Mancini Waiting on Roma as Contract Renewal Stalls, Inter Circles

Manu Koné has progressed from a starstruck teenager who photographed Paul Pogba at Euro 2016 to a key player in France's World Cup campaign. Roma signed the midfielder for €18 million, and his performances at the club earned him his international debut on 6 September 2024 at age 23 — the same dream he held when he admired Pogba years earlier. Koné has featured prominently in France's tournament run, appearing in group matches against Iraq and Norway, then in the knockout stages against Paraguay after resting against Sweden. The midfielder has documented his journey with compelling social media content, including a comic posted one day before the tournament began showing his family celebrating and thanking manager Deschamps, alongside memories stretching back to May 2012 when his brother first told him about a World Cup dream. He has remained engaged even when not called upon, and stands ready to step in if Aurélien Tchouameni is unavailable for the quarter-finals against Morocco in Boston — notably featuring Roma teammate Neil El Aynaoui on the opposing side.

Neil El Aynaoui has transformed from a source of tension among Morocco supporters into a cornerstone of the national team's midfield. A year ago, fans questioned his commitment to the Atlas Lions after he missed a June gathering with the squad—initially due to an injury sustained while at Lens—and attended a charity match in Nancy, his birthplace in France, sparking speculation he was waiting for France's call. His father Younes later confirmed his absolute intention to represent Morocco. Since joining Roma, El Aynaoui made his eagerly awaited national team debut in August 2025 and immediately claimed a starting role in midfield. His breakthrough accelerated during the Africa Cup of Nations, where his Instagram following surged from 50,000 to over one million. What captivates supporters is not merely technical quality but his tenacity, work rate, and fighting spirit. He has become an omnipresent force—relentless in pressing and ball recovery, tireless in attacking contributions, and complementary to midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Distance covered in recent matches: 11.77 km against Brazil, 12.29 km against Scotland, 10.29 km against Haiti, 14.37 km against the Netherlands, and 11.04 km against Canada. El Aynaoui now faces the most significant challenge of his career at the ongoing World Cup. A fellow Roma midfielder, Manu Koné, plays for France—creating a special intersection not only through their shared giallorossi identity but also the broader narrative of a Nancy-born player seeking to close a chapter and pursue his dream.

Roma will return to their Fulvio Bernardini training centre on Monday for the start of their summer retreat, marking the official beginning of preparations for the new season. The squad will work at reduced strength initially, with several key players still absent due to international commitments. The first two weeks will combine training sessions with a series of friendlies to build match fitness. Roma's opening friendly schedule has undergone a change: the originally planned match against Roma City has been cancelled and replaced by a fixture against Sorianese, an Eccellenza-level club from the Lazio region, on 16 July. Between 19 and 24 July, the club will play two further internal tests, facing the Primavera side and then Trastevere. This framework of fixtures will allow the coaching staff to gradually integrate players returning from their respective national team duties.

Roma have secured contract extensions with Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik after lengthy negotiations. Dybala has accepted a one-year deal with a team option for an additional campaign, with his salary cut by more than half compared to 2025/26. The Argentine will earn approximately €3M plus bonuses tied to appearances and objectives. Çelik will also remain at the club on improved terms, though Roma will continue to benefit from fiscal savings on his wages. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini championed both renewals and will work closely with Dybala's staff to manage his availability throughout a more demanding season that includes UEFA Champions League football. The revised wage structure reflects Dybala's part-time role given the fixture schedule and his recent injury history. Roma will announce both agreements shortly. Lorenzo Pellegrini is next on the agenda, with the two parties reported to be close despite no deal yet finalised; Pellegrini rejected a proposal from Besiktas. Gasperini and his assistants will prioritise minimising the frequent injuries that have hampered Dybala in recent years. The club sought to balance financial prudence with retaining key players, and negotiations proved demanding—though Roma secured terms they believe represent good value given circumstances and the difficulty in sourcing replacement options.

Paulo Dybala has discussed his arrival at Roma and his experiences with the club in an interview on the Daavo Xeneize YouTube channel. The Argentine forward credited José Mourinho with bringing him to the Giallorossi, saying the manager called him frequently and wanted him to join. Dybala described his first moments at Roma as a surprise: he arrived thinking he would attend a welcome press conference but found between 10,000 and 15,000 people gathered to greet him. "From the moment I left the Argentine players' line-up, I knew I would shoot down the middle," he said of his World Cup final penalty. "I also knew the goalkeeper would throw himself. Obviously you're going to take a penalty in a World Cup final, so it's an enormous moment. But I wasn't thinking about the fact that I could miss or that the country would criticise me. At that moment I was only focused on what I had to do." Dybala praised Mourinho's impact at the club: "Mourinho is a genius. Beyond what he has done in football, with us he always spoke with respect, he protected us and he loved us. At Roma people fell in love with him for what he gave: a title after many years and a Europa League final that, in my opinion, we deserved." He also commented on the performance of his national teammate, saying: "He is doing well at the World Cup, I follow him carefully. He is a good guy, as well as a strong player at Roma. I am happy for him."

Leandro Paredes has revealed he attempted to persuade Paulo Dybala to join Boca Juniors, speaking after Argentina's comeback victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16 in America. The midfielder confirmed that a move to the Argentine club was among the possibilities under discussion and had crossed Dybala's mind during negotiations. Paredes told reporters in the mixed zone that he had spoken extensively with his compatriot in recent months about the prospect. Dybala, a current Roma player, is in contract renewal talks with the Giallorossi. Paredes said of his teammate: "I spoke a lot with him over these months. It was one of the possibilities on the contract, in his thoughts too. His life is very calm there. So I only wish him the best because he is an exceptional boy." The comments suggest Dybala has chosen to remain in Rome rather than pursue a return to South America at this stage of his career.

Roma have secured contract extensions with Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik after lengthy negotiations. Dybala has accepted a one-year deal with a team option for an additional campaign, with his salary cut by more than half compared to 2025/26. The Argentine will earn approximately €3M plus bonuses tied to appearances and objectives. Çelik will also remain at the club on improved terms, though Roma will continue to benefit from fiscal savings on his wages. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini championed both renewals and will work closely with Dybala's staff to manage his availability throughout a more demanding season that includes UEFA Champions League football. The revised wage structure reflects Dybala's part-time role given the fixture schedule and his recent injury history. Roma will announce both agreements shortly. Lorenzo Pellegrini is next on the agenda, with the two parties reported to be close despite no deal yet finalised; Pellegrini rejected a proposal from Besiktas. Gasperini and his assistants will prioritise minimising the frequent injuries that have hampered Dybala in recent years. The club sought to balance financial prudence with retaining key players, and negotiations proved demanding—though Roma secured terms they believe represent good value given circumstances and the difficulty in sourcing replacement options.

Mason Greenwood's move to Roma has hit a significant impasse over salary demands. Initially enthusiastic about joining the Giallorossi and having reached an understanding with the club, the English forward's stance hardened after Fenerbahçe tabled a rival offer reportedly worth approximately 7 million euros net per season plus commissions. Greenwood's father and agent have since pushed Roma to increase their wage proposal, but the club remains firm on a ceiling of 4.5 million euros net annually, creating a substantial gap that threatens to derail the transfer. Meanwhile, Roma's hierarchy has progressed swiftly on contract renewals. Extensions for Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala are reportedly close to completion, with only official announcement pending. Lorenzo Pellegrini's renewal remains slightly unresolved, with approximately half a million euros still to be settled, though this is described as a minor obstacle unlikely to prevent final agreement. On the academy front, Roma has confirmed the appointment of Massimo Margiotta as new head of the youth academy following his official departure from Verona.

AS Roma is close to completing contract renewals for its core squad following the club's return to the Champions League after seven years. Three players — Paulo Dybala, Zeki Çelik, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — are currently out of contract, with agreements already reached with Dybala and Çelik in recent days; both deals are now in the drafting stage. Pellegrini remains the main outstanding issue, with negotiations ongoing and a potential decisive meeting expected as soon as today. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini told Sky Sport: "The players are happy, the club will handle the announcements." The squad must be finalised before Monday, when the team gathers at Trigoria. Pellegrini is seeking a three-year contract to resist approaches from abroad, while Roma is holding out for a two-year deal. Despite the gap, both sides are expected to reach an agreement, possibly with added options as a compromise. The defensive pair Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are also due for renewal; Mancini is likely to sign a new three-year contract to ward off interest from Inter, while Cristante could accept two years. Stephan El Shaarawy was recently released from the club following Verona's final match of the season.

AS Roma is close to completing contract renewals for its core squad following the club's return to the Champions League after seven years. Three players — Paulo Dybala, Zeki Çelik, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — are currently out of contract, with agreements already reached with Dybala and Çelik in recent days; both deals are now in the drafting stage. Pellegrini remains the main outstanding issue, with negotiations ongoing and a potential decisive meeting expected as soon as today. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini told Sky Sport: "The players are happy, the club will handle the announcements." The squad must be finalised before Monday, when the team gathers at Trigoria. Pellegrini is seeking a three-year contract to resist approaches from abroad, while Roma is holding out for a two-year deal. Despite the gap, both sides are expected to reach an agreement, possibly with added options as a compromise. The defensive pair Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are also due for renewal; Mancini is likely to sign a new three-year contract to ward off interest from Inter, while Cristante could accept two years. Stephan El Shaarawy was recently released from the club following Verona's final match of the season.

Kostas Tsimikas's spell at Roma has ended without the impact promised when Liverpool loaned him to the club on 31 August 2025. The left-back arrived as backup to Angeliño but failed to deliver despite encouraging early signs, making just 1050 minutes across 18 Serie A appearances and 7 Europa League matches. His season average rating of 5.63 reflects a run marred by costly errors—including a meekly struck free kick at Como that became social media fodder—and finishing with only one assist to his name, earned in a Europa League match at Nice on 24 September when he set up Gianluca Mancini twice in a performance that proved his sole highlight. Tsimikas debuted in the Derby della Capitale on 21 September, contributing the final 9 minutes of Roma's victory against Lazio, but never again demonstrated the quality shown in France. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini was forced to solve the left-back shortage by deploying Wesley in that position, with Zeki Çelik anchoring the opposite flank—a makeshift arrangement that ultimately benefited Roma through Wesley's exceptional form. Roma chose not to activate the permanent option on the Greek international, who has returned to Liverpool. The 41-cap international's failure to flourish, despite arriving as an experienced Premier League performer, underscores how promising signings can falter even when all conditions appear favourable.

Roma's management is racing to secure contract renewals for key players ahead of the squad's first training session on 13 July under Gian Piero Gasperini. Sporting director Tony D'Amico aims to finalise all outstanding agreements by early next week, targeting a stable core group for the new season. Three priority renewals are in their final stages. Right-back Zeki Çelik's deal is complete at approximately 2 million euros per season, with an official announcement expected between today and Wednesday. Paulo Dybala has agreed a one-year renewal with a club option for a further year worth around 3 million euros total, after initial discussions on contract duration were resolved. The Argentine will spend time in Rome with his family before joining Gasperini's project. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the captain currently without a contract after 21 years at the club, is in active negotiations on a three-year deal valued at roughly 3 million euros per season, with talks described as confidential and prospects positive. Two further high-priority renewals remain on D'Amico's desk: defenders Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante, both contracted until 30 June 2027. The club's intention is to extend both agreements further to cement the squad's future around established certainties.