Morocco advances to World Cup quarter-finals, eliminates Canada

AS Roma will face Newport County, a fourth-division English club, in a pre-season friendly on 4 August at 19:00 at Rodney Parade stadium in Newport, Wales. The club has announced ticket details through an official statement, with seats priced at €17.50, with reductions available for under-18s and under-14s, and free admission for children under 6. Gates open at 17:00 at Gate 6, and tickets are available on the Newport County website. The match is part of Roma's pre-season preparation ahead of the 2026–27 campaign. The team will begin their summer training retreat at Trigoria on 13 July, then relocate to Hensol in Wales from 31 July onwards. The Newport County fixture is one of several friendlies scheduled during this preparation period in Wales, allowing Gasperini's squad to build match fitness before the competitive season begins.

AS Roma have officially confirmed a pre-season friendly against Newport County on 4 August at Rodney Parade stadium in Wales, with kickoff at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italy time). The match is managed by former Leicester manager Fuchs and represents Roma's second test in the United Kingdom during their summer schedule. Information for visiting supporters' tickets will be communicated in the coming days. The Newport County fixture slots into Roma's busy pre-season calendar as they prepare for the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina. The friendly comes after an earlier match against Cardiff on 1 August, followed by another game at Brighton on 8 August. After these English fixtures, Roma will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August in their final warm-up before domestic competition resumes. These matches form part of the club's preparations under their summer training camp, with player fitness and tactical development a priority ahead of the new season.

Roma midfielder Manu Koné started for France in their Round of 16 World Cup match against Paraguay, replacing the injured Aurélien Tchouameni. Despite the absence of Real Madrid's midfielder, French media and supporters have praised Koné's solid display. France won 1–0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty, advancing to the quarter-finals while demonstrating resilience against a compact defensive opponent. Koné earned widespread acclaim for his performance across both defensive and attacking phases. Journalist Olivier Bossard of L'Équipe stated: "I am not concerned about Tchouameni's absence. I think Koné will be very good and hold firm. We are not losing quality—in fact, we may even improve with him, because we gain attacking options without losing anything in defence." The Roma midfielder recorded 88 touches, tied for the match high, and attempted three long-range shots while making continuous defensive interventions. RMC Sport named him man of the match, though some outlets such as Le Figaro highlighted technical errors in the first half. Deschamps' assistant Guy Stéphan described Koné as "a different type of player, one with quality and a different profile," emphasizing his ball recovery abilities and distribution. Koné was cautioned late in the match but demonstrated the work rate and versatility that satisfied French staff and supporters alike.

Roma are expected to table an official offer for Mason Greenwood this week, with the Marseille winger having assured head coach Gian Piero Gasperini of his commitment to join. Gasperini held a direct conversation with Greenwood and his father-agent, presenting his tactical vision and asking the forward pointedly: "Are you ready to run?" Greenwood responded affirmatively in Italian: "Yes I'm ready, I'll come to score many goals too." In parallel, Gasperini has moved to strengthen his attacking options. The coach has pursued Nicolò Tresoldi of Bruges over recent months and obtained the striker's agreement to join. Roma could secure Tresoldi on a loan deal with a purchase option, though his arrival depends on Artem Dovbyk's departure first. Should either Manu Koné or Neil El Aynaoui leave—both are attracting Premier League interest—Roma will pursue Jerdy Timber from Marseille as a replacement midfielder or defender. Rafa Leao has also been offered to Roma. The Milan winger is seeking a fresh challenge after seven seasons with the Rossoneri and is available on loan with a high redemption clause attached. Rome's new kit is already on sale outside Italy.

Manchester United has expressed strong interest in signing Roma midfielder El Aynaoui, according to recent reports. The English club has made contact with Roma's management, but the Italian club has signalled that €30 million may not be enough to secure the player's departure. Roma views El Aynaoui as a key asset and has no intention of offering a discount on any transfer fee. El Aynaoui's market value has risen considerably following his impressive performances at the World Cup with Morocco, where he became a regular starter from the opening match. Beyond Manchester United, other European clubs including Barcelona, Everton, and Liverpool have also shown interest. Roma's position is firm: the club does not wish to sell the midfielder after just one season, viewing him as an integral part of their project moving forward. El Aynaoui himself is keen to demonstrate his abilities in his second year under the guidance of head coach Gasperini, having established himself as a cornerstone of Roma's midfield. The player's World Cup success and Roma's reluctance to part with him have combined to strengthen his negotiating position, putting pressure on interested suitors to match the club's valuation if they wish to proceed.

Neil El Aynaoui continues to draw interest from major European clubs following a strong World Cup performance. Roma has responded by taking a firm stance to protect the player amid widespread transfer speculation. The defender's form at international level has made him a target for several top European sides. Details remain unclear regarding the specific clubs involved or the exact nature of Roma's resistance to potential offers.