Roma reject Juventus' €42m plus €8m offer for Mile Svilar

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.

Massimo Margiotta has been appointed Roma's new youth sector director, replacing Bruno Conti in a move spearheaded by sporting director Tony D'Amico. Margiotta arrives from Hellas Verona, where he spent nine years leading their youth setup. His tenure in Verona saw the Primavera side secure promotion to the top youth category at the end of the 2020/21 season and achieve five consecutive consecutive salvations thereafter. The appointment marks a strategic reset for Roma's youth academy following a lean trophy-winning season. Margiotta's mandate extends beyond stabilising the existing youth categories to laying groundwork for an Under 23 side, a long-standing priority for the Friedkin Group ownership. His predecessor Conti's departure was emotional and high-profile, given his status as a club legend. Verona confirmed Margiotta's exit via an official statement, releasing him by mutual agreement after his nine-year spell began in summer 2017. The club noted his role in growing and developing numerous young footballers during his tenure. Margiotta is expected at Trigoria imminently to complete his contract signing.

Juventus have begun their search for a new goalkeeper after deciding to part ways with Michele Di Gregorio, who underperformed last season and lost his starting position to Mattia Perin. The club's first choice was AS Roma's Mile Svilar, but Roma rejected a substantial €42 million offer. Gian Piero Gasperini has no intention of selling his starting keeper, particularly as Roma prepare for their first Champions League appearance in nearly a decade. With Svilar unavailable, Juventus have shifted focus to Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez. Martinez has impressed both for Argentina on World Cup duty and for Villa, where he helped secure a Europa League trophy and a top-four Premier League finish. However, his contract at Villa Park runs until 2029, and the club has set a €15 million price tag on the Argentine goalkeeper. Juventus have already deemed Villa's valuation excessive, considering Martinez will turn 34 in September. Despite his age, the report suggests he could serve as a short-term solution for the Italian club, though details remain unclear on whether negotiations will progress further.

Mile Svilar is preparing for the upcoming season with renewed determination to compete for AS Roma in both domestic and European competitions. The goalkeeper is undergoing intense training sessions as the club prepares for its summer retreat, signaling his readiness to be a key figure for the Giallorossi in the campaign ahead. Svilar's focus on pre-season conditioning reflects Roma's ambitions to challenge for silverware and establish themselves as Champions League contenders. His commitment during this preparatory phase underscores his importance to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's plans for the new season. The club is prioritizing fitness and tactical development as players return for their summer training schedule. Details regarding the specific timing and location of Roma's summer retreat remain unclear, though the club is evidently prioritizing comprehensive preparation ahead of competitive fixtures. Svilar's determination to deliver for Roma highlights the squad's collective mindset as they look to make an impact both domestically and on the European stage.

Roma successfully resisted attempts by rival clubs to acquire key players on June 30th. Juventus approached the club for Mile Svilar, while Inter and Porto both made offers for Niccolò Pisilli. Additionally, Matías Soulé rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, with his agent expressing frustration over how the negotiations were handled. Despite pressure from multiple directions, Roma declined all approaches and maintained their squad. UEFA has granted Roma a one-month extension on the deadline for including player sales in their financial records due to World Cup scheduling, though this grace period does not apply to new acquisitions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his desire to retain Wesley, Evan N'Dicka, and Manu Koné as cornerstones of his squad, and the club hierarchy has prioritized keeping the manager satisfied. Roma intends to argue to UEFA that they can manage financial losses through peripheral transactions if necessary. Failure to meet Financial Fair Play requirements could expose Roma to fines exceeding €10 million and squad restrictions in 2027–28, though harsher penalties are considered unlikely. The club's strategy appears focused on retaining its top-tier players while strengthening the squad around the margins in the coming weeks.