Kumbulla uncertain on Roma future but backs Gasperini's methods

Paulo Dybala has recommitted to AS Roma following his automatic contract renewal, capping a resurgence that helped secure the club's return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years. The Argentine playmaker delivered decisively in the final stretch of the 2025–26 season, recording assists for Malen and El Shaarawy in matches against Verona—the goals that sealed Europa League qualification and promotion to the group stage. Over 27 appearances in that run, Dybala posted 3 goals and 8 assists. Since joining Roma in 2022, Dybala has compiled 140 matches, 45 goals and 30 assists across all positions—attacker, second striker, attacking midfielder and creative fulcrum. His debut campaign (2022–23) proved prolific with 18 goals and 8 assists before injury despite a standout display against Inter and a vital Europa League goal against Feyenoord. The following year brought 16 goals in 39 matches with 10 assists. A proposed summer transfer to Al-Qadsiah fell through when Dybala chose to remain in the Eternal City, but form and fitness suffered under successive managers, leaving him sidelined until early 2026. After knee surgery in March forced another layoff, his timely return proved crucial. The lingering scar from the 31 May 2023 final—a missed opportunity to change Roma's history—remains, but the coming seasons offer fresh chances to heal that wound.

Artem Dovbyk is preparing to leave Roma after two seasons, with Ajax now among the clubs interested in signing the 29-year-old Ukrainian forward. Roma paid €30.5 million plus €5.5 million in bonuses to acquire him in 2024 after he won La Liga's Golden Boot at Girona in 2023–24, but he has failed to adapt to Serie A. Last season he made just 14 league appearances and scored three goals, falling out of favour with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. With Donyell Malen now signed permanently and Roma pursuing high-profile targets including Diego Moreira and Alejandro Garnacho, the club must raise funds through player sales. Roma have set Dovbyk's asking price at €23 million and appear reluctant to negotiate. Ajax could provide him with regular first-team football, though whether they will meet the valuation is uncertain. Meanwhile, Daniele De Rossi is reportedly keen to bring Dovbyk to Genoa, though that move would likely require Roma to lower their demands significantly.

Roma are pursuing dual transfers for Alejandro Garnacho and Moreira, both players linked to the BlueCo ownership structure. Chelsea are demanding 50 million euros for Garnacho, while Strasbourg are asking the same fee for Moreira. The two transfers are complicated individually, but Roma believe a shared ownership angle could unlock both deals. Garnacho is a Chelsea academy product available for transfer, while Moreira is an external addition to Strasbourg, which operates as a development club within the BlueCo consortium led by Todd Boehly. Roma's strategy centres on the multi-ownership factor: since both Chelsea and Strasbourg belong to the same American-led group, the club believe they could negotiate a single package deal rather than two separate transactions. This approach could allow all parties to reach a compromise on fees and structure. The giallorossi are considering a comprehensive agreement that would make both moves more sustainable financially while giving BlueCo flexibility across its portfolio.