Roma and Çelik reach agreement: defender to sign three-year contract through 2029

Zeki Çelik is poised to sign a new contract with Roma, with an agreement reached between player and club. The Turkish defender will commit on a three-year deal worth just under €3 million per season, with Roma able to benefit from the Decreto Crescita tax incentive. An official announcement is expected in the coming days, though Çelik will not be present at the squad's gathering on 13 July as he receives additional rest following his participation in the World Cup. He is scheduled to return around 20 July. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requested the contract extension, keen to utilise Çelik's positional versatility. The 27-year-old can operate as a midfielder on the flank or as a right-side centre-back, offering tactical flexibility for Roma's system. The renewal represents continuity in the full-back role and reinforces the club's confidence in Çelik as a key squad member under Gasperini's management.

Leandro Paredes has revealed he attempted to persuade Paulo Dybala to join Boca Juniors, speaking after Argentina's comeback victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16 in America. The midfielder confirmed that a move to the Argentine club was among the possibilities under discussion and had crossed Dybala's mind during negotiations. Paredes told reporters in the mixed zone that he had spoken extensively with his compatriot in recent months about the prospect. Dybala, a current Roma player, is in contract renewal talks with the Giallorossi. Paredes said of his teammate: "I spoke a lot with him over these months. It was one of the possibilities on the contract, in his thoughts too. His life is very calm there. So I only wish him the best because he is an exceptional boy." The comments suggest Dybala has chosen to remain in Rome rather than pursue a return to South America at this stage of his career.

Negotiations between Roma and Genoa over Artem Dovbyk have stalled, with the striker unconvinced by the move and hoping to receive alternative offers. Dovbyk, who earns 3.5 million euros per season, is reluctant to commit to Genoa at this stage. Roma's valuation of the forward stands at around 25 million euros, a figure Genoa find difficult to accommodate given their financial constraints. The player's salary alone represents a significant burden for the Rossoblu, adding further complexity to the talks. Betis have also expressed interest in Dovbyk, though the Spanish club has not yet submitted an official bid. The former Girona man faces an uncertain future as his current club seeks a buyer. Roma will begin their pre-season retreat on Monday, with Dovbyk expected to train largely apart from the main group as the situation develops.

Zeki Çelik is poised to sign a new contract with Roma, with an agreement reached between player and club. The Turkish defender will commit on a three-year deal worth just under €3 million per season, with Roma able to benefit from the Decreto Crescita tax incentive. An official announcement is expected in the coming days, though Çelik will not be present at the squad's gathering on 13 July as he receives additional rest following his participation in the World Cup. He is scheduled to return around 20 July. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requested the contract extension, keen to utilise Çelik's positional versatility. The 27-year-old can operate as a midfielder on the flank or as a right-side centre-back, offering tactical flexibility for Roma's system. The renewal represents continuity in the full-back role and reinforces the club's confidence in Çelik as a key squad member under Gasperini's management.

Roman radio hosts have offered contrasting views on Roma's transfer activity and the pursuit of Mason Greenwood. Piero Torri expressed confidence in head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's direction, saying his recent comments have reassured him about the club's market plans. Torri suggested three player renewals could be completed before Monday, though Zeki Çelik's might wait given his World Cup participation. Roberto Pruzzo acknowledged Greenwood's quality but cautioned against being drawn into protracted negotiations, pointing to Roma's January spending of 25 million euros on a player whose role remains unclear. He urged the club to operate with a firm strategy and multiple backup options. Nando Orsi was more critical of the financial terms, questioning whether spending 100 million euros in total wages and transfer fee for Greenwood represents value. Orsi stated: "Can you spend 100 million between transfer fee and salary for Greenwood? Come on… with 100 million I reckon you could find someone like Greenwood anywhere in the world." He noted Gasperini's elevated influence at the club but stressed the need to balance accounts, suggesting the investment was disproportionate to the player's quality given his current status at Marseille.

Mason Greenwood's move to Roma has hit a significant impasse over salary demands. Initially enthusiastic about joining the Giallorossi and having reached an understanding with the club, the English forward's stance hardened after Fenerbahçe tabled a rival offer reportedly worth approximately 7 million euros net per season plus commissions. Greenwood's father and agent have since pushed Roma to increase their wage proposal, but the club remains firm on a ceiling of 4.5 million euros net annually, creating a substantial gap that threatens to derail the transfer. Meanwhile, Roma's hierarchy has progressed swiftly on contract renewals. Extensions for Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala are reportedly close to completion, with only official announcement pending. Lorenzo Pellegrini's renewal remains slightly unresolved, with approximately half a million euros still to be settled, though this is described as a minor obstacle unlikely to prevent final agreement. On the academy front, Roma has confirmed the appointment of Massimo Margiotta as new head of the youth academy following his official departure from Verona.

Paulo Dybala has discussed his arrival at Roma and his experiences with the club in an interview on the Daavo Xeneize YouTube channel. The Argentine forward credited José Mourinho with bringing him to the Giallorossi, saying the manager called him frequently and wanted him to join. Dybala described his first moments at Roma as a surprise: he arrived thinking he would attend a welcome press conference but found between 10,000 and 15,000 people gathered to greet him. "From the moment I left the Argentine players' line-up, I knew I would shoot down the middle," he said of his World Cup final penalty. "I also knew the goalkeeper would throw himself. Obviously you're going to take a penalty in a World Cup final, so it's an enormous moment. But I wasn't thinking about the fact that I could miss or that the country would criticise me. At that moment I was only focused on what I had to do." Dybala praised Mourinho's impact at the club: "Mourinho is a genius. Beyond what he has done in football, with us he always spoke with respect, he protected us and he loved us. At Roma people fell in love with him for what he gave: a title after many years and a Europa League final that, in my opinion, we deserved." He also commented on the performance of his national teammate, saying: "He is doing well at the World Cup, I follow him carefully. He is a good guy, as well as a strong player at Roma. I am happy for him."

Leandro Paredes has revealed he attempted to persuade Paulo Dybala to join Boca Juniors, speaking after Argentina's comeback victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16 in America. The midfielder confirmed that a move to the Argentine club was among the possibilities under discussion and had crossed Dybala's mind during negotiations. Paredes told reporters in the mixed zone that he had spoken extensively with his compatriot in recent months about the prospect. Dybala, a current Roma player, is in contract renewal talks with the Giallorossi. Paredes said of his teammate: "I spoke a lot with him over these months. It was one of the possibilities on the contract, in his thoughts too. His life is very calm there. So I only wish him the best because he is an exceptional boy." The comments suggest Dybala has chosen to remain in Rome rather than pursue a return to South America at this stage of his career.

Leandro Paredes has offered insight into Paulo Dybala's decision to remain at Roma rather than join Boca Juniors. The former Roma midfielder, who was part of Argentina's World Cup squad, revealed he had spoken extensively with Dybala about the move in recent months. Paredes explained that a switch to Boca had been among the options written into Dybala's contract and was something the forward had considered. Ultimately, Dybala chose to stay at the Giallorossi. Paredes praised the decision, noting the stability Dybala has found in Rome. "His life is very tranquil there," Paredes said. "I wish him only the best, because he is an exceptional player." The comments underline Dybala's contentment with his situation at the club despite the temptation of a return to his native Argentina.

Mason Greenwood's move to Roma has hit a significant impasse over salary demands. Initially enthusiastic about joining the Giallorossi and having reached an understanding with the club, the English forward's stance hardened after Fenerbahçe tabled a rival offer reportedly worth approximately 7 million euros net per season plus commissions. Greenwood's father and agent have since pushed Roma to increase their wage proposal, but the club remains firm on a ceiling of 4.5 million euros net annually, creating a substantial gap that threatens to derail the transfer. Meanwhile, Roma's hierarchy has progressed swiftly on contract renewals. Extensions for Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala are reportedly close to completion, with only official announcement pending. Lorenzo Pellegrini's renewal remains slightly unresolved, with approximately half a million euros still to be settled, though this is described as a minor obstacle unlikely to prevent final agreement. On the academy front, Roma has confirmed the appointment of Massimo Margiotta as new head of the youth academy following his official departure from Verona.

AS Roma is close to completing contract renewals for its core squad following the club's return to the Champions League after seven years. Three players — Paulo Dybala, Zeki Çelik, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — are currently out of contract, with agreements already reached with Dybala and Çelik in recent days; both deals are now in the drafting stage. Pellegrini remains the main outstanding issue, with negotiations ongoing and a potential decisive meeting expected as soon as today. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini told Sky Sport: "The players are happy, the club will handle the announcements." The squad must be finalised before Monday, when the team gathers at Trigoria. Pellegrini is seeking a three-year contract to resist approaches from abroad, while Roma is holding out for a two-year deal. Despite the gap, both sides are expected to reach an agreement, possibly with added options as a compromise. The defensive pair Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are also due for renewal; Mancini is likely to sign a new three-year contract to ward off interest from Inter, while Cristante could accept two years. Stephan El Shaarawy was recently released from the club following Verona's final match of the season.

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at Sky Sport's schedule presentation, where he crossed paths with Fabio Capello, Roma's last Serie A title-winning manager. The encounter sparked an exchange between the two, with Capello remarking on Roma's coaching lineage: "After twenty years the story repeats itself: Liedholm, Capello, Gasperini." Gasperini responded by asking if Capello still carried Roma in his heart, affirming the club's enduring pull. Gasperini outlined his ambitions for the season ahead. "After reaching the Champions League, we want to be protagonists once again," he said. The coach acknowledged the influence of the World Cup in drawing attention from players and agents, but stressed that serious transfer activity would intensify once pre-season training began. He confirmed ongoing dialogue with the club's sporting director D'Amico and ownership regarding squad development. On contract renewals for Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Çelik, Gasperini stated: "The club will handle the official announcements, but we are all happy, including the players—it is a matter of days." Reflecting on last season's podium finish, he noted a strong start and consistent proximity to Champions League places, with only a minor dip in February and March before a strong final stretch. He stressed the squad's solid foundation and competitive group, with the goal of improving further to deliver success for Roma and its supporters.