Pruzzo backs Malen-style signing as Roma's transfer window draws criticism

Manchester United has slowed its pursuit of Roma midfielder Manu Koné after initial intensive monitoring of the 2001-born France international, according to The Telegraph. The delay stems from doubts within the Manchester United hierarchy over whether the player justifies an outlay of at least €60 million. This does not represent a definitive withdrawal from the race, but rather a period of careful reflection on whether Koné represents the right investment for the club. Koné has attracted attention from top European clubs following an impressive World Cup campaign with France. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini considers him a fundamental piece of Roma's midfield setup, yet the club could be open to a sale of the right magnitude to help address financial fair play obligations. Manchester United had been the most attentive suitor to date, but the recent hesitation signals uncertainty about committing such a significant fee to the midfielder's profile.

Manu Koné's future remains uncertain as Roma weigh selling the midfielder against Manchester United's hesitation to commit. The club is prepared to listen to offers for one of Europe's strongest central midfielders, with both Al Ahli and Manchester United showing interest. However, neither club has moved decisively. At Old Trafford, not all senior figures support investing in the French midfielder. According to the Telegraph, perplex­ities exist within the English club over pursuing Koné, and a move worth approximately 60 million euros has not secured unanimous backing from United's hierarchy. Roma is keen to monetise a significant asset to address Financial Fair Play constraints, but concrete bids have been slow to arrive. The delay reflects genuine uncertainty at Manchester United rather than a definitive rejection. The Red Devils continue to monitor Koné as a target, but the club intends to evaluate every aspect of a potential deal before tabling a formal offer. This represents a slowdown in proceedings rather than an outright termination of discussions.

A rejected offer could indirectly benefit Roma's transfer strategy. The club's sporting director D'Amico is prioritising a left winger to reinforce Gasperini's squad, with Nusa as the primary target. El Mala, a German talent born in 2006, had emerged as an alternative option but has declined the move, reportedly setting his sights only on Borussia Dortmund instead. This rejection may open a path to Nusa after all. According to Sky Sport DE, Leipzig have begun eyeing El Mala to strengthen their attacking department. Should the 2006-born player arrive at Leipzig, the German club's transfer strategy could shift, potentially making Nusa available and easing his departure to Roma. However, caution is warranted: Leipzig have not signalled willingness to sell Nusa and continue to view him as an important piece of their squad. Leipzig have also not yet tabled an official offer for El Mala, with only an initial interest registered. Transfer markets thrive on interconnected moves, and the potential link between El Mala and Nusa could prove pivotal for Roma's window.

Roma will take on French club Cannes in their third summer friendly on Sunday, 26 July, kick-off 17:30. The match marks a significant step up in difficulty after Roma's opening two warm-up games, both against lower-league opposition and both finished 6-0. Gasperini's side will face a tougher test against Cannes, who are owned by the Friedkin Group, providing the coach with valuable insights into the work completed during the training camp so far. Cannes represents the first genuine examination of Roma's pre-season preparations. Gasperini will gather important information on squad readiness ahead of the new season. The coach is expected to field a midfield partnership of Cristante and the young player Bah due to limited alternatives in that area. In attack, Malen and Dybala are set to feature, with Dybala already showing excellent form during the build-up. Roma-Cannes will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN. Supporters can watch via the DAZN app on smart TVs, gaming consoles including Xbox and PlayStation, or devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and TIM VISION Box. Live updates will be available on Forzaroma.info and across Roma's social media channels on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Roma's transfer market strategy has drawn criticism from former striker Roberto Pruzzo, who says the club must elevate its ambitions in the coming weeks. Speaking on Radio Radio Mattino, Pruzzo remarked that while any club can spend €50 million on players, supporters expect Roma to land a statement signing comparable to Donyell Malen. He stated: "I expect the club to raise the level, without taking part in auctions that so far have not given it a good showing. The delay on the market risks invalidating Gasperini's work." Gasperini took charge this year and is tasked with rebuilding Roma's credentials after a turbulent period. The criticism reflects frustration that, despite the appointment of a highly regarded coach, the transfer window has been underwhelming so far. Fellow radio pundit Nando Orsi echoed similar sentiments, noting that while head coach Gasperini has not yet made forceful demands in the market and no major exits have occurred under his stewardship, the overall market activity falls short of expectations. Orsi stated: "Gasp is not banging his fists on the table, even though no one has arrived yet. With D'Amico they haven't failed yet, but certainly this situation was not expected. A few other targets could have been picked up. For now, the market is disappointing."

Artem Dovbyk is set to leave AS Roma this window, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having ruled the Ukrainian striker out of his plans. Roma's hierarchy is actively working to find a buyer, seeking a permanent transfer for a fee in excess of 20 million euros. Genoa, Fiorentina and Villareal have all shown interest, though no club has yet made a formal advance. The Kean variable could prove decisive in Dovbyk's future. Como are pushing hard to sign the striker, which would force Fiorentina to hunt for an alternative forward — a scenario in which Dovbyk could become the ideal solution. Fiorentina's sporting director Paratici is reportedly eyeing a loan with a right to buy, whereas Roma insists on an obligation to purchase. Negotiations are ongoing, but Roma's position is clear: Dovbyk will depart. The club awaits the right buyer to complete the move. Gasperini's priority is to bring in a new deputy for Donyell Malen in attack.