Roma restart with D'Amico as director: Champions League push, contract renewals, and Dortmund test

Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media on Thursday at 14:00 at Roma's Fulvio Bernardini training ground, marking his first public comments since the club entered its second week of 2026–27 preparation. The press conference comes as Roma finalises several squad matters. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal has been officially confirmed, while Zeki Çelik departed to join Juventus. The announcement of Gasperini's media engagement provides clarity for supporters amid the ongoing transfer activity and squad reshaping under the new head coach. Gasperini, who took charge in 2025, has been overseeing Roma's opening training sessions at the club's training facility. The Thursday conference will be held in the centre's press room.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his first press conference as Roma head coach on Saturday 18 July at 14:00 at the Fulvio Bernardini training ground. The briefing comes at the start of the club's pre-season, ahead of a friendly against the Primavera squad on Sunday afternoon, and will offer Gasperini the chance to outline his early impressions from the training camp and the club's ambitions for the new season. Roma qualified for the Champions League at the end of the 2025–26 campaign and have entrusted a fresh technical cycle to Gasperini. The press conference will be streamed live across Roma's official social media channels and via live text coverage on Romanews.eu.

Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media in a press conference at 14:00 tomorrow ahead of Roma's first friendly match against the Primavera squad on Sunday afternoon. The head coach's appearance will mark his second public speaking engagement since the start of the training camp, following an interview with Rai Radio Uno on Monday, his first day in charge. Roma's summer transfer activity has yet to gain momentum, and Gasperini has expressed hope of welcoming at least one new signing in the coming days. The pre-match media engagement offers the coach an opportunity to discuss his plans for the squad and outline expectations as the club prepares for the new season.

Juventus secured Zeki Çelik on a free transfer on Thursday night, swooping in at the last moment to derail Roma's plan to re-sign the Turkish defender after his contract expired. Roma had already reached a complete agreement with Çelik at €3/3.2M per year before he reversed course and opted for a marginally better offer from Juventus instead. Çelik's camp had initially demanded €4M annually. Çelik departs after four seasons at the Eternal City, during which he made 151 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 10 assists. He was particularly influential over the past two years. The departure forces Roma to reshape their plans on the wing, with coach Gian Piero Gasperini having prioritized continuity. The club was already plotting a major attacking signing for that flank and had considered moving Wesley to the right-back position. The unexpected exit compounds those changes. Juventus recently appointed Frederic Massara, Roma's former director, which added an extra dimension to the maneuver. While the Bianconeri benefit from securing a reliable veteran defender on a free deal—particularly valuable given their financial constraints and manager Luciano Spalletti's preference for experienced players—Roma will look to minimize disruption with an offensive upgrade at the position.

Rome's radio stations have analysed Roma's transfer window, with particular focus on midfielder Manu Koné's potential departure. A €53 million fee for Koné was discussed across multiple programmes, with opinions divided on whether the club should sell. Nando Orsi stated: "For 53 million, Koné lo porto a cavacecio: it's a good price", while Alessandro Vocalelli called Koné "the most irreplaceable player at Roma" and said he would not let him leave if possible. Luigi Ferrajolo deemed the €53 million figure "roughly in line with his value" but questioned whether Roma should lose Koné, Svilar, or Wesley instead. Transfer activity elsewhere dominated discussion. Francesco Balzani predicted Moreira would be Roma's first completed signing, with the club having "given the player the right value" and planning a future resale. Summerville remains a target but negotiations have stalled—the player continues to demand over €5 million per season in wages. Piero Torri suggested Moreira and Summerville are not alternatives but complementary signings, with Moreira capable of playing multiple positions. Lorenzo Pes noted that Gasperini wants two attacking wingers and that Moreira's modest wage demand aids negotiations, though Summerville's situation requires further work. Contract extensions were also covered: Bryan Cristante extended his deal by one year, while Gianluca Mancini added two years, though Mancini received a minor salary increase. Pes suggested Gasperini may be avoiding overly long contracts to maintain tactical flexibility.

Roma expect to receive a €53 million offer from Manchester United for midfielder Manu Koné, according to Rio Ferdinand. The club is not denying the likely departure of the French midfielder, who will first play the third-place playoff for England before considering his options with his representatives. Though a move to Paris Saint-Germain remains his preference, a Premier League offer would be difficult to refuse. For Roma, selling Koné is necessary to generate a substantial profit of around €40 million and resolve their UEFA dispute. With difficulties surrounding moves for Matías Soulé and Wesley, and a wall around Radosław Żelezny, Koné represents the only realistic path to that figure. Roma's coaching staff is already compiling replacement options. Celtic's Engels, 22, stands out as a primary target. At 1.85 metres tall with excellent technical ability, he offers significant dynamism, game vision, and strong insertion runs. His cost is estimated at €20–25 million. Danilo Santos of Botafogo is valued at €30–35 million and shares more tactical similarities with Koné—standing 177 cm and weighing 70 kg, he compensates for a lean frame with ball-recovery abilities, smart distribution, and clean passing. Other names under consideration include Camara of Monaco, priced at €40 million after a strong Ligue 1 campaign, and Varela of Porto. Both represent higher investment priorities for other areas of the pitch at present.

Gianluca Mancini is on the verge of signing a contract extension that will bind him to Roma until 2029, with only official confirmation outstanding. The defender has already signalled his intention to stay by posting a message on social media featuring himself, the Curva Sud, and nothing else—a deliberate statement of his bond with the club's supporters who have made him one of their symbols. Mancini is preparing for his eighth season in a Roma shirt, a campaign he views as special given the club's return to the Champions League. He intends to play a leading role in that European run, anchoring the defence alongside Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The renewal underscores his desire to remain at the Stadio Olimpico despite interest from other suitors, cementing a relationship that has grown far beyond the pitch.

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 will address the media on Thursday at 14:00 at Roma's Fulvio Bernardini training ground, marking his first public comments since the club entered its second week of 2026–27 preparation. The press conference comes as Roma finalises several squad matters. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal has been officially confirmed, while Zeki Çelik departed to join Juventus. The announcement of Gasperini's media engagement provides clarity for supporters amid the ongoing transfer activity and squad reshaping under the new head coach. Gasperini, who took charge in 2025, has been overseeing Roma's opening training sessions at the club's training facility. The Thursday conference will be held in the centre's press room.

Matías Soulé's future at Roma is unresolved as the winger trains at Trigoria ahead of Sunday's first friendly, with no concrete offers yet on the table. Sunderland, Fulham, and Bournemouth have all made enquiries, while Borussia Dortmund has conducted only exploratory discussions, but none have matched Roma's €40 million asking price, which clubs regard as excessive. Soulé declared on his return to the capital: "I don't know if I'll stay." His agent returned from England without a concrete proposal. Roma's financial need to sell has not persuaded any club to meet the valuation. Only Saudi Arabian teams could satisfy the Friedkin Group's demands, but Soulé has reaffirmed to his entourage that he has no desire to play in Saudi Arabia—a position he has maintained since late June. The club is actively searching for a winger, with Summerville a target, though he plays on the opposite flank. On the right wing, Dybala and Matías Soulé are Roma's current options, meaning any new arrival would further limit Soulé's playing time.

Roma are pursuing multiple attacking targets as they prepare for the new season, with Nusa and Summerville among the club's primary objectives. Garnacho is also on the radar, though lower in the club's priority list. On the pitch, two Roma players were celebrating international success: Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé marked Argentina's victory at Trigoria, where they train with the giallorossi. The club continues to balance preparation work for the upcoming campaign alongside the transfer business needed to strengthen the squad. Roma's transfer strategy reflects ambitions to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season, with the recruitment team actively evaluating available targets across Europe.