, the young talent has attracted attention from multiple quarters. The player's contract with Roma runs until 30 June 2027. Empoli's proposal for a permanent deal with a sell-on clause represents the most concrete scenario at present, though Padova and Südtirol have both made exploratory enquiries. Pagano's tactical versatility — capable of playing both as a mezzala and trequartista — has drawn interest from other clubs, but a departure from Rome appears certain.

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.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media on Thursday at 14:00 at Roma's Fulvio Bernardini training ground, marking his first public comments since the club entered its second week of 2026–27 preparation. The press conference comes as Roma finalises several squad matters. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal has been officially confirmed, while Zeki Çelik departed to join Juventus. The announcement of Gasperini's media engagement provides clarity for supporters amid the ongoing transfer activity and squad reshaping under the new head coach. Gasperini, who took charge in 2025, has been overseeing Roma's opening training sessions at the club's training facility. The Thursday conference will be held in the centre's press room.

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.

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.

Roma have opened talks to sign Endrick from Real Madrid on loan as they look to bolster their attacking options. The 21-year-old Brazilian has fallen down the pecking order at the Bernabéu and is available to leave, having recently completed a six-month loan spell at Lyon under Fonseca where he scored 7 goals in 19 matches. Endrick would reunite with fellow Brazilian Wesley at the Giallorossi and is open to the move. Real Madrid are unwilling to sell permanently and prefer to loan the player out with a fee attached, allowing them to assess his future prospects. Roma would be interested on those terms but want to include a redemption clause with a buyback option favouring Real Madrid. The structure suits the capital club financially as they attempt to add depth to their forward line. However, the move faces a potential obstacle: José Mourinho intends to further evaluate Endrick before committing to bringing him in, keen to test whether he fits the team's tactical needs for the coming season.