Paredes: I tried to convince Dybala about Boca move

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has explained the challenges Roma faced in the summer transfer window, citing constraints imposed by the wage bill ceiling. Gasperini said: "We started with very high-profile targets, but we came up against the need for a wage cap ceiling. But we have good variety." The coach acknowledged that Roma's initial ambitions for the market had to be adjusted, though he expressed satisfaction with the squad's composition despite the financial restrictions. The wage structure imposed limits on Roma's ability to pursue their original transfer targets this summer. Gasperini stressed the importance of adapting strategy while maintaining squad depth across multiple positions, suggesting that the final roster, though different from the pre-window plan, offered sufficient options for the 2026–27 campaign.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has acknowledged Roma's current squad limitations ahead of the Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Speaking two days before the match and with ten days remaining in the summer transfer window, Gasperini said: "Numerically we are short, but we have two slots we can fill." The statement reflects Roma's ongoing recruitment push as the deadline approaches. The club faces Financial Fair Play constraints that have limited its transfer activity, forcing adjustments to targets. Despite these restrictions, Gasperini expressed satisfaction with the squad's progress and the adjustments made to the transfer strategy as the window enters its final phase.

Roma remain hampered by financial fair play rules as the summer transfer window enters its final stretch, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming the club is still short of two key positions. Gasperini said: "Numerically we are short, because we have the possibility of presenting 23 players in the squad list. At least as UEFA allows, especially for the Champions League. We still have two slots available and there are still ten days left, we hope to complete everything. Whoever arrives is strongly wanted and wants strongly to come and play at Roma. Two players can be added. But only if we can reach them with the conditions we can have. If the market offers this it will be so, otherwise we stay as we are." The missing positions are a left-back—where Oosterwolde appears close to completion—and a left winger, with Chelsea blocking a move for Gittens. On the squad's overall competitiveness, Gasperini said: "In the team, in the starting eleven, there has been good consolidation. In the squad, however, we are trying to make it more competitive, with players who can give and will give added value. I believe the squad is more competitive." The coach also reassured supporters about potential departures, saying: "For Koné, beyond the rumours, in fact there have never been any negotiations or requests that were so important. If there are any other exits it is only for changes, to switch. At the moment there is nothing certain."

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has expressed confidence in Paulo Dybala ahead of the 2026–27 season, praising the Argentine forward's condition after a full pre-season without injury. Gasperini said: "I see him very strong and at the peak of his maturity." The coach also noted that Dybala's form last season showed the same determination he displays now, adding: "He did not suffer any injuries, but you always keep your fingers crossed." Dybala joined Roma on a free transfer from Juventus in July 2022 and remains central to Gasperini's plans. The coach expressed optimism about Dybala's prospects in the campaign ahead, stating: "He will have a great season." Gasperini's remarks came as Roma navigate their squad development, with the club having been forced to adjust transfer targets during the summer window.

Paulo Dybala has impressed throughout the summer pre-season, completing his most injury-free preparation since arriving at Roma. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini offered strong backing for the Argentine ahead of the season-opener against Fiorentina in two days, though he acknowledged a degree of caution given Dybala's injury history. "I see him not only determined as he was last year, but also particularly strong," Gasperini said in his pre-match press conference. "He has done a preparation that perhaps he has not been able to complete for some time, without injuries. Obviously you always cross your fingers." Gasperini reflected on last season's misfortune, recalling two serious setbacks that derailed Dybala's campaign. "Last year he was very unlucky," the coach noted. "I remember two injuries—kicking a penalty in Milan and a free kick against Torino. Two extreme cases; in one he tore a meniscus and was out for three and a half months. Muscularly he seems much more toned." The 32-year-old may have lost some of the pace and shot power of his younger years, but Gasperini believes he has developed other qualities. "He is still relatively young; at 32 you are in the prime of your technical and physical maturity. I think he will have a great season, hoping that anomalies like last year do not happen." Matías Soulé, the other Argentine on Roma's attacking midfield, also drew Gasperini's praise after a difficult spell. The former Frosinone player arrived in pre-season overweight and still recovering from pubic bone problems but has made a strong recovery. "Last year he had a great first half of the season, then suffered pubalgia," Gasperini said. "In the retreat he was quite stationary, trying to treat this problem. He arrived quite overweight and not completely recovered. However, during preparation he was excellent, exceptional. Now he is in excellent condition and produced good pre-season performances, recovering perfectly physically and athletically. On this front I believe he is absolutely recovered to the level of the first part of last season."

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Roma's transfer strategy and squad preparation two days before the Fiorentina fixture, emphasising that while the squad is more competitive, UEFA financial controls have forced creative market decisions. Gasperini confirmed the club can still add two players numerically to the 23-strong squad sheet, but only if conditions can be met within budget limits. "The profile is only that of the UEFA regulations, there are no other possibilities," Gasperini said. "There are situations that UEFA imposes and from which even our ownership, much as they would like, cannot escape. If we had done Summerville we could not have done anything else. There are technical parameters that cannot be explained—you must have trust in the society that they are complex enough and force a club under UEFA control like Roma, unique in Italy right now, to comply." Gasperini revealed that reaching the Champions League last season had not resolved Roma's financial strictures as initially expected. "I thought that after six months or with arrival in the Champions the situation would be resolved, it is not so and this forces this type of market," he said. Roma remains the only Italian club subject to UEFA Financial Fair Play monitoring following accumulated deficits from previous years and has already received two deferrals; no further extension is available. Despite these constraints, Gasperini backed the recruitment approach, particularly the arrivals of Rodrigo Mora from Porto—described as "a very important investment, especially in perspective"—and the swap dealing that saw Zeki Çelik depart for Molina, and Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk exit for Castro. He also praised the contract reductions undertaken by Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, as well as renewals by Bryan Cristante and others. On the left-wing position, Gasperini stated he will only pursue a signing if it adds genuine value: "Numerically the discussion is what I said before—two players can be added. But only if they can be reached under the conditions we can have. If the market offers this it will be so, otherwise we stay as we are." Regarding Dybala, Gasperini expressed confidence the 32-year-old will achieve more appearances this season. "I am sure of this because I see him not only determined as he was last year but also particularly strong. He had a preparation that perhaps for a long time he could not complete, without injuries. Last year in my view he was very unlucky. I remember two injuries, kicking the penalty in Milan and the free kick against Turin. Two borderline cases—in one it cost him a meniscus and he was out three and a half months. Muscularly he seems much more toned. Perhaps he no longer has the speed and power of shot from when he was young, but he has improved other qualities. At 32 years old today you are in the prime of technical and physical maturity. I think he will have a great season." Gasperini will take stock of any remaining recruitment possibilities before facing Fiorentina, a heavily renovated side. He acknowledged uncertainty in his starting formation for the opening match, citing the integration of recently arrived players Mora and Molina alongside squad members returning from World Cup duty with different fitness levels. On the season's ambitions, Gasperini declined to discuss the Scudetto prospect, saying: "We must look at our own path, we are trying to do the best possible for our possibilities. I am convinced we will do well. To speak of a final result I do not know, it will also depend on the opponents."