Roma must balance finances and recruitment after Champions League qualification

Robinio Vaz has suffered a knee injury to his collateral ligament during Roma's pre-season training at Trigoria, ruling the French striker out for several weeks. The 19-year-old, signed from Marseille in January for 25 million euros, will now miss a period of rehabilitation as Gian Piero Gasperini's squad prepares for the 2026–27 season. Vaz arrived at the Stadio Olimpico midway through the 2025–26 campaign and made 14 appearances across Serie A and the Europa League, recording 1 goal and 2 assists. His injury comes at a delicate moment in his Roma career, with his future still undecided between a potential loan move and remaining in the giallorossi colours. The setback is likely to complicate any plans for his departure, as clubs will be reluctant to pursue a player currently recovering from a significant knee problem. The injury marks the first casualty of Roma's new season as preparations intensify under Gasperini's direction. Vaz's absence will force the coaching staff to adjust their attacking options during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Alberto De Rossi has left AS Roma as the club continues its youth academy reorganisation. De Rossi's contract expired on 30 June and Roma made no approach to discuss a renewal. He departs after years leading the Primavera team, where he won three league titles, two Coppa Italia trophies and two Supercoppa wins, and later served as head of coach development across the national youth squads. De Rossi's exit follows the earlier departures of Federico Guidi and Bruno Conti as part of the overhaul, which has also seen the arrivals of Margiotta and Scala. Over his tenure, De Rossi developed numerous players who went on to professional success, including Florenzi (Italian champion with AC Milan), Frattesi (Italian champion with Inter), Pellegrini, Romagnoli, Zalewski, Bove, Caprari, Okaka and Calafiori (English champion with Arsenal). Matteo Politano and Matteo Aquilani also came through his academy system, with Politano winning two Serie A titles at Napoli. Volpato earned three World Cup appearances. De Rossi may join his son Daniele at Ostiamare, bringing to a close a significant chapter in Roma's youth development marked by consistent success in nurturing young talent.

The formal administrative process for AS Roma's new stadium at Pietralata is set to begin. The Services Conference for the Giallorossi facility has been officially convened for Monday 27 July at 10:00 at the Parliamentino of the Higher Council for Public Works at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, via Nomentana in Rome. Regional, city, and government representatives from Lazio, Rome Capital, the Metropolitan City, and the ministries of Culture, Interior, Economy and Finance, and Infrastructure and Transport will attend. The conference's principal task is to examine in detail the Technical and Economic Feasibility Project (PFTE) submitted by Roma on 18 May. The goal is to issue the "single authorisation decree", the administrative act required to finally open construction. Extraordinary Commissioner Massimo Sessa will convene and chair the meeting under an ordinance issued on 15 June. This measure is designed to accelerate the bureaucratic process and reduce waiting times to grant final approval for the project.

Roma started serious preparation for the 2026–27 season on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming a 17-man squad for initial training at Trigoria. Paulo Dybala featured in the group and marked his contract renewal with a short interview on Roma's official channels. Wesley returned to training immediately following the injury that forced him to miss the World Cup, training alongside teammates in the new kit that showcases the restored classic crest. Gasperini was accompanied by sporting director Tony D'Amico. The initial squad includes four goalkeepers—Svilar, Gollini, De Marzi, and Vasquez—and seven defenders: Angeliño, Ghilardi, Hermoso, Mancini, Rensch, Wesley, and Ziolkowski. Çelik will join on 18 August after completing his holiday following his contract renewal, while N'Dicka is due to arrive on 22 August. Only Pisilli and Cristante are currently available in midfield, with El Aynaoui expected on 30 August and Koné's arrival date to be confirmed pending the end of the World Cup. The attacking line features Dybala, Dovbyk, Soulé, and Vaz, with Dybala the only forward certain to remain at the club long-term. The squad is staying overnight at Fulvio Bernardini training centre and will undergo a double session today—training at 08:00 and 18:00. Roma have also opened ticket sales for their first official pre-season match at Cannes on 26 July at Pierre de Coubertin stadium, with visiting supporters' tickets priced at €15 each through AS Cannes' official website.

AS Roma opened summer training at Trigoria on Monday with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his squad, with dozens of supporters present to greet the team. Players reported around 12:00 and completed their first session at 18:00. Notably absent from the squad call were World Cup representatives Koné (still in competition), N'Dicka, El Aynaoui, Malen, and Çelik—who is close to renewing his contract—as well as Pellegrini, sidelined by injury but nearing a contract extension. Paulo Dybala's renewal has been officially confirmed through 30 June 2027. The forward said: "This story continues, as everyone wanted—the club, me, and the fans. I'm happy to play another season here, another year in this city. Being able to defend Roma's shirt is a privilege for me. Roma means many things to me: honour, responsibility, beauty. There are also many personal reasons that brought me to be here today. When the music we've all been waiting for plays—the Champions League—we'll look at each other, us on the pitch and you in the stands, and we'll be proud of what we're doing." Gasperini told Rai Radio Uno the Friedkins will arrive in the coming hours and stressed the importance of their presence. "From today there will be important accelerations. We hope to do good business in the market and give answers to the enthusiasm of a city that has already made many subscriptions," he said. Pellegrini is set to sign until 2028 with a 2029 option, earning €2.5 million per season plus bonuses; the deal is in final stages before signature.

Gian Piero Gasperini has announced his initial squad of 17 players for Roma's pre-season training camp at Trigoria as the 2026–27 season officially begins. The Giallorossi are preparing for the new Serie A campaign and a return to Champions League football. Several key players are absent from the initial group. Zeki Çelik is unavailable after his contract expired on 30 June; the Turkish defender is completing his break following the World Cup with his national team, though a contract renewal remains under discussion. Lorenzo Pellegrini is similarly without a deal at present. A staggered return has been arranged for other recent internationals: Evan N'Dicka and Donyell Malen, both recently eliminated from the World Cup, will join the squad later, as will El Aynaoui. Manu Koné's arrival date is yet to be confirmed as he continues with France at the World Cup. Several players returning from loan spells will also train with the first team while their future transfers are resolved. For all involved, the pre-season retreat represents an opportunity to impress Gasperini and stake their claim for the campaign ahead.

Roma returned to action following a visit from around a hundred supporters at Piazzale Dino Viola, with high spirits evident among the squad. Players including Wesley, Gianluca Mancini, Matías Soulé and Jan Ziółkowski shared their excitement across social media, reflecting the positive mood surrounding the club's preparations. The gathering demonstrated strong engagement between the Roma fanbase and the playing staff during the training camp at Trigoria. The visible enthusiasm from the giallorossi players underscored the club's momentum as preparation continues.

Roma's 2026–27 season got underway at the Trigoria training ground as players arrived for pre-season, drawing around 100 supporters to Piazzale Dino Viola on a hot summer day with temperatures reaching 34 degrees in the afternoon. The first arrivals included Ghilardi, Angeliño, and Soulé, with supporters greeting the squad enthusiastically throughout the morning. Coach Gasperini arrived without signing autographs or posing for photos but opened his car window to acknowledge the fans. Pisilli drew particular acclaim from the gathering, while Wesley, described as one of the squad's brightest stars, spent time engaging with the crowd despite the heavy gathering around his vehicle. Other squad members including Gollini, Mancini, Dovbyk, Svilar, Hermoso, Vaz, Rensch, Ziółkowski, and Cristante all passed through during the session. Some players, including Dybala, Kumbulla, Mannini, Reale, and Pagano, arrived discreetly. One supporter praised Dybala's commitment, saying: "He gave proof of a great gesture of love towards the city and fans, accepting the salary reduction." The atmosphere captured the renewed optimism surrounding the club as preparation for the new campaign began.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified a centre-back as a priority addition to Roma's squad, according to his list of targets presented to ownership. The search is not limited to attacking reinforcements; Gasperini wants an experienced central defender aged 28 or above to serve as a deputy to Mario Hermoso, giving the Spanish defender rest when needed. He has ruled out pursuing young prospects requiring development, such as Jan Ziółkowski, in favour of an established player. Roma enquired about Leo Ostigard in recent weeks, though the Norwegian would only arrive if Evan N'Dicka departs the club—a scenario ruled out with N'Dicka currently viewed as non-transferable. The defensive overhaul is not urgent, with attacking reinforcements taking priority in the coming window. However, the backline will be reinforced before the season progresses further.