Pellegrini's crucial summer: contract renewal, central role, and Roma's centenary year

Manchester United have slowed their pursuit of Roma midfielder Manu Koné and are now actively exploring two alternative targets to strengthen their midfield. Koné, currently on World Cup duty with France, is scheduled to play on Saturday, 8 July at 23:00 against England in the third and fourth place match. The 23-year-old has impressed at the tournament and caught the attention of several English clubs including United and Chelsea. United's interest in Koné intensified in recent days, with former Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand publicly commenting on a potential deal between Roma and the club — a report that was denied within hours. However, United are now looking beyond the Roma midfielder. According to TeamTalk, following the signings of Tielemans and Santos, the Red Devils are also tracking Sander Berge of Fulham and Nicolas Raskin of Rangers as concrete alternatives to Koné for their midfield reinforcement. Roma remain alert and will wait for an official offer before entering negotiations. The Giallorossi will not accept a discount: they are demanding at least €50 million to allow their French midfielder to leave.

Zeki Çelik completed his move to Juventus on a three-year contract worth 4 million euros per season (including bonuses) after undergoing medical tests, marking the latest in a painful succession of Roma departures to their Serie A rivals. The Turkish right-back leaves after four seasons and 151 appearances, during which he scored two goals. His exit was particularly difficult for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who was already expecting him at Trigoria. The Roma-Juventus transfer axis has been a recurring wound in the club's history. In summer 1970, under president Alvaro Marchini, three key players departed simultaneously: defender Luciano Spinosi, midfielder Fabio Capello, and forward Fausto Landini. The bleeding continued through the decades with goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, forward Daniel Fonseca (1997), and others following suit. The most traumatic period came in summer 2004, immediately after Roma's title challenge under Fabio Capello: Juventus acquired French defender Jonathan Zebina on a free transfer and Brazilian midfielder Emerson for approximately 28 million euros, the latter's departure accompanied by jeers at the Olimpico. More recent transfers have compounded Roma's pain. Midfielder Miralem Pjanic departed in 2016 after Juventus triggered his 32-million-euro release clause. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who spent two seasons on loan at Roma from Arsenal, joined Juventus permanently. In January 2012, centre-forward Marco Borriello moved to Turin on loan and scored a decisive goal in their title-winning campaign.

AS Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico has accelerated negotiations to sign West Ham winger Summerville, with the Dutch player agreeing in principle to the move. After weeks of stalled talks, the deal has gained momentum in recent days, with the main stumbling block—Summerville's wage demands of €6 million against Roma's initial offer of €4 million plus bonuses—now resolved. The player has given his approval to join Roma, and the economic agreement is within touching distance, with only minor details remaining to be ironed out. D'Amico is prepared to present an official offer to West Ham worth approximately €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses. Roma is keen to complete the signing as their first piece of transfer business, having seemingly fended off Premier League competition for the player. West Ham's contract contains a clause that has prevented the English club from setting an asking price of €50 million, suggesting that a bid of €40 million plus €5 million in add-ons could seal the agreement.

Gianluca Mancini has signalled his total commitment to Roma by announcing an imminent contract renewal extending his deal until June 2029. The vice-captain's statement came via Instagram in the aftermath of Zeki Çelik's shock departure to Juventus, aimed at reassuring the club and supporters during a turbulent period in the transfer market. Mancini's decision to publicly reaffirm his loyalty carries particular weight as a show of leadership from within the dressing room. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had been pushing for the extension since the end of last season. The move shuts down weeks of speculation from Inter, who had made multiple enquiries about a potential transfer to Milan. Both Mancini and Roma's hierarchy resisted those overtures, choosing instead to build continuity around the defender. The renewal also arrives amid wider market concerns at the club, including reports linking Lorenzo Pellegrini with interest from other quarters. By securing Mancini for another three years on a consolidated contract, Roma has anchored one of its senior defensive pillars and sought to project stability to supporters rattled by Çelik's departure. The timing of Mancini's public commitment underscores his role as a senior figure willing to stake his future on the project.

Roma radio pundits Roberto Pruzzo and Riccardo Orsi have weighed in on the club's recent departures, with contrasting takes on the state of the squad and coaching responsibility. Pruzzo told Radio Radio that Çelik has always conducted himself professionally, noting that modern football has changed the dynamic between players and their clubs. "The football of today is like this. There is no longer that attachment of the past," Pruzzo said, crediting the defender with maintaining his standards throughout his time at Roma. Orsi, also speaking on Radio Radio, framed Çelik's departure differently, suggesting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and technical director D'Amico bore responsibility for failing to retain the Turkish defender. "Çelik is also a defeat for Gasperini. Roma was not able to keep him. You can see he was not that interested," Orsi said. "Gasp and D'Amico did not have the strength to make the contract for the Turk." Orsi also raised the possibility that captain Lorenzo Pellegrini could follow a similar path, suggesting that a move to Juventus would represent a successful coup for the Serie A champions.

Juventus has made an official contract offer to Lorenzo Pellegrini as the Roma midfielder weighs his future, with the Turin club demanding a response by evening. The approach comes days after Juventus completed a transfer for Zeki Çelik, a move that has infuriated coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who had personally worked to convince the Turkish defender to renew his Roma contract. Çelik was expected in Rome for medical checks before the unexpected transfer to Juventus. The situation has created fresh anxiety at Trigoria. Juventus director Ricky Massara has leveraged his personal relationship with Pellegrini from their time together at Roma to push the midfielder towards a switch. Pellegrini is understood to be examining the proposal with serious consideration, though he continues to give preference to remaining at Roma under Gasperini, pending the club's willingness to close the financial gap and retain him. The midfielder now faces a critical decision between the competing offers on the table.

Roma are pursuing multiple attacking targets as they prepare for the new season, with Nusa and Summerville among the club's primary objectives. Garnacho is also on the radar, though lower in the club's priority list. On the pitch, two Roma players were celebrating international success: Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé marked Argentina's victory at Trigoria, where they train with the giallorossi. The club continues to balance preparation work for the upcoming campaign alongside the transfer business needed to strengthen the squad. Roma's transfer strategy reflects ambitions to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season, with the recruitment team actively evaluating available targets across Europe.

Roma are preparing a €45 million offer for Crysencio Summerville, the Dutch winger from West Ham. Sporting director D'Amico has tabled the bid after the player's agents met Roma's board in Italy in the past 48 hours. The club aims to complete the deal by the start of next week and beat rival competition. Zeki Çelik has left Roma to join Juventus despite a verbal agreement over a contract renewal with the Giallorossi. The Turkish fullback's deal with Roma expired on 30 June and has now completed medical tests at Juventus's J Medical facility in Turin. Roma are now targeting Olympique Marseille's Quinten Timber as midfield cover, with early contact already established. The 2001-born Dutchman shares a close bond with Roma's Donyell Malen through their shared youth and senior international paths. Besiktas are also in the running. Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal is moving closer to completion following a productive meeting yesterday between sporting director Tony D'Amico and the player's agent Giampiero Pocetta. Roma have already secured renewals for Çelik, Paulo Dybala, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante. Dybala's extension to 2027, confirmed three days ago, includes a €2.2 million annual base salary plus €100,000 per starting appearance (45+ minutes) up to €2 million, rising to €150,000 from the 21st appearance. Substitute appearances worth 20+ minutes earn €75,000 per match (capped at 20 games), then €100,000 thereafter. Bonus blocks of five combined goals and assists start at €100,000, reaching €1 million for 30 contributions. Team objectives including trophy wins or Champions League qualification trigger additional payments.

Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé marked Argentina's World Cup final qualification with celebrations at Roma's Trigoria training ground. The pair, both Roma players currently preparing for the new season, shared a video on Instagram showing them dancing in the dressing room to music ahead of a training session, as Argentina completed a 2–1 comeback victory over England courtesy of goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez. Dybala, who wears Roma's number 18, and Soulé were among the Argentina squad members present at Trigoria during the international break to begin their preparation for the campaign ahead. The celebratory footage captured the mood of the Albiceleste contingent following their unexpected comeback in the knockout tie.