Pellegrini signs new Roma contract after rejecting Juventus and Besiktas

Roma radio commentators debated the club's transfer strategy and squad ambitions in the current window. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that in the summer friendlies, Roma have resembled last season's side, and stressed: "In these summer friendlies, we saw the same squad as last year. If a genuinely elite player doesn't arrive—one capable of shifting the balance and adding quality—then Roma remain a repetitive team. The club has several certainties, but creativity is what it is. To try and raise the level of the attacking department, we need a player of that calibre who reshuffles the cards." Elsewhere, commentators weighed the merits of potential signings and departures. Alessandro Vocalelli noted that while Neil El Aynaoui is useful and two-footed, "there is a full category of difference" between him and Manu Koné, describing Koné as possibly Roma's most irreplaceable player—more so even than goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Ugo Trani argued that Romain Fofana's ankle injury has improved and he is much better, though Roma remain cautious and will assess him in person. On other targets, Trani said Nusa would not be uncomfortable joining Roma and Lipsia are willing to sell at their asking price; he also noted that Gian Piero Gasperini had made a personal commitment to appear on a radio show rather than a contractual obligation with Sky, meaning an interview could happen in the coming days. Nando Orsi backed the potential signing of Molina at right-back, calling him a capable player with experience who fits Gasperini's long-held idea of a right-side five, though Orsi acknowledged he may not fundamentally alter the team's balance.

Gian Piero Gasperini cancelled a scheduled Sky Sport interview on the evening of 6 August, the third occasion on which he has declined to speak to media during his time at Roma. The cancellation came after a market meeting at the club's training base at Hensol extended beyond the planned timeframe. CEO Galantic remained at the resort; Ryan Friedkin had left that morning but joined the call remotely alongside director of sport D'Amico, who has been travelling between Milan and Rome to oversee ongoing negotiations. Gasperini is growing impatient over the club's failure to secure a left-sided attacking player, a position the head coach views as critical before the season opens in 17 days. Roma continue to pursue Nusa from RB Leipzig, but the German club's asking price remains around €60 million and they show no willingness to negotiate. The club has also explored Fofana, though his fitness raises concerns. Attempts to discuss Martinelli and Leão have stalled: Martinelli's wage demand of €7 million in sterling is considered prohibitive, and Leão's situation is similarly complicated. The ownership has reaffirmed that its strict salary cap policy will not change. Molina is expected to arrive within days and will join Castro and Koulierakis on the list of new arrivals, but without the left winger the squad remains short of Gasperini's requirements. The meeting left Gasperini unsettled, and he chose silence rather than face media questions. He is unlikely to expect significant late signings and may address the press after Roma's friendly against Brighton, their final pre-season match in England before returning to the capital.

Roma will not sell midfielder Manu Koné for less than €60 million, the club has made clear as the French player returns from post-World Cup leave following Roma's training camp in Wales. Manchester United, the main interested party, has stepped back from pursuing the 2001-born midfielder in recent days. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Manchester United manager Carrick has decided against the move, unconvinced by Koné's profile and instead preferring either a player with proven Premier League experience or one with significant international pedigree, such as Real Madrid's Tchouameni. Koné joined Roma on loan with an obligation to buy for €18 million from Borussia Mönchengladbach in August 2024 and has since become a key figure in the club's midfield. Roma's valuation reflects the midfielder's importance to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as the 2026–27 season approaches. The club's refusal to entertain bids below €60 million signals their determination to keep him at the Stadio Olimpico unless a suitor meets their asking price.

Roma captain Bryan Cristante spoke to Sky Sport from the club's pre-season camp in Wales, ahead of a friendly at Brighton tomorrow that concludes the week's matches overseas. Cristante expressed pride at Roma's return to the Champions League after a prolonged absence. "We've been wanting to play in the Champions, we'd been close a few times, we're proud to play it," he said. "It's important to have the society's presence, which gives an extra gear even in the market; we talk about it daily." Cristante highlighted his desire to face Real Madrid in Europe and revealed that Lorenzo Pellegrini, expected to rejoin the squad soon, remains a key part of the project. "I'd like to play at the Bernabéu in the Champions, it would be nice to play in the new stadium and see Mourinho again," he added. The midfielder also confirmed he and Paulo Dybala had resolved a disagreement that arose during Roma's pre-season match in Cardiff. "We cleared it up straight away, it was a small disagreement that happened on the pitch and ended there," Cristante explained. On domestic ambitions, Cristante acknowledged the Serie A title as Roma's dream objective but cautioned about the campaign's difficulty. "The Scudetto is the dream but it's still early, the league is difficult and very competitive. We want to have a good Champions, we hope to be in the fight in January to try to play for the championship." Cristante also reflected positively on his experiences under Italy manager Mancini, saying the goal is to "be reborn and return to where we belong."

Gian Piero Gasperini requested four players to strengthen Roma's squad for the 2026–27 season, and the club has moved to meet part of that demand. Molina has arrived, and the Lorenzo Pellegrini situation has been resolved. However, Gasperini wants more. With less than twenty days until Roma's competitive return against Fiorentina, the head coach is pushing for immediate action to ensure the team is ready for the campaign ahead. His notable absence from a Sky appearance on the evening before this report fuelled speculation about ongoing negotiations. Transfer director D'Amico, now based in Milan, is prioritising Nusa from Leipzig, who is valued at 60 million euros. The Norwegian has not yet expressed a desire to leave, complicating the pursuit. Fofana stands as an alternative, with Leão further down the list. Roma are also seeking a left-sided winger, with Cacciamani preferred—though Torino's asking price of approximately 20 million euros may force the club to explore other options. The most ambitious target is Endrick from Real Madrid, described as the jewel of the summer window: young, gifted, and destined for stardom, though convincing the Spanish club will require negotiation over the deal's structure. Gasperini awaits his full complement of reinforcements. The clock is ticking as Fiorentina's visit nears, and the Olimpico stands ready—if the squad can be assembled in time.

Radio pundits have weighed in on Roma's transfer activity and squad composition ahead of the new season. Carina told Radio Radio Mattino that Lorenzo Pellegrini's one-year contract renewal was surprising, noting that Gasperini's line had prevailed over the club's initial reluctance to renew either Pellegrini or Paulo Dybala. "I continue to think that Roma still lack a bit of quality," Carina said. "Judgements on the market will ultimately be given based on the profile of the left-sided winger." Pruzzo echoed similar concerns on the same station, observing that recent summer friendlies had shown the same squad as last year. "If a player capable of truly shifting the balance and adding quality doesn't arrive, then it remains a repetitive squad," he said. "Roma has several certainties but the creativity is what it is. To try to raise the level of the attacking department, that type of player who reshuffles the deck is needed." Meanwhile, defender Molina is set to arrive at Roma imminently. Matera reported that the player was in Madrid on 6 August for passport processing and could land in Rome on 7 August, with the aim of having him available at Trigoria on Tuesday when training resumes after the squad's return from Wales. Orsi assessed Molina as a solid acquisition with the experience and characteristics Gasperini has long sought in a right-sided fifth-back role, though cautioned he would not fundamentally reshape the team's balance.