Morocco name El Aynaoui in World Cup squad

Roma conclude their pre-season tour of Britain at the Amex Stadium today at 16:00 (15:00 local time) against Brighton, managed by Hürzeler. Gian Piero Gasperini intends to use the fixture as a full dress rehearsal for the season ahead, planning to field his strongest XI with considerable minutes. The squad departed their Vale Resort base in Wales yesterday morning after a final training session, flying from Cardiff airport at approximately 17:40 to Gatwick before travelling by coach to Brighton's south coast venue. Roma and Brighton last met in the Europa League in March 2024 when Daniele De Rossi managed Roma. The giallorossi won the first leg 4–0 at the Olimpico, then lost the return fixture 1–0 at the Amex—a result that proved inconsequential to the tie. Gasperini has indicated he will rotate little from the previous friendlies, expecting his players to build momentum ahead of the season. In attack, an alternating pairing of Castro and Malen is anticipated, continuing to develop confidence in the Argentine striker and give the Dutch forward opportunities after recent illness forced him into individual training. Hermoso is expected to return to the defence. Bryan Cristante spoke to Sky Sport before departing Wales: "The Champions League? There's huge desire because we'd come close a few times over recent seasons, but we've finally managed to return after a really strong campaign. We can't wait to start. The clash with Dybala? That wasn't a dispute between me and him—it concerned other things. A second and it was done. Pellegrini? He updates us, we can't wait to see him back here and we're waiting for him." Roma's next pre-season fixture is against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August.

Roma have resolved several outstanding transfer matters in recent days. Marash Kumbulla is joining Rayo Vallecano on a move to Spain, with the defender saying: "I am happy and enthusiastic to wear the Rayo shirt and begin this new adventure. It is a team that last year showed how, through hard work, important objectives can be achieved. Moreover, we are talking about one of the most historic clubs in La Liga, a league I now know very well thanks to past experiences. I want to thank the president and coach for their confidence, and I cannot wait to begin." Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract extension for one year has been finalised, awaiting only official club announcement. The departures of Kumbulla and Angeliño have freed resources, and Roma's focus now shifts to recruiting wingers—one attacking left-sided player and one on the left wing-back role. On the right flank, Nahuel Molina's arrival is effectively confirmed pending EU clearance through Spanish citizenship. Roma are targeting left-sided attacking options, with Nusa of Leipzig identified as the primary target despite his substantial asking price. Malick Fofana, the Belgian talent at Lyon recently recovered from injury, is also under consideration at a lower valuation. If Matías Soulé departs, Endrick—on loan at Real Madrid—remains in contention, with no objection from either Mastantuono's operation or José Mourinho. On the wing-back front, Cacciamani continues to appeal but has been blocked, at least publicly, by Cairo; alternative options are under evaluation.

Roma spent the penultimate day of their United Kingdom pre-season tour in transit to Brighton on 7 August, departing Vale Resort after a final training session in the morning before flying to London at 18:00 and travelling by coach to the south coast. Brighton's official social media channels welcomed the Giallorossi with a video set to Lando Fiorini's 'Forza Roma', the club's anthem. Paulo Dybala and his teammates arrived at the Maldron Hotel in the evening, where they stayed overnight ahead of tomorrow's friendly. The fixture against Brighton takes place at the Amex Stadium at 16:00 Italian time on 8 August, marking the first meeting between the sides since their Europa League encounter two years ago. Roma will return to the capital immediately after the match, with training resuming on Tuesday. The club's pre-season schedule concludes with a final test against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August before the Serie A season opener on 24 August against Fiorentina at the Olimpico.

Roma will face Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium on 8 August 2026 at 16:00 Italian time. The match comes after Roma's training camp in Wales and friendlies against Cardiff and Newport County. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, midfielders Devyne Rensch, Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante, and Wesley, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in attacking roles behind striker Donyell Malen. Tickets for the fixture are available through Brighton's official website. The friendly will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text coverage available on ilromanista.eu and radio commentary from Radio Romanista providing real-time updates from the stadium.

Roma radio pundits offered contrasting assessments of the club's transfer approach and squad strength ahead of the new season. Roberto Pruzzo said: "In these summer friendlies the same squad as last year has been on show. If a player capable of shifting the balance and adding quality doesn't really arrive, then it remains a repetitive squad. Roma has several certainties but the creativity is what it is. To try to raise the level of the attacking department you need that type of player who reshuffles the cards." Alexandro Vocalelli rated Neil El Aynaoui as useful but noted a significant gap between him and Manu Koné, calling Koné arguably Roma's most irreplaceable player. Ugo Trani dismissed Rafa Leão as impractical, citing salary demands and consistency concerns, and suggested that Arsenal's pursuit of Nusa made a move unlikely, though the Leipzig forward would not object to joining Roma. Trani also mentioned that Gasperini had made a personal commitment to a broadcast without a formal Sky contract agreement, and that an interview could take place in the coming days. Stefano Agresti suggested Gasperini might not be greatly troubled by Koné's departure if El Aynaoui develops further. Francesco Balzani reported that a market summit with Friedkin had been planned but lacked positive outcome, while Francesco Balzani and Antonio Felici highlighted the difficulty of securing attacking reinforcements on Roma's budget constraints.

Neil El Aynaoui has dismissed interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona to focus entirely on Roma and the new season ahead. Speaking on Radio Radio, the Morocco international reflected on his first year in Italian football as a foundation for growth. "It was the first time I was leaving France and facing a new championship. This experience has made me grow and today I feel I have much more experience," he said. El Aynaoui praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's demanding methods and clear vision. "He is a very demanding coach and knows exactly what he wants. We work hard and I think that, thanks to him, we are making great progress," he explained. The 22-year-old also reflected on his Serie A debut against Bologna, where the atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico left a strong impression: "The first match against Bologna was special. It was the first time I really saw the stadium full: the atmosphere impressed me." Looking ahead to Roma's Champions League campaign, El Aynaoui expressed his eagerness to compete at European football's highest level. "When I arrived, everyone told me the objective was to qualify for the Champions League. Today I am very happy to be able to play it. It is a dream for every footballer and I cannot wait to start," he said. Roma face Fiorentina in their next fixture.