Mancini and Cristante agree new terms; Çelik to sign on return; Pellegrini awaits Friedkin

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract extension remains the most delicate issue on Roma's transfer agenda, with negotiations still deadlocked over salary and duration. The midfielder is currently out of contract, and his absence from the squad during the early days of pre-season training has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Roma maintains constant contact with Pellegrini's representatives as they attempt to bridge the gap between the club's offer and the player's demands on both wages and contract length. Paulo Dybala's renewal was recently confirmed as the first major contract confirmation, while Zeki Çelik's extension is in its final formal stages. Despite clear mutual desire to reach an agreement, both sides still need to make concessions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini considers Pellegrini a key part of his project and has asked owner Ryan Friedkin to accelerate negotiations to resolve the situation as soon as possible, restoring one of the squad's leaders to full status at the outset of the new season.

Diego Moreira has agreed to join Roma, but negotiations between the club and Strasbourg continue over final terms. Roma's sporting director D'Amico has tabled an offer of €30 million plus bonuses and a 10 per cent sell-on clause. Strasbourg are lowering their initial demands but seeking to increase their cut of any future sale to 20 per cent. The 2004-born midfielder has already given his blessing to the transfer, with personal terms agreed at €2 million per year. Ryan Friedkin's arrival in Rome yesterday morning has accelerated the club's transfer activity under head coach Gasperini. Further discussions between Roma and the French club are expected in the coming days to complete the deal. Chelsea, which shares the same ownership structure with Strasbourg, is also involved in parallel negotiations with Roma over Garnacho.

Chelsea have rekindled their pursuit of Roma midfielder Manu Koné as newly appointed head coach Xabi Alonso seeks reinforcement in midfield. The west London club view the French midfielder as an ideal target, particularly as they attempt to protect Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández from Real Madrid's advances. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is simultaneously negotiating with Chelsea over attacking reinforcements, with moves for Alejandro Garnacho and Diego Moreira (currently at Strasbourg, which shares Chelsea's ownership structure) under discussion. Koné has been identified as a potential sale candidate at Roma to generate funds for incoming manager Gian Piero Gasperini's transfer activity. The club had been facing UEFA Settlement Agreement pressures, though these have been temporarily deferred and no longer constitute an immediate summer priority. Nonetheless, a Koné departure would provide vital revenue to finance the summer window. Roma's hierarchy, buoyed by the midfielder's strong World Cup performance, have significantly raised their asking price. The club now values him well above €50 million, suggesting Chelsea will face a substantial fee if they wish to pursue the deal.

The Friedkin Group has signalled an ambitious strategy to reshape Roma around head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Champions League football, according to sources in the United States. June was spent in reflection and sensitive dialogue with UEFA to avoid rushed sales under Settlement Agreement pressure. Now, in mid-July with summer preparation underway, the American ownership is accelerating its plans beyond the original three-year timeline, aiming to establish Roma as title contenders by the club's centenary year. Gasperini's success in returning Roma to Europe's top competition after a seven-year absence has earned him full backing for his technical vision. The club has appointed sporting director Tony D'Amico to align with that strategy and is moving to secure key players with contract renewals. Paulo Dybala has already signed a new deal; Zeki Çelik and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini are expected to follow soon, with plans to extend terms for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante afterwards. On the transfer market, the Friedkin Group is prepared to invest significantly through both internal resources and targeted sales, though only on terms the club deems appropriate and within UEFA parameters. The ownership is willing to take calculated risks to consolidate Roma's position in top European football.

Roma returned to action following a visit from around a hundred supporters at Piazzale Dino Viola, with high spirits evident among the squad. Players including Wesley, Gianluca Mancini, Matías Soulé and Jan Ziółkowski shared their excitement across social media, reflecting the positive mood surrounding the club's preparations. The gathering demonstrated strong engagement between the Roma fanbase and the playing staff during the training camp at Trigoria. The visible enthusiasm from the giallorossi players underscored the club's momentum as preparation continues.

Roma's 2026–27 season got underway at the Trigoria training ground as players arrived for pre-season, drawing around 100 supporters to Piazzale Dino Viola on a hot summer day with temperatures reaching 34 degrees in the afternoon. The first arrivals included Ghilardi, Angeliño, and Soulé, with supporters greeting the squad enthusiastically throughout the morning. Coach Gasperini arrived without signing autographs or posing for photos but opened his car window to acknowledge the fans. Pisilli drew particular acclaim from the gathering, while Wesley, described as one of the squad's brightest stars, spent time engaging with the crowd despite the heavy gathering around his vehicle. Other squad members including Gollini, Mancini, Dovbyk, Svilar, Hermoso, Vaz, Rensch, Ziółkowski, and Cristante all passed through during the session. Some players, including Dybala, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano, arrived discreetly. One supporter praised Dybala's commitment, saying: "He gave proof of a great gesture of love towards the city and fans, accepting the salary reduction." The atmosphere captured the renewed optimism surrounding the club as preparation for the new campaign began.

The Friedkin Group has signalled an ambitious strategy to reshape Roma around head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Champions League football, according to sources in the United States. June was spent in reflection and sensitive dialogue with UEFA to avoid rushed sales under Settlement Agreement pressure. Now, in mid-July with summer preparation underway, the American ownership is accelerating its plans beyond the original three-year timeline, aiming to establish Roma as title contenders by the club's centenary year. Gasperini's success in returning Roma to Europe's top competition after a seven-year absence has earned him full backing for his technical vision. The club has appointed sporting director Tony D'Amico to align with that strategy and is moving to secure key players with contract renewals. Paulo Dybala has already signed a new deal; Zeki Çelik and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini are expected to follow soon, with plans to extend terms for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante afterwards. On the transfer market, the Friedkin Group is prepared to invest significantly through both internal resources and targeted sales, though only on terms the club deems appropriate and within UEFA parameters. The ownership is willing to take calculated risks to consolidate Roma's position in top European football.

Rome radio commentators have weighed in on Roma's transfer priorities, with Carina expressing a preference for winger Moreira over Garnacho and backing a significant investment in the player. Speaking on Radio Radio Mattino, Carina said: "Between Garnacho and Moreira, the latter convinces me more. Garnacho had a strong start at Manchester United but has struggled in the last two years. Moreira gives me the impression of being another Wesley, someone who can play equally on the right or left. He's a player I would invest 30 to 35 million euros in. Yesterday I heard a Gasperini who seems ready to make his voice heard." Former Roma striker Pruzzo also addressed the midfield on Radio Radio Mattino, signalling the need for reinforcement. He stated: "In the market there is the possibility of finding a player with Koné's characteristics. At midfield Roma must do something, because Cristante's tempo is what it is." The comments suggest internal concern over the current squad's rhythm and creativity in the centre of the park. Orsi, also speaking on Radio Radio Mattino, countered the Garnacho option by backing squad continuity. He preferred retaining Soulé, saying: "It's a player you can cultivate and, aside from physical problems, I think he can improve a lot. It makes no sense to invest in a young player you offload the following year."

Roma's 2026–27 season got underway at the Trigoria training ground as players arrived for pre-season, drawing around 100 supporters to Piazzale Dino Viola on a hot summer day with temperatures reaching 34 degrees in the afternoon. The first arrivals included Ghilardi, Angeliño, and Soulé, with supporters greeting the squad enthusiastically throughout the morning. Coach Gasperini arrived without signing autographs or posing for photos but opened his car window to acknowledge the fans. Pisilli drew particular acclaim from the gathering, while Wesley, described as one of the squad's brightest stars, spent time engaging with the crowd despite the heavy gathering around his vehicle. Other squad members including Gollini, Mancini, Dovbyk, Svilar, Hermoso, Vaz, Rensch, Ziółkowski, and Cristante all passed through during the session. Some players, including Dybala, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano, arrived discreetly. One supporter praised Dybala's commitment, saying: "He gave proof of a great gesture of love towards the city and fans, accepting the salary reduction." The atmosphere captured the renewed optimism surrounding the club as preparation for the new campaign began.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract extension remains the most delicate issue on Roma's transfer agenda, with negotiations still deadlocked over salary and duration. The midfielder is currently out of contract, and his absence from the squad during the early days of pre-season training has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Roma maintains constant contact with Pellegrini's representatives as they attempt to bridge the gap between the club's offer and the player's demands on both wages and contract length. Paulo Dybala's renewal was recently confirmed as the first major contract confirmation, while Zeki Çelik's extension is in its final formal stages. Despite clear mutual desire to reach an agreement, both sides still need to make concessions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini considers Pellegrini a key part of his project and has asked owner Ryan Friedkin to accelerate negotiations to resolve the situation as soon as possible, restoring one of the squad's leaders to full status at the outset of the new season.

Roma are pursuing a contract extension for goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini as part of a broader squad retention effort following the recent renewal of Paulo Dybala and ongoing negotiations with Zeki Çelik and Lorenzo Pellegrini. The club intends to prolong Gollini's deal by a further year, extending it from its current expiry date of June 2027 to June 2028, according to Il Tempo. Gollini, who responded to Gasperini's call-up for the national team gathering, is set to continue as backup to Mile Svilar for the next two seasons. Despite limited playing time last season, appearing only in Roma's Europa League group-stage match against Panathinaikos, Gollini remains valued as a reliable and important resource for the squad. The goalkeeper's retention forms part of Roma's preparations for a demanding campaign ahead, with the club committed to competing in both Serie A and the Champions League. The consolidation of Gollini's status reflects Roma's strategy to maintain squad depth and experience in a season expected to be lengthy and challenging.

The Friedkin Group has signalled an ambitious strategy to reshape Roma around head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Champions League football, according to sources in the United States. June was spent in reflection and sensitive dialogue with UEFA to avoid rushed sales under Settlement Agreement pressure. Now, in mid-July with summer preparation underway, the American ownership is accelerating its plans beyond the original three-year timeline, aiming to establish Roma as title contenders by the club's centenary year. Gasperini's success in returning Roma to Europe's top competition after a seven-year absence has earned him full backing for his technical vision. The club has appointed sporting director Tony D'Amico to align with that strategy and is moving to secure key players with contract renewals. Paulo Dybala has already signed a new deal; Zeki Çelik and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini are expected to follow soon, with plans to extend terms for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante afterwards. On the transfer market, the Friedkin Group is prepared to invest significantly through both internal resources and targeted sales, though only on terms the club deems appropriate and within UEFA parameters. The ownership is willing to take calculated risks to consolidate Roma's position in top European football.