Mbaye competition intensifies as Liverpool and Manchester City enter race

Riccardo Pagano is poised to leave AS Roma for the second time, signing with Cesena on a three-year contract. The midfielder arrived in the city today and will undergo medical examinations tomorrow before completing the move, following a season on loan at Bari. Pagano made seven appearances for Roma during the 2023–24 season under José Mourinho, who gave him his debut on 20 August 2023 against Salernitana. The 23-year-old's spell in the Giallorossi shirt proved brief, and he was loaned out before now securing a permanent switch to the Serie B side.

Kostas Tsimikas has been named Liverpool captain for the first time, a striking turnaround after his disappointing spell at AS Roma. The left-back arrived in Rome last summer to bring experience from his years at Liverpool, but failed to establish himself on the flank despite Angeliño's absence. His time at the Stadio Olimpico was marked by poor performances, including a memorable poor free-kick attempt against Como and being substituted for Bryan Zaragoza. Roma supporters view the development with bitter irony—what promised to be a valuable acquisition under Gasperini became a complete failure. Tsimikas has now returned to Liverpool, where he has been warmly received by the club's supporters. Manager Arne Slot, who took over from predecessor Jurgen Slot, has confirmed the Greek defender in the squad for next season and appears committed to building around him. The contrast between Tsimikas's struggles in Serie A and his embrace at Anfield illustrates how drastically circumstances can differ for the same player at different clubs. His captaincy represents a significant show of faith from Liverpool's new management.

Anass Salah-Eddine's future at AS Roma appears increasingly distant following the end of his loan spell at PSV Eindhoven. The left-back has returned to the capital but does not feature in Gian Piero Gasperini's plans; he was excluded from summer pre-season training, and the club is actively working to offload him. Salah-Eddine has reportedly approved a move back to the Dutch Eredivisie, a league he knows well and where he believes he can establish regular first-team football. While no formal offers have yet reached Roma's desk, several Dutch clubs have expressed interest and talks are progressing positively. Real Betis has also emerged as a suitor, conducting an initial enquiry on the 2002-born defender in recent days, though the Spanish side has not yet submitted a concrete proposal. Roma remain ready to listen to offers for a player who falls outside Gasperini's vision. A resolution is expected within the coming weeks as the Giallorossi weigh their options between interested parties in both the Netherlands and Spain.