Roma Manager Ranieri Set to Depart; Dybala Eyes Bologna Lineup

Abel Xavier, the Portuguese defender who became one of AS Roma's most notorious transfer failures, has undergone a complete life transformation. Xavier arrived at Roma in 2004 on a pay-per-appearance contract during the club's chaotic five-manager season, but managed only four appearances in a single campaign marked more by his eccentric public image—bleached hair and provocative styling—than his on-pitch performances. Despite earlier career stints at major clubs including Liverpool, Benfica, Everton, and Galatasaray, Xavier struggled to establish himself at the Giallorossi. Today, Xavier has converted to Islam and changed his name to Faisal. In an interview with Portuguese newspaper Caras, he explained: "Potete chiamarmi Abel, Faisal o Abel Faisal Xavier. In sostanza, volevo mantenere lo stesso nome, ma essere riconosciuto da un nome storico nell'Islam, che mi era stato attribuito dal fratello del re degli Emirati, che mi battezzò e che mi rese orgoglioso di scegliere un nome così importante." He attributed his past struggles to being judged by his image and attitude rather than truly understood as a person, describing himself as having "a volcano inside" that eventually had to explode. Since retiring from football in 2009, Xavier has pursued diverse endeavours including humanitarian work with the United Nations, commentary for CNN, and appearances in cinema, including a 2016 Brazilian horror series episode and a 2009 documentary. He later worked as a coach, managing Mozambique's national team after spells in Portugal.

Roma-supporting singer Ultimo held a record-breaking concert at Tor Vergata in Rome, attended by approximately 250,000 people, many of them Giallorossi fans. During the show, fans transformed Ultimo's 2018 single "Ipocondria" into a chant dedicated to Roma midfielders Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné. A banner spotted in the crowd read: "A me va bene anche Cristante, tanto c'ho Manu Koné" (I'm fine with Cristante too, as long as I have Manu Koné), adapting lyrics from the original song into a football-themed version that highlighted the midfielder pairing. The moment reflected the creative way Roma supporters express their connection to the club through popular culture and music. Ultimo, a prominent Roman artist and Giallorossi fan, has long been associated with the club's fanbase. The concert became a spontaneous celebration of Roma's squad, with thousands of fans participating in the reimagined chant. The incident was widely documented on social media, with photographs and videos of the banner and the crowd reaction circulating online.

AS Roma will announce details of its 2025–26 season ticket campaign on Monday, 6 July. The club posted social media hints with hourglass emojis signalling the announcement. The subscription drive will unfold in phases: first for renewals at the same seat, then for seat changes and the 25,000 fans on the waiting list. Roma aims to reach 40,000 season ticket holders, matching last season's target. A separate Champions League season ticket campaign will launch in late July or early August. Meanwhile, images of Roma's new kit for next season have surfaced online from overseas retailers ahead of the official reveal. The collar will feature the text "Con tutte le nostre forze" (With all our strength). Details of the design were already known, but the video confirms the kit is already in circulation in international stores. Transfer speculation continues around potential squad additions, with Pinamonti mentioned as a possible backup option to Malen.

AS Roma is making progress on a contract renewal for Celik, while Paulo Dybala is expected to sign a new deal soon. The club has also officially confirmed another friendly match as part of pre-season preparations. Details on the specific terms and timeline for these developments remain unclear, though the renewal talks appear to be moving forward positively.

Leandro Paredes, the former Roma midfielder, was interviewed by DAZN while competing for Argentina in a World Cup campaign. The interview touched on Paulo Dybala and speculation surrounding a possible move to Boca Juniors. Paredes expressed goodwill toward his former Roma teammate, indicating that regardless of whether Dybala joins Boca, he wishes him the best. Dybala remains a key figure in Roma's current squad. The comments reflect the broader context of player movements during international breaks, though specifics of any transfer discussion remain unclear.

AS Roma is preparing to submit an official offer for English winger Mason Greenwood to Olympique Marseille in the coming days, with the bid expected around Tuesday. The package is reported to be worth approximately €45 million including bonuses, with Roma aiming to move ahead of rival interest from Atlético Madrid. In parallel, Argentine striker Artem Dovbyk is being pursued by Genoa, where former Roma manager Daniele De Rossi now coaches. Roma has shown openness to a loan arrangement for Dovbyk, though his wage demands remain a significant hurdle to any deal materializing. Meanwhile, Roma is also scouting attacking depth. For the role of deputy to Donyell Malen, the club is considering Nicolò Tresoldi from Club Bruges and Andrea Pinamonti from Sassuolo, with Lazio also keen on Pinamonti. Separately, midfielder Leandro Paredes has spoken publicly about Paulo Dybala's future. Paredes said: "For me it would be a pleasure to have him with me at Boca, then he will make his own decisions and surely will have many things on his mind." Dybala's contract status and potential departure remain topics of speculation as the transfer window enters a critical phase.

Stephan El Shaarawy is poised to join Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab on a two-year contract worth 10 million euros per season. The move comes shortly after the winger's wedding to Ludovica Pagani. El Shaarawy's departure represents a significant outflow from Roma's roster as the club navigates the summer transfer window. With El Shaarawy exiting, Roma is reportedly among clubs considering a move for Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié, who is looking to leave Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli and return to European football. Juventus is also mentioned as a potential suitor. Kessié had been earning 14 million euros annually in Saudi Arabia and would accept a substantially reduced salary to rejoin Serie A. The possibility of Kessié's arrival suggests Roma is reshaping its midfield options ahead of the new season. Details regarding the timeline and final terms of negotiations for both players remain unclear.

Sergio Oliveira, the Portuguese midfielder who left Roma, returned to the city to attend the wedding of El Shaarawy and Ludovica Pagani. At the celebration, Oliveira reconnected with former teammates Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, and Gianluca Mancini—players with whom he won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022. Oliveira shared his reflections on social media about his time at Roma, saying: "Roma is special. It has brought me so much. Not only sporting moments but mainly fantastic people. I am very happy to be here on this beautiful day, a truly special moment for my friend Ste. Even though we spent little time together, when you share the same values it becomes easy to understand each other and lend a hand. Thank you to you all and I wish you a life full of happiness." The post underscores the bond formed during the Giallorossi's successful European campaign and the lasting relationships built within the club. The wedding also included attendance from other Roma-connected figures, with details of their presence marking another chapter in the club's recent history of trophy success.

Stephan El Shaarawy married Ludovica Pagani at Villa Aldobrandini near Frascati, with a significant Roma contingent in attendance. Current Roma players Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante, and Lorenzo Pellegrini were among the guests, joined by former Roma midfielder Sergio Oliveira, who was visiting Rome for the occasion. Gollini also attended the celebration. A photograph posted on social media showed Oliveira and Pellegrini together, featuring emoji of a yellow heart, red heart, and the Roma wolf symbol. The reunion held special significance for several attendees. Mancini, Cristante, Oliveira, and Pellegrini all shared a memorable experience in 2022 when they won the UEFA Europa Conference League in Tirana. The wedding brought together members of that historic squad to celebrate El Shaarawy's marriage to the Bergamo-based DJ and influencer. The gathering highlighted the close bonds that persist among Roma's players and former squad members. El Shaarawy, nicknamed "the Pharaoh," has been part of Roma's recent history, and the presence of current players underscored the team's tight-knit culture.