Roma explore double swoop on Chelsea and Strasbourg talent

Artem Dovbyk is preparing to leave Roma after two seasons, with Ajax now among the clubs interested in signing the 29-year-old Ukrainian forward. Roma paid €30.5 million plus €5.5 million in bonuses to acquire him in 2024 after he won La Liga's Golden Boot at Girona in 2023–24, but he has failed to adapt to Serie A. Last season he made just 14 league appearances and scored three goals, falling out of favour with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. With Donyell Malen now signed permanently and Roma pursuing high-profile targets including Diego Moreira and Alejandro Garnacho, the club must raise funds through player sales. Roma have set Dovbyk's asking price at €23 million and appear reluctant to negotiate. Ajax could provide him with regular first-team football, though whether they will meet the valuation is uncertain. Meanwhile, Daniele De Rossi is reportedly keen to bring Dovbyk to Genoa, though that move would likely require Roma to lower their demands significantly.

Mario Balotelli has named AS Roma among the contenders for next season's Serie A title, alongside Napoli and Inter. Speaking to Sportmediaset, the former Milan striker said: "Napoli and Inter are the favourites, but I want to add a surprise: Roma will also fight for the Scudetto." Balotelli, now based in Saudi Arabia, predicted that Gian Piero Gasperini's side will be in the mix for the championship despite not being among the usual elite. Roma have not yet completed any significant transfer business ahead of their squad gathering tomorrow. The pursuit of Greenwood has fallen away, while the club continues to work on signing a backup to Malen, with Tresoldi identified as a target, and also Garnacho. The Giallorossi are preparing to restart their season following a challenging campaign. Balotelli's endorsement represents external confidence in Roma's prospects, though the club's transfer activity will be crucial to whether they can genuinely mount a title challenge.

Remo Freuler, the Swiss midfielder who left Bologna at the end of June, is now available as a free agent and has emerged as a transfer target for Roma. Sporting director D'Amico and head coach Gasperini are actively seeking additions to strengthen the squad's technical quality, with Freuler—a trusted ally of Gasperini from their time at Atalanta—high on their list of potential signings. Freuler's availability comes at a pivotal moment for Roma's summer recruitment drive. The 31-year-old was linked with a move to Roma after his contract with Bologna expired on 30 June, and now finds himself exploring his options after competing for his national team in the World Cup. The midfielder has indicated that his future remains open, having just been eliminated from the tournament. When asked about a possible return to Serie A, Freuler told DAZN: "If you'll see me in Serie A again? I don't know yet, but now that the World Cup is finished I have to decide my future." Roma's interest underscores their ambition to add experience and quality to their midfield this summer.