Pellegrini absence no cause for alarm, says Aspri; Pruzzo suggests Roma would not be unhappy if captain left

Mario Balotelli has named AS Roma among the contenders for next season's Serie A title, alongside Napoli and Inter. Speaking to Sportmediaset, the former Milan striker said: "Napoli and Inter are the favourites, but I want to add a surprise: Roma will also fight for the Scudetto." Balotelli, now based in Saudi Arabia, predicted that Gian Piero Gasperini's side will be in the mix for the championship despite not being among the usual elite. Roma have not yet completed any significant transfer business ahead of their squad gathering tomorrow. The pursuit of Greenwood has fallen away, while the club continues to work on signing a backup to Malen, with Tresoldi identified as a target, and also Garnacho. The Giallorossi are preparing to restart their season following a challenging campaign. Balotelli's endorsement represents external confidence in Roma's prospects, though the club's transfer activity will be crucial to whether they can genuinely mount a title challenge.

Dario Bonetti has thrown his weight behind Manu Koné remaining at Roma, citing his standout performances at the World Cup as proof of his absolute value to Gian Piero Gasperini's midfield. Speaking exclusively to Romanews.eu, Bonetti said: "The World Cup is proving he is a midfielder of absolute value, fundamental in relaunching the action and in ball recovery, an aspect fundamental to Gasperini's football." Bonetti also praised the club's decision to retain Paulo Dybala with proper financial terms, believing the forward should have been kept: "I would have retained him too with the right economic conditions; from now on it will be important that he stays healthy and is managed by Gasperini's staff in a way to prevent injuries." Bonetti noted that while Roma lost time pursuing Mason Greenwood, the transfer market's inherent complications mean securing the right deals is difficult. He stressed the importance of maintaining the squad's strong foundation, which has already secured Champions League qualification. Regarding Gasperini's demeanour heading into pre-season, Bonetti attributed the coach's apparent calm not to the arrival of sporting director D'Amico but rather to Gasperini's established standing at the club after his first season: "Last year Gasperini had to settle in, had everything to prove and felt the pressure of an environment to conquer; a year later he has that environment in his hands, including the fans, and restarts from a strong squad."

Rome's radio stations have aired divergent views on Manu Koné's transfer valuation, with one commentator insisting the midfielder is worth significantly more than his reported asking price. Piero Torri argued: "Koné is a starter for the strongest nation at the World Cup. Less than 60 million is not his value, and if Roma were to sell him at that figure they would make 50 million in profit." The debate follows reports that Koné could be available for 50 million euros, with Stefano Petrucci calling that figure "ridiculous" and comparing the midfielder's standing to Tonali. Gasperini's priority in the transfer window centres on attacking reinforcements and midfield depth. Ugo Trani predicted five arrivals following likely departures, with Matías Soulé expected to leave. Trani outlined potential targets including players described as capable of operating in multiple forward positions and assisting roles, though he acknowledged uncertainty around specific deals. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal is expected to reach 2.5 million euros plus achievable bonuses, according to Paolo Marcacci, while Lorenzo Pellegrini remains in contract discussions that Marcacci described as a period of stagnation affecting his career momentum. Discussion also touched on attacking targets Greenwood, Garnacho, and Nusa, with Trani noting complications around Manchester United's own transfer strategy affecting Roma's negotiating position.

Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss Roma's official training camp opening at Trigoria tomorrow, though negotiations over his contract renewal have moved closer to completion in recent days. The midfielder and the club are increasingly aligned on extending their partnership, with concrete progress reported in talks. Pellegrini's entourage is reaching a verbal agreement with Roma, though a formal deal has not yet been announced. Pellegrini's absence from tomorrow's session is due to two factors: the contractual situation remains awaiting formal finalisation, and an injury sustained late last season requires careful management of his return. Meanwhile, contract situations for Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik are already advancing towards resolution.

Roma's pre-season camp begins Monday 13 July at Trigoria under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala will be present after signing a one-year contract with an option until 2028, with the deal's official confirmation expected in the coming days. Zeki Çelik and Lorenzo Pellegrini will be absent, both currently free agents in negotiations to renew with the club. While Çelik's deal is nearly finalised, talks with Pellegrini continue with a €500,000 gap between the club's offer and his demand, though optimism is filtering through. The pair's absences extend beyond contract matters. Çelik, recovering from Turkey's early elimination from the World Cup, receives standard additional rest alongside other international players. Pellegrini, however, will not train regardless of negotiations—a recurring injury sustained in May's derby, which cost him the end of last season, continues to trouble him. The squad will train at Trigoria before the second phase of pre-season begins on 31 July in Wales, running until 8 August, with further friendlies scheduled thereafter.

Roma's summer transfer strategy is being shaped by the tension between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's technical ambitions and the club's commitment to financial discipline. Director Tony D'Amico is navigating this balance, evaluating each move carefully to avoid repeating past budget mismanagement. Diego Moreira is central to Roma's plans, with Gasperini keen on the midfielder's tactical versatility to bolster the flanks alongside Wesley. However, Strasbourg's asking price is deemed too high, and if negotiations don't yield flexibility, Roma may pursue less expensive targets. Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho remains under monitoring despite Chelsea's economic demands appearing beyond reach for Roma's proposed loan-with-option-to-buy formula. Nicolò Tresoldi is a concrete attacking target, with Roma attempting to lower Club Brugge's valuation to pair him with Donyell Malen. On the contract front, renewals for Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik are settled. Lorenzo Pellegrini's extension talks are progressing, though both parties must bridge a modest wage gap while Pellegrini recovers fully from recent injury before resuming full training.

Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss Roma's official training camp opening at Trigoria tomorrow, though negotiations over his contract renewal have moved closer to completion in recent days. The midfielder and the club are increasingly aligned on extending their partnership, with concrete progress reported in talks. Pellegrini's entourage is reaching a verbal agreement with Roma, though a formal deal has not yet been announced. Pellegrini's absence from tomorrow's session is due to two factors: the contractual situation remains awaiting formal finalisation, and an injury sustained late last season requires careful management of his return. Meanwhile, contract situations for Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik are already advancing towards resolution.

Roma's pre-season camp begins Monday 13 July at Trigoria under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala will be present after signing a one-year contract with an option until 2028, with the deal's official confirmation expected in the coming days. Zeki Çelik and Lorenzo Pellegrini will be absent, both currently free agents in negotiations to renew with the club. While Çelik's deal is nearly finalised, talks with Pellegrini continue with a €500,000 gap between the club's offer and his demand, though optimism is filtering through. The pair's absences extend beyond contract matters. Çelik, recovering from Turkey's early elimination from the World Cup, receives standard additional rest alongside other international players. Pellegrini, however, will not train regardless of negotiations—a recurring injury sustained in May's derby, which cost him the end of last season, continues to trouble him. The squad will train at Trigoria before the second phase of pre-season begins on 31 July in Wales, running until 8 August, with further friendlies scheduled thereafter.

Roma's summer transfer strategy is being shaped by the tension between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's technical ambitions and the club's commitment to financial discipline. Director Tony D'Amico is navigating this balance, evaluating each move carefully to avoid repeating past budget mismanagement. Diego Moreira is central to Roma's plans, with Gasperini keen on the midfielder's tactical versatility to bolster the flanks alongside Wesley. However, Strasbourg's asking price is deemed too high, and if negotiations don't yield flexibility, Roma may pursue less expensive targets. Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho remains under monitoring despite Chelsea's economic demands appearing beyond reach for Roma's proposed loan-with-option-to-buy formula. Nicolò Tresoldi is a concrete attacking target, with Roma attempting to lower Club Brugge's valuation to pair him with Donyell Malen. On the contract front, renewals for Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik are settled. Lorenzo Pellegrini's extension talks are progressing, though both parties must bridge a modest wage gap while Pellegrini recovers fully from recent injury before resuming full training.