Roma agree Tresoldi deal as Tielemans move halts Koné interest

Paulo Dybala has signed a contract extension with AS Roma through 2027, the club confirmed. The Argentine forward will earn approximately €2 million in base salary plus appearance bonuses under the new terms. Dybala arrived in the capital in summer 2022 and has established himself as a cornerstone of the Roma project both on and off the pitch. In his time at the club, he has made 139 appearances and scored 45 goals, becoming a leader within the squad and a favourite of the supporters. The renewal extends a partnership that has already proven central to Roma's ambitions. The contract extension represents continuity in Roma's attack as the club continues to build around its established talent.

Roma have secured Paulo Dybala to a contract extension through 30 June 2027 on an undisclosed fee with bonus earnings totalling approximately €2.5 million per season. The announcement came on the club's first day back at Trigoria following the winter break. Zeki Çelik's renewal is in the final stages, with his representatives and the club at the document-exchange phase and only his signature required to complete the deal. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains in active negotiation over his own renewal. The gap between the club's offer and his demand stands at approximately €500,000, though both sides are reportedly optimistic about reaching agreement. Pellegrini did not report to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad call as discussions continue. The flurry of contract extensions marks a significant period of retention for the Giallorossi, with multiple key squad members committing to the project. Pellegrini's case will be the final of the three renewals to be formally announced once terms are settled.

Roma are planning their first official offer to the entourage of Erne Engels, the Belgian midfielder, as sporting director D'Amico accelerates the club's transfer activity. The move comes as Gasperini convened the squad at Trigoria for the start of summer training but expressed a desire for greater pace in the market, particularly in attacking wide positions and midfield given the possible departure of Koné following the World Cup. Engels has been tracked by Roma for several weeks, though competition is mounting. Nottingham Forest view him as a replacement for Elliot Anderson, sold to Manchester City for 135 million euros. Tottenham, Atlético Madrid, Villarreal and Fulham are also in contention for the 24-year-old's signature. Beyond Engels, D'Amico is evaluating other midfield targets including Danilo Santos of Botafogo and Camara of Monaco, as the club seeks to strengthen multiple positions ahead of the new season.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has clarified his vision for Donyell Malen's role at Roma, insisting the forward must play centrally rather than out wide. Speaking on Rai Radio 1, Gasperini addressed Malen's recent performances with the Netherlands at the World Cup, where the winger played in a wider position. Gasperini acknowledged that international tournaments often catch players mid-season and that fatigue from a demanding campaign can affect performance levels. He noted that individual form frequently mirrors the fortunes of the national team, and highlighted historical uncertainty about how best to deploy Malen. However, Gasperini was emphatic about his own tactical preferences: "Malen indubitably reflects the performance of the Netherlands. In the past there has always been this doubt about how to use him and to place him wider, but never for me! For me he must play in front of goal." The coach's comments signal a clear strategic intention to maximise Malen's impact by positioning him in a central attacking role at Roma, moving away from the wider deployment he experienced internationally.

Gian Piero Gasperini's second Roma campaign officially begins today, marking the first season built entirely in partnership with new sporting director Tony D'Amico. The squad will arrive at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre around midday for medical examinations, fitness tests, and initial field sessions. Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Çelik are not included in the initial roster. Dybala is expected at today's gathering once his contract renewal is formally announced, while Pellegrini will require a few more days. Çelik's future is fully agreed, though the defender will only join after completing his World Cup commitment. Young academy prospects—Cherubini, Pagano, Reale, and Mannini—will train at Trigoria initially. Other key players including El Aynaoui, Manu Koné, Evan N'Dicka, Donyell Malen, and Salah-Eddine will integrate once their international duties finish. Roma's summer programme runs entirely at Trigoria before the first competitive test on 26 July at Cannes against the Friedkin family-owned French club, kicking off at 17:30 at Stade Pierre de Coubertin. The squad returns to Italy before heading to Wales on 31 July, where Gasperini's staff will oversee high-intensity training through 8 August. Director D'Amico is actively pursuing upgrades to the forward line. Roma's focus centres on two targets: Diego Moreira, a winger owned by Strasbourg (a Chelsea satellite club), and Argentine talent Alejandro Garnacho, reflecting a transfer strategy along the Roma–Chelsea axis.

Roma's January window activity hinges on deals with Premier League clubs both for incoming and outgoing players. The club has made initial contact with Alejandro Garnacho's representatives, with the Chelsea-owned Argentine showing early willingness to join Roma, where he would reunite with fellow national team player Paulo Dybala. Garnacho is currently not training at Chelsea and is effectively separated from the club. Roma must reach an agreement with Chelsea, who value him at €40 million; discussions between the clubs are expected in the coming days, with Roma potentially proposing a loan with obligation to buy. The Friedkin Group is also pursuing information on Moreira, a Chelsea-linked target, having received clearance to proceed after inquiries. Xabi Alonso, Moreira's current manager, is prioritising Chavarria of Rayo Vallecano to strengthen his left flank. On the outgoing front, Manchester United are tracking Manu Koné, who is showcasing his talents at the World Cup, with a valuation of at least €55–60 million demanded. Matías Soulé remains a target for Sunderland and Premier League sides, valued at €30–35 million, having shelved negotiations with Saudi Arabian clubs. Should Koné depart, Roma are monitoring Danilo of Botafogo as a replacement midfielder. In the forward ranks, Tresoldi is the preferred option to serve as backup to Donyell Malen, though Atlético Madrid are also interested.