Nine Roma players share 100 appearances but fail to make an impact under Gasperini

Paulo Dybala has accepted a salary reduction of over one-third to remain at Roma, earning two million euros for the coming season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pressed strongly for the Argentine forward's stay. Dybala's renewal option for the following year is contingent on him playing at least 45-minute appearances, with additional bonuses tied to performance metrics. Two years ago, Dybala rejected lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia that would have tripled his wages; today he accepts substantially less to stay at the club. The decision underscores the commitment Dybala has shown to Roma since his arrival. Gasperini championed his retention through both the previous summer and this transfer window, with the club backing the manager's judgment. Dybala would earn roughly one-tenth of what he might command elsewhere, a sacrifice that reflects his emotional connection to the Giallorossi. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the club captain, has similarly agreed to a wage cut to remain at Roma. Pellegrini, who turned 30, is negotiating contract length with his representatives: the club seeks two years while his entourage requests three, though any new deal will be at a reduced salary.

Paulo Dybala arrived back at Rome's Fiumicino airport in the late afternoon, his expression and demeanor radiating contentment as he returned to what has become his second home. Despite the visible happiness, Dybala offered measured words on his contract situation: "On the renewal, we still cannot confirm." He added that the club will need to take the first step in officially extending his stay, and pledged to greet supporters when they meet: "When I see them, I will say hello to them!" He did not comment on discussions with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who pushed strongly for his continued presence in the capital. Dybala will report for pre-season training at the Fulvio Bernardini tomorrow. Matías Soulé also returned from Argentina on the same flight as Dybala, though his outlook contrasts sharply with his teammate's. When asked about his future at Roma, Soulé replied: "If I stay at Roma? I don't know, I've just got back." The winger had been close to a move to Saudi Arabia in late June when the club needed to sell to meet settlement agreement obligations, but that deal fell through. Unlike Dybala's evident emotional connection, Soulé appeared more detached about his situation, leaving his immediate future uncertain.

Gian Piero Gasperini will have a close look at AS Roma's youth prospects during the summer training camp, which begins tomorrow at Trigoria. While the club pursues transfer targets, Gasperini will be able to call Primavera players to train alongside the first team on a daily basis. Although sessions will be held on separate pitches, the head coach will have a direct view of the young squad's development. Mattia Guaglianone, a 2010-born prospect, has signed his first professional contract and will have the opportunity to impress Gasperini, though he will not officially attend the first-team camp. Structural changes are underway in the youth academy following Margiotta's appointment as director. Mattia Scala will replace Guidi as Primavera coach—becoming the youngest U20 coach in the club's history—while the club works to resolve the contract situation of the outgoing Tuscan tactician, who has one year remaining on his deal. Roma will face local opposition during the early phase of preparations before European tests begin in late July. On Sunday 26 July at 18:00, Roma play Cannes at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin (a club owned by the Friedkin Group). Further fixtures follow: Cardiff on 1 August, Newport on 4 August, Brighton on 8 August, and Borussia Dortmund on 15 August.

Pierluigi Gollini reported to Roma's Trigoria training ground on Thursday morning, three days before the official start of pre-season scheduled for Monday, 13 July. The goalkeeper confirmed his early arrival via an Instagram story, joining Wesley in showing eagerness ahead of the 2026–27 campaign. Both players' enthusiasm underscores the squad's preparation for the new season. Gollini had recently appeared at El Shaarawy's wedding alongside teammates Mancini and Cristante, whose contracts expire in 2027, and Pellegrini, who is awaiting a contract renewal. The gathering reflected the close-knit atmosphere within the squad as players gear up for pre-season, with several key members keen to resolve outstanding contract matters. The official raduno at Trigoria will formally launch Roma's preparations for the campaign ahead.

Stephan El Shaarawy married Ludovica Pagani in a civil ceremony attended by several current Roma players and members of the football world. Lorenzo Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini, Pierluigi Gollini, and Bryan Cristante were among the guests, reflecting the close friendships El Shaarawy has built within the Roma squad. The presence of these four squad leaders underscores the unity fostered in the dressing room beyond the pitch. El Shaarawy, who wore the Roma number 92, remains connected to his former teammates despite his departure from the club. Sergio Oliveira, the Portuguese midfielder who featured in Roma's 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League triumph, also attended to celebrate the occasion with his friend. The wedding brought together the close-knit group that has defined Roma's recent campaigns.

Stephan El Shaarawy married Ludovica Pagani at Villa Aldobrandini near Frascati, with a significant Roma contingent in attendance. Current Roma players Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante, and Lorenzo Pellegrini were among the guests, joined by former Roma midfielder Sergio Oliveira, who was visiting Rome for the occasion. Gollini also attended the celebration. A photograph posted on social media showed Oliveira and Pellegrini together, featuring emoji of a yellow heart, red heart, and the Roma wolf symbol. The reunion held special significance for several attendees. Mancini, Cristante, Oliveira, and Pellegrini all shared a memorable experience in 2022 when they won the UEFA Europa Conference League in Tirana. The wedding brought together members of that historic squad to celebrate El Shaarawy's marriage to the Bergamo-based DJ and influencer. The gathering highlighted the close bonds that persist among Roma's players and former squad members. El Shaarawy, nicknamed "the Pharaoh," has been part of Roma's recent history, and the presence of current players underscored the team's tight-knit culture.

Roma have renewed their pursuit of Diego Moreira, the 2004-born Strasbourg winger who featured for Belgium at the World Cup, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's priority reinforcement on the left side. The French club values the Belgian at €40 million—a figure Roma director Tony D'Amico will attempt to reduce through negotiation. A previous approach came before the World Cup tournament, and the club has now resumed talks. Moreira's arrival would restore Wesley to his natural position on the right flank. The winger impressed on the opposite side last season, but Gasperini's vision centres on strengthening the left, a flank without a settled incumbent. Salah-Eddine is being moved on, Angeliño will be evaluated during the pre-season retreat, and Kostas Tsimikas departed a month ago. Gasperini views Moreira as the ideal fit: quick, technical, and with sharp attacking capabilities demonstrated in matches such as the encounter against Senegal. Last season the Belgian recorded 4 goals and 7 assists. The decision now rests with the Friedkin Group ownership.

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.

Zeki Celik is close to signing a new three-year contract with AS Roma following Turkey's elimination from the World Cup at the group stage. The club and player have reached an agreement in principle, with an announcement expected in the coming days. However, Celik will not be Gasperini's starting right-back. The head coach has requested reinforcement on the right flank and views Celik as a versatile option who can operate on either wing or as a right centre-back to rotate with Gianluca Mancini. Gasperini's primary target for the right-back position is a younger profile than Molina, who is considered a secondary option at 28 years old. Dodô is not being pursued, as Roma has not made any formal approach for the player. On the left side, Wesley remains a key part of the plans after rejecting Chelsea and is ready for the upcoming season. Ruggeri is not a target for Roma. The club will seek an alternative to Wesley on the left, with Angeliño expected to depart. Roma continues to work on contract extensions for key players, with Celik's renewal progressing alongside talks with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini regarding their own deals.

Roma are moving decisively for Bruges striker Nicolò Tresoldi, with Gasperini viewing him as a second attacking option behind Donyell Malen. The Italian-born, German-based forward, born in 2004, has already made an impact in European football, scoring four Champions League goals including efforts against Monaco, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid. D'Amico has recently sounded out the player, who is open to a move to the capital. Treesoldi is emerging as a target to bolster Roma's offensive depth. Gasperini wants another high-level attacker to support Malen, and the youngster's pedigree at Champions League level appeals to the Roma hierarchy. The club need not wait for Artem Dovbyk's departure before pursuing the deal, though the Ukrainian remains on the market. Spanish clubs Betis and Villarreal are tracking Dovbyk, who has never gained Gasperini's backing and was approved for exit last season. Dovbyk awaits a project that fully satisfies him. Robinio Vaz is also potentially available, with Bologna already enquiring about a possible loan move. The dynamics in Roma's forward line remain fluid as the January window develops.

Roma are pursuing Brugge forward Tresoldi as a potential signing, with director D'Amico evaluating several profiles to strengthen the attacking department. The key development is a change in strategy: Tresoldi's arrival no longer depends on the sale of Artem Dovbyk. Roma remain keen to sign the player despite significant competition, notably from Atlético Madrid. The club could move to secure Tresoldi's services in the coming days, positioning him as a backup option to Donyell Malen in the forward line. Roma's attacking options are currently limited. Malen is the only guaranteed starter, while Dovbyk appears increasingly likely to leave this summer and Robinio Vaz could depart on loan. This shortage has prompted the club to explore offensive reinforcements, with Tresoldi emerging as the priority target. The revised approach signals Roma's flexibility in the market, allowing them to pursue the Brugge forward independently of other outgoings. The operation could take shape imminently, with the club now required to make its decisive move.

Roma commentators have weighed in on the club's pursuit of Greenwood, with opinion divided on whether the deal will progress. Fernando Orsi told Radio Radio that if Roma signs Greenwood, it would be a striking coup that moves the market, noting that only Milan and Como have been active so far. He added that Roma could face problems within a week and highlighted Scamacca as a quality centre-forward who has improved considerably. Roberto Pruzzo cautioned that Roma must assess how feasible the Greenwood deal is, observing that Tresoldi and Dovbyk have totally different characteristics. Pruzzo stated: "If you free yourself of Dovbyk that's already a success. Roma, if it wants to win in the next two years, must not think about gambles." Balzani on TeleRadioStereo suggested Greenwood's salary demands are not the decisive factor; rather, the fee Roma must pay to Marseille is the sticking point, and the club's hesitation suggests it has not been fully convinced. He warned that if no signings arrive by the squad assembly, Gasperini will begin to press hard. Marcacci at Radio Radio noted that Greenwood's staff are raising the bar and cautioned Roma not to be bullied in this operation. Pruzzo also referenced Roma's 25-million-euro spending on Robinio Vaz, whom the club has never used and likely never will.