Mancini: Roma is my life, I hope Pellegrini joins us soon

Roma are pursuing Brazilian forward Endrick as Gian Piero Gasperini seeks to strengthen his squad further this summer. The club has been tracking the Real Madrid player for more than a month, with technical director D'Amico hoping to replicate the structure of the Nico Paz deal. The breakthrough came when Endrick, a 2006-born prospect, communicated to Real Madrid his desire to leave, according to transfer analyst Yagiz Sabuncuoglu. The player wants to feel like a protagonist and is seeking greater playing time after feeling he is not a priority at the Bernabéu. Gasperini has made it clear he requires at least four reinforcements beyond the two early signings Castro and Koulierakis, who have already integrated well into the squad and scored in today's match against Newport. Endrick's willingness to depart Real Madrid removes what has been the main obstacle to Roma's pursuit. The coach could be the ideal figure to develop the young forward, who is hungry for responsibility and regular opportunities. With Real Madrid's stance shifting, Roma are now positioned to accelerate their approach for the Brazilian.

Roma's pursuit of left-back Cacciamani has stalled after Torino demanded €20 million for the 2007-born defender. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has targeted the player, but Roma consider the asking price too steep. The two clubs remain apart on valuation with no apparent breakthrough in sight. Director of football D'Amico has identified two wingers as priorities to bolster Gasperini's squad this summer. The first target, Read, appears to be off the table. Attention has shifted to Molina, for whom Roma have tabled an opening bid that was rejected, with a revised offer expected. On the left flank, Cacciamani remains the preferred option, though Torino's stance has become a barrier to progress.

Roma secured a 4–0 victory over Newport in a pre-season friendly, bouncing back after a previous defeat to Cardiff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the match to experiment with new tactical setups, including deploying Mario Hermoso in midfield—a move that proved effective, with the Spanish defender scoring one goal and providing an assist. Paulo Dybala featured prominently during the club's pre-season preparations, though he was relatively quiet in this particular fixture until sustaining a painful challenge from an opponent. The incident sparked a brief altercation on the pitch. Dybala left the field at full-time with ice on his knee as a precautionary measure following the knock, with no immediate alarm raised about the injury. However, this marks a second match in succession in which Dybala has been targeted aggressively by the opposing defence—a concern given his history with injuries. Roma face Brighton on Saturday.

Gianluca Mancini has declared his intention to spend his entire career at Roma following his contract renewal with the club. Speaking from the Welsh training camp, the defender said: "Roma for me is home. Then in football you never know, but I hope it can be like this: Roma for life." Mancini also discussed his recent performances in the Derby della Capitale, saying he did not anticipate scoring twice and only fully grasped the significance during a break: "Before it seemed to me that I had only done my duty, it was like scoring two goals against Milan, Juventus or Inter. Then I understood." Mancini underlined his emotional attachment to the club, referencing a tattoo he pledged to get in December if Roma qualified for the Champions League. "SPQR is a beautiful inscription and it sums up the bond I have with the city and with the club," he said. He also praised the role of those supporting him, noting: "I am not crazy, but you cannot command the heart. When I signed we hugged each other. And he was happy to see me happy." On the absence of Lorenzo Pellegrini from the squad, Mancini described the midfielder as a lifelong friend and an important figure in the dressing room: "But he is missed by everyone, we hope he can reach us soon. He is an important figure for the dressing room and as a player he can give us a great helping hand."

Gianluca Mancini has reaffirmed his long-term commitment to AS Roma, declaring his intention to spend his entire career at the club following the signing of a new contract through 2029. In an exclusive interview, the centre-back outlined his ambitions for the coming season, including a Champions League debut and a central role in what he described as a squad still in its construction phase. Mancini revealed he has had the SPQR inscription tattooed on his body as a permanent symbol of his bond with Rome and the club. "Roma me è entrata nel cuore e nel sangue" (Rome has entered my heart and blood), he said. "Sono felicissimo, il rinnovo l'ho voluto con tutto me stesso. Roma per me è casa" (I am very happy, I wanted the renewal with all my heart. Roma is home for me). When asked whether the contract to 2029 means Roma for life, Mancini responded: "Poi nel calcio non si sa mai, ma mi auguro che possa essere così: Roma a vita" (In football you never know, but I hope it can be that way: Roma for life). His agent Riso had reportedly suggested Mancini could have earned more elsewhere, but the defender brushed aside the criticism. "Ha detto ciò che pensava. Ma ha lavorato per i miei interessi. Io pazzo non lo sono, ma al cuor non si comanda. Quando ho firmato ci siamo abbracciati" (He said what he thought. But he worked for my interests. I am not crazy, but the heart commands. When I signed we embraced). On the absence of Lorenzo Pellegrini, Mancini said: "Tanto, è un amico di vita. Ma manca a tutti, speriamo che ci possa raggiungere presto. È una figura importante per lo spogliatoio e come calciatore ci può dare una grande mano" (A lot, he is a lifelong friend. But everyone misses him, we hope he can join us soon. He is an important figure for the dressing room and as a player he can give us a big hand).

Roma face Newport County in their second pre-season friendly in Wales on 4 August at 20:00 at the Rodney Parade. The match follows an earlier fixture against Cardiff City during the summer preparation period under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Koulierakis across the back; Devyne Rensch and Wesley as wing-backs; Neil El Aynaoui and Bryan Cristante in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield line; and Donyell Malen leading the attack. Tickets are available through Newport County's official website. The friendly will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text coverage available on ilromanista.eu.

Roma's attacking department has been decimated ahead of the 2026–27 season, with coach Gian Piero Gasperini now overseeing just five senior forwards for the role — down from ten options at the end of January. The remaining quartet consists of Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Robinio Vaz, with young prospect Arena also available. The collapse mirrors Gasperini's repeated public calls for investment in attack. Speaking exactly a year ago on 4 August 2025 at the English national team's St. George Park facility in Burton Upon Trent, Gasperini outlined his philosophy: "It concerns all clubs that spend large sums on attackers. The offensive department is the most sought after and most expensive. Teams with strong attacking players are more competitive." That same summer, Roma pursued Fabio Silva and Jadon Sancho without success, settling on a loan move for Romain Bailey as a last-minute solution. By the end of 2025, Roma had assembled eight attacking options — Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Soulé, Baldanzi, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — to fill three positions in Gasperini's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. The winter transfer window swelled that number to ten through the departures of Bailey and Baldanzi and the arrivals of Malen, Vaz, Bryan Zaragoza, and Lorenzo Venturino. However, only Malen performed consistently. With just twenty days until the league campaign begins, Roma faces a critical shortage. The club is reportedly making another approach for Nusa and preparing a move for Fofana to bolster the depleted ranks.

Roma's transfer strategy dominated Roman radio discussion on 4 August 2026, with prominent voices divided over the club's pursuit of Read and wider recruitment targets. Alessandro Vocalelli argued Roma should not rush into signings, stating: "I prefer to wait to sign an important player rather than sign a mediocre footballer straight away." He criticised Gasperini's squad retention, suggesting players like Svilar—who has reached a level where "it would have been a bargain to sell him for 60 or 70 million"—should have been sold. Luigi Ferrajolo warned that failing to land Read would represent a third failed negotiation, citing systemic problems: "The problem with Roma is that it cannot get the players it wants." Francesco Balzani claimed Roma believed it could close Read's deal on 4 August, having moved close to Feyenoord's asking price, but stressed the club must now look elsewhere. He also highlighted a paradox over Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has been out of contract for weeks with an agreement in place—yet awaiting Friedkin Group approval to finalise terms. Roberto Pruzzo advocated shifting focus away from Read: "Roma should go for Dodo instead of investing in a 20-year-old prospect. This year the Giallorossi must seek certainties and it would be better to go for a proven player. Before investing 30 million on a footballer who already knows Serie A." Ugo Trani predicted Roma would pursue Fofana if Nusa fell through, noting that the squad must be ready in 20 days, with the left-winger position still incomplete.

Gianluca Mancini has declared his intention to spend his entire career at Roma following his contract renewal with the club. Speaking from the Welsh training camp, the defender said: "Roma for me is home. Then in football you never know, but I hope it can be like this: Roma for life." Mancini also discussed his recent performances in the Derby della Capitale, saying he did not anticipate scoring twice and only fully grasped the significance during a break: "Before it seemed to me that I had only done my duty, it was like scoring two goals against Milan, Juventus or Inter. Then I understood." Mancini underlined his emotional attachment to the club, referencing a tattoo he pledged to get in December if Roma qualified for the Champions League. "SPQR is a beautiful inscription and it sums up the bond I have with the city and with the club," he said. He also praised the role of those supporting him, noting: "I am not crazy, but you cannot command the heart. When I signed we hugged each other. And he was happy to see me happy." On the absence of Lorenzo Pellegrini from the squad, Mancini described the midfielder as a lifelong friend and an important figure in the dressing room: "But he is missed by everyone, we hope he can reach us soon. He is an important figure for the dressing room and as a player he can give us a great helping hand."