Pellegrini contract renewal talks advance at Roma

Kostas Tsimikas has been named Liverpool captain for the first time, a striking turnaround after his disappointing spell at AS Roma. The left-back arrived in Rome last summer to bring experience from his years at Liverpool, but failed to establish himself on the flank despite Angeliño's absence. His time at the Stadio Olimpico was marked by poor performances, including a memorable poor free-kick attempt against Como and being substituted for Bryan Zaragoza. Roma supporters view the development with bitter irony—what promised to be a valuable acquisition under Gasperini became a complete failure. Tsimikas has now returned to Liverpool, where he has been warmly received by the club's supporters. Manager Arne Slot, who took over from predecessor Jurgen Slot, has confirmed the Greek defender in the squad for next season and appears committed to building around him. The contrast between Tsimikas's struggles in Serie A and his embrace at Anfield illustrates how drastically circumstances can differ for the same player at different clubs. His captaincy represents a significant show of faith from Liverpool's new management.

Anass Salah-Eddine's future at AS Roma appears increasingly distant following the end of his loan spell at PSV Eindhoven. The left-back has returned to the capital but does not feature in Gian Piero Gasperini's plans; he was excluded from summer pre-season training, and the club is actively working to offload him. Salah-Eddine has reportedly approved a move back to the Dutch Eredivisie, a league he knows well and where he believes he can establish regular first-team football. While no formal offers have yet reached Roma's desk, several Dutch clubs have expressed interest and talks are progressing positively. Real Betis has also emerged as a suitor, conducting an initial enquiry on the 2002-born defender in recent days, though the Spanish side has not yet submitted a concrete proposal. Roma remain ready to listen to offers for a player who falls outside Gasperini's vision. A resolution is expected within the coming weeks as the Giallorossi weigh their options between interested parties in both the Netherlands and Spain.

Roma's transfer window is in full swing following Santiago Castro's arrival. The club has identified Antonio Nusa, the Norwegian winger, as its primary attacking target. The move could accelerate in the coming days after Nusa has reportedly signalled his willingness to join Roma. However, an agreement with Leipzig remains the stumbling block. The German club values Nusa's transfer at over €55 million and has little incentive to sell, particularly after receiving a fee slightly above €100 million from Real Madrid for Diomandé. Heads of recruitment D'Amico and coach Gasperini consider Nusa the ideal profile for Roma's project, given his age and technical qualities. The club had previously pursued Mason Greenwood and Dan Summerville before those avenues closed. Several alternatives are under consideration—including Adingra, Leao, Alajbegovic, and Martinelli—though Luiz Henrique of Zenit and Oscar Bobb of Fulham do not feature in D'Amico's plans.

Roma are on the verge of closing their first official signing under the Friedkin Group's leadership, agreeing a deal with Bologna to bring striker Santiago Castro to the capital. The transfer is worth €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses. The 20-year-old Argentine, who will earn €2.2 million per season, turned down a higher offer from Fiorentina to join Roma's project. He will join the squad for the pre-season training camp in Wales after completing formalities. Castro's arrival directly addresses head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's request for a high-calibre forward to rotate with Donyell Malen throughout the season. The pursuit of alternative targets, including Tresoldi, had stalled due to prohibitive demands from Bruges. The transfer represents a significant offensive reinforcement as Roma reshape their attacking options. Following this deal, sporting director D'Amico must turn attention to other priorities, particularly sourcing elite wingers with Nusa and Moreira identified as main candidates, while also monitoring developments surrounding Manu Koné and contract negotiations with Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is set to sign a new contract with Roma after weeks of negotiations, bringing an end to uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. The midfielder's previous deal expires on 30 June, and the new agreement will run for 2 years with an option for a third year. His salary will decrease from 4 million euros to 2.5 million euros per season, plus performance bonuses. The prolonged wait has not damaged relations between the club and the former captain, who is currently recovering from injury. If his rehabilitation progresses smoothly, Pellegrini is expected to join the squad for the second phase of pre-season training in Wales.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has agreed fresh terms with AS Roma after the club overcame a key sticking point in negotiations. Pellegrini had sought a three-year deal, but Roma offered a two-year contract with an option for a third year—a proposal the midfielder accepted. As part of the agreement, Pellegrini took a significant wage cut, dropping from 4 million plus bonuses to 2.5 million per season. The renewal represents a boost for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of the second phase of Roma's summer training camp. Pellegrini's contract resolution clears the path for the club to focus on other transfer priorities. Santiago Castro is arriving as Roma's first summer signing, while sporting director D'Amico continues to pursue a left-footed right winger. Nusa remains the club's preferred target, though RB Leipzig's asking price of 60 million euros remains a significant obstacle.

Santiago Castro's potential arrival at Roma would place him in a storied line of Argentine forwards who have worn the giallorossi shirt. Arturo Chini Luduena, Roma's first foreign player in history, scored 61 goals in 180 appearances between 1927 and 1934. He was followed by Enrique Guaita, who netted 43 goals in 63 matches before departing alongside compatriots Stagnaro and Scopelli out of fear of conscription into the Italian army for the Ethiopian war. The bond between Roma and Argentina has remained strong, particularly among attackers. Argentine influence shaped Roma's first Scudetto, with Miguel Angel Pantò partnering alongside Amadei and Krieziu. In the all-time top scorers list, "Piedone" Manfredini ranks sixth with 104 goals in 164 games, contributing to the Coppa delle Fiere victory in 1960–61 and Coppa Italia success in 1963–64. Abel Balbo stands eighth with 82 goals in 182 appearances across the 1990s and early 2000s; after departing in 1998, he returned in 2000 alongside Gabriel Omar Batistuta. Batistuta made an immediate impact with 20 goals in a single season, helping Roma claim their third Serie A title, though age and injury limited his effectiveness thereafter. More recent Argentine figures include Caniggia, Perotti, Lamela and Osvaldo. Paulo Dybala arrived in summer 2022 following a contract renewal and has since recorded 139 appearances and 45 goals. If negotiations succeed, Castro will join the Argentine contingent at the club.

Gian Piero Gasperini will reconvene the Roma squad on Wednesday afternoon at the Fulvio Bernardini training ground following a two-day rest period after the friendly against Cannes. The squad has completed a series of summer warm-up fixtures: two joint training sessions with the Primavera, a test with Trastevere, and the friendly with Cannes. Paulo Dybala has impressed during the pre-season programme, scoring a brace against the Primavera, one goal against Trastevere, and two more in the 3–3 draw with Cannes, while working on his understanding with Donyell Malen, who recently returned to Trigoria. Roma will continue their preparation in Wales from 31 July, where they face Cardiff (1 August), Newport (4 August), and Brighton (8 August) in further friendlies before a prestige test against Borussia Dortmund in Germany on 15 August. The Serie A campaign begins on 24 August at the Olimpico against Fiorentina. Dybala, fresh from a contract renewal, enters his fifth season at Roma after sealing Champions League qualification in the final stretch of last season. El Aynaoui is expected to rejoin the squad on 30 July, while Manu Koné remains on holiday and will link up with the group in August subject to the transfer market.

Paulo Dybala illuminated Roma's pre-season friendly against Cannes in France, but the 3–3 draw starkly exposed the club's dependency on the Argentine midfielder. Dybala opened the scoring with a masterful free-kick and produced a string of high-class moments before leaving the pitch; Roma then collapsed completely, conceding three unanswered goals to the newly promoted third-tier hosts and surrendering a late equaliser from a penalty carelessly conceded by Artem Dovbyk in stoppage time. With the transfer window still sluggish, the medical room full, contract renewals stalled, and painful departures including Zeki Çelik's move to Juventus, Dybala has become Roma's essential lifeline—both on the field and as a symbolic figure for the club. His significance was underscored during Roma's centenary celebrations on the night of 21–22 July, when he embraced ten thousand supporters gathered at via degli Uffici del Vicario. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini prioritised keeping Dybala, a decision that protects the club from both technical and emotional impoverishment and confirms the star as the anchor holding the entire project together.

Roma played a pre-season friendly against Cannes, with Paulo Dybala scoring twice and assisting Donyell Malen in the first half to put the Giallorossi 3–0 ahead. Wesley was sent off in the 45th minute for a second yellow card, leaving Roma with ten men for the second half. Cannes staged a comeback with a brace from Lopez and a penalty goal from Oggad, which was caused by Artem Dovbyk. Dybala's strong display underscores his recent contract renewal and his commitment to Roma; his left foot proved decisive throughout the match. Malen responded well to a poor start to pre-season, finishing the chance created by Dybala without hesitation. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the fixture to give younger squad members valuable minutes. Gianluca Mancini, another recent renewal, required medical attention after falling in the 30th minute but returned without issue. Kostas Tsimikas (listed as Ndicka in the ratings) maintained his defensive positioning effectively. The squad will depart for Wales next as part of their pre-season schedule ahead of the competitive campaign. The match provided encouraging signs in terms of Dybala's form and Malen's return to previous standard, though defensive vulnerabilities against a second-half onslaught highlight areas for tactical refinement.

Roma began their 2026–27 pre-season with a goalless draw against Cannes at Stadio Pierre de Coubertin, with kickoff at 17:30. The match marked Gian Piero Gasperini's first outing in charge and the debut of Roma's new home kit for the season. Cannes, also owned by the Friedkin Group, provided the opposition as Roma continue their build-up without all their summer signings and with some players still returning from holiday. Donyell Malen came closest to breaking the deadlock when a cross from Paulo Dybala found him in the box, but his attempted heel flick sailed wide. Later in the first half, Malen was played through on goal and attempted a lob after evading defenders with a dribble, but the effort was deflected wide. Gianluca Mancini made a crucial defensive intervention in the 25th minute, earning applause from the travelling support after an initial knock but continuing the match. Gasperini fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal and a defence of Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Bryan Cristante anchored the midfield alongside new recruit Bah, with Devyne Rensch and Wesley operating as wing-backs. The attacking trio of Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Malen provided the creative spark throughout the first 45 minutes.

Roma played out a goalless draw with Cannes at the Pierre De Coubertin stadium in France on Wednesday as Gian Piero Gasperini's side continued their pre-season preparation. The match served as Roma's third friendly before the team departs for their training camp in Wales. Gianluca Mancini was involved in a collision during the match but play continued. The Giallorossi are maintaining their warm-up schedule ahead of the new season, with the friendly in Cannes representing another step in their conditioning work. Gasperini has been overseeing the team's pre-season programme as they build towards competitive action. The fixture against Les Dragones Rouge provided an opportunity for squad members to gain match fitness without decisive result pressure.