Malen Headed to World Cup After Transforming Roma's Season

Zeki Çelik has joined Juventus, forcing Roma to act quickly in the transfer market. Sporting director D'Amico is already compiling a shortlist of potential replacements for the right-back, with Molina of Atlético Madrid and Dodò of Fiorentina both under consideration. Molina, the Argentine full-back who previously attracted interest from coach Gasperini, remains valued at around 20 million euros. D'Amico is simultaneously pursuing moves for Moreira and Summerville, but Çelik's sudden departure to Juventus has created an urgent need to strengthen the right flank. Molina has indicated he does not wish to discuss his future until after the World Cup concludes. Dodò, currently at Fiorentina, is also an option as the Tuscan club look to move him on.

Fresh details have emerged about Zeki Çelik's move to Juventus, revealing Roma was blindsided by the transfer. The Turkish right-back was scheduled to sign his contract renewal with Roma on Friday and attend the club's weekend training camp. Roma had already purchased his return flight to Fiumicino and prepared the documentation, but Çelik never countersigned his portion of the contract. Instead, he travelled to Turin for a medical examination and joined Juventus. According to Fabrizio Romano, Roma had already signed their section of the renewal agreement while remaining unaware of Çelik's intentions to leave. Sporting director Massara seized the opportunity to move quickly once the situation became clear. The manoeuvre left Gian Piero Gasperini without a key defender as the squad prepared for the new season.

Zeki Çelik has left AS Roma to join Juventus on a free transfer, ending four seasons at the Giallorossi. The Turkish full-back underwent medical tests at Juventus's J Medical facility in Turin and signed a contract binding him to the Bianconeri until 30 June 2029. Çelik was expected to return to Roma's Trigoria training ground in the coming days to resume pre-season work, but instead opted to depart after an initial verbal agreement with Roma over a contract renewal fell through. Çelik made 115 appearances and scored 2 goals during his time in the capital. His departure represents a significant loss to Roma's squad depth at right-back, a position now requiring reinforcement. The move reunites him with Ricky Massara, who recently left his role as Roma's sporting director to become Chief Football Officer at Juventus. Juventus confirmed the signing in an official statement, detailing that Çelik's deal runs through the 2028–29 season.

Roma are preparing a €45 million offer for Crysencio Summerville, the Dutch winger from West Ham. Sporting director D'Amico has tabled the bid after the player's agents met Roma's board in Italy in the past 48 hours. The club aims to complete the deal by the start of next week and beat rival competition. Zeki Çelik has left Roma to join Juventus despite a verbal agreement over a contract renewal with the Giallorossi. The Turkish fullback's deal with Roma expired on 30 June and has now completed medical tests at Juventus's J Medical facility in Turin. Roma are now targeting Olympique Marseille's Quinten Timber as midfield cover, with early contact already established. The 2001-born Dutchman shares a close bond with Roma's Donyell Malen through their shared youth and senior international paths. Besiktas are also in the running. Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal is moving closer to completion following a productive meeting yesterday between sporting director Tony D'Amico and the player's agent Giampiero Pocetta. Roma have already secured renewals for Çelik, Paulo Dybala, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante. Dybala's extension to 2027, confirmed three days ago, includes a €2.2 million annual base salary plus €100,000 per starting appearance (45+ minutes) up to €2 million, rising to €150,000 from the 21st appearance. Substitute appearances worth 20+ minutes earn €75,000 per match (capped at 20 games), then €100,000 thereafter. Bonus blocks of five combined goals and assists start at €100,000, reaching €1 million for 30 contributions. Team objectives including trophy wins or Champions League qualification trigger additional payments.

Robinio Vaz is attracting interest from multiple Serie A clubs as Roma explore potential loan exits. Cagliari have joined Bologna in pursuing the 2007-born winger, who will be sidelined for 15 days through injury. Head coach Gasperini does not view Vaz as ready to serve as backup to Malen, particularly with Champions League football in the picture, making a temporary departure an attractive option for the player to gain experience and minutes. Director D'Amico is juggling inbound priorities—specifically pursuing Summerville and Moreira—while managing outgoings from Trigoria. Vaz, a former Olympique Marseille player, is seeking greater playing time and confidence heading into the coming season. The central obstacle to any loan arrangement remains the player's salary, which both Bologna and Cagliari consider excessive for a prospect of his age and development stage.

Roma are pushing to sign at least one of two targets — Summerville or Moreira — in the coming days as the club seeks to strengthen its attacking options. D'Amico has secured the agreement of Moreira, who currently earns €900,000 annually and would see his salary rise to €2.5 million under a Roma deal. The Friedkin Group has set strict wage limits of €4 million maximum per player and a preference for signings aged 25–26 or under, except in special circumstances. Chelsea, despite maintaining good relations with Roma, are demanding €50 million for the Strasbourg winger regardless of the structure of any deal. The London club has also invoked their recent €60 million outlay on a player signed from Atalanta. A potential sale of Koné — with Manchester United in the running — could ease Roma's path to the Summerville transfer, though additional midfield investment would still be required. The club confirmed they have secured Tresoldi, who will serve as backup to Malen and has been locked down to prevent interest from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs.