Roma return to Trigoria as El Aynaoui set to rejoin squad

Roma have sold out their complete allocation of 40,000 season tickets for 2026–27 in just 21 days, with the subscription campaign closing on 29 July after launching officially on 8 July at 10:00. The club announced the sold-out status via social media with the message: "Thank you to all the fans, see you at the stadium." Roma's opening match of the season is scheduled for Monday 24 August at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico against Fiorentina, where Gasperini's squad will begin their campaign. The subscription drive unfolded across multiple phases: Phase 1.1 (8–20 July) offered renewal at dedicated pricing for the most loyal supporters who had renewed in 2025–26; Phase 1.2 (20–23 July) catered to first-time subscribers from 2025–26; Phase 1.3 allowed those seeking different seating. After the renewal phase generated approximately 38,000 subscriptions, the waiting list phase launched on Monday, with roughly 25,000 people queuing virtually but only around 2,000 securing tickets. The club stated: "Thank you to all the fans who chose to stand by us. Your support is what makes the Stadio Olimpico unique and accompanies us in every challenge." The 40,000 figure mirrors subscription levels from Roma's championship era around 2000–2001, when 42,000 tickets were sold in 1999–2000, 46,000 in the championship season, and 47,000 in 2001–02. The club had previously capped the maximum at 36,000 and then 40,000, reflecting historical barriers and pandemic impacts on attendance.

Roma's transfer window has shifted into high gear. An official double announcement confirming the exchange of Santiago Castro and Artem Dovbyk with Bologna is expected imminently. Director of football Tony D'Amico is close to securing Konstantinos Koulierakis, the left-footed centre-back from Wolfsburg born in 2003, who has already given his full approval. An agreement with the German club is being finalised for a fee near €15 million. Koulierakis will expand Roma's central defensive options alongside Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Jan Ziółkowski pushing for a departure. In defence and the wide areas, Ivan Fresneda (Sporting Lisbon asking €20 million) and Gabriele Cacciamani, the 19-year-old Torino prospect who impressed on loan at Juve Stabia, remain under consideration at €15 million. In attack, Abde Ezzalzouli has returned to the agenda alongside Jean-Mattéo Bahoya. Real Betis are demanding €45 million, while Roma are targeting a reduction to €35 million. On outgoings, Riccardo Pagano's move to Cesena has been confirmed with a sell-on clause retained by Roma. Anass Salah-Eddine's transfer to Olympiacos for €7.5 million is closing, and Angeliño has joined Deportivo La Coruña on loan with a €3 million purchase option.

Roma are on the verge of signing Greek centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis, with the club's director of sport Tony D'Amico advancing negotiations on two fronts. The player has signalled his willingness to join the Giallorossi, while D'Amico has spent hours negotiating with the German club over bonuses on a fixed fee of €15 million. The signing would continue Roma's tradition of recruiting Greek defenders, following in the footsteps of Traianos Dellas and Kostas Manolas. The deal represents one of several moves the club is pursuing across the pitch this window. The transfer for Antonio Nusa of Leipzig has been ruled out due to prohibitive costs, but Roma remain in talks over Abde Ezzalzouli of Betis (€35 million plus €3 million in bonuses) and Jean-Matteo Bahoya of Eintracht. A more concrete option has emerged in 24-year-old Brentford winger Kevin Schade. At full-back, Roma continue to pursue Spanish left-back Ivan Fresneda of Sporting Lisbona, valued at over €20 million, with the club preparing an offer of €15 million plus bonuses to fill the void after Zeki Çelik.

Roma are pursuing Real Betis winger Ezzalzouli as they continue their search for attacking depth. The Moroccan international recorded ten goals and nine assists in 29 Liga appearances last season. Betis are demanding €45 million, while Roma have tabled an offer of €35 million—a gap that Gian Piero Gasperini's recruitment team believes is not insurmountable. Ezzalzouli, a national team colleague of Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui, has been on Gasperini's radar since last year. Developments could emerge in the coming days as Roma seek to bridge the valuation divide. The club cannot afford to stall in the transfer window following recent activity and remain active across multiple targets. Separately, Roma are also pursuing Nusa, the Norwegian winger and the club's primary left-wing target. RB Leipzig are holding firm at a €60 million asking price and have shown no willingness to lower their demand despite Leipzig's recent sale of Diomande for €100 million. Contact with Nusa's representatives has been positive, but an agreement with the Red Bull group club remains essential. Roma will continue their efforts until Sunday before shifting focus to alternative options.

Roma are pursuing two attacking wingers under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, with sporting director Tony D'Amico planning to sign one before the training camp and another by mid-August. On the day Santiago Castro was officially presented at Termini station and assigned the number 9 shirt—preparing to play before Roma's departure to Wales alongside Neil El Aynaoui—the club has intensified its push in the transfer market. RB Lipsia's €60 million asking price for Antonio Nusa has proved prohibitive, redirecting Roma's focus to Lione's Malick Fofana (valued at €40 million) and Eintracht Francoforte's Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, with Simon Adingra and Kevin among the Premier League options under consideration. A lower-cost alternative being evaluated is Torino's young prospect Gabriele Cacciamani. The squad restructuring extends beyond the offensive flanks. Roma are pursuing Ivan Fresneda as their leading target for the full-back role—Sporting Lisbona demanding €20 million—while Israel Reyes is being considered for central defence. The status of midfielder Manu Koné remains uncertain; if he departs, Roma would pivot to Habib Diarra or Nicolas Raskin as replacements. AC Milan have made a preliminary enquiry about Matías Soulé, though no formal offer has been tabled.

Manu Koné's future at Roma remains uncertain as Manchester United intensifies contact with the midfielder's representatives, though no formal offer has arrived at the club yet. Chelsea and Arsenal are also keen on the 24-year-old, prompting Roma to begin scouting alternatives. Diarra of Sunderland has emerged as a potential successor should Koné depart. The departure of Koné would force Roma into the transfer market to bolster midfield depth. Without him, the squad would rely solely on Cristante, El Aynaoui, and Pisilli in that area. The club has set Koné's valuation at approximately 60 million euros and the Friedkin Group has no intention of accepting below their asking price. With Premier League interest intensifying, Roma's search for an alternative midfielder has begun in earnest. The club's recruitment strategy hinges on whether any interested club meets their valuation for the French midfielder.

Daniele De Rossi, now manager of Genoa, has reflected on his 2024 dismissal as Roma head coach after four matches. Speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio, the former Roma captain and manager said his exit warranted greater dignity. De Rossi expressed frustration at the brevity of his tenure, stating: "I was furious when I was sacked, I was upset. I had my rivals and I felt beaten in a battle I did not fight, because after four matches there was no time to bring the team out. I made a press conference at SPAL and regretted it shortly after. It's not nice to show that you're bitter. My history at Roma was not perfect and linear, but it did not deserve an exit of this kind. I don't find it elegant to air dirty laundry: sometimes you have to defend yourself, but there are proper forums to do so. I should have done it earlier, when I was there." De Rossi acknowledged his analytical approach to his current role with Genoa, explaining his preference for developing young players. He said: "Reading one's own mistakes is the foundation. Once you've been dismissed you can only lick your wounds and analyse your failures. When I started the season at Roma, which lasted very little, I asked why we needed another midfielder when there was Pisilli. It's a bit easier to say it now, but watching the training sessions I had this feeling and I carry this mentality forward even now. I try to get the young players playing to understand how they can improve and above all to understand whether the president needs to buy something or perhaps we can rely on our own." De Rossi also discussed his choice of music when announcing his playing retirement, selecting the Oasis track "Sunday Morning Call". He explained: "Yes, I put a lot of thought into it, I didn't want it to be banal, I wanted it to say something. Sunday Morning Call is one of my favourite songs; football is no longer played on Sundays, but it's a hallmark of our generation."

Manu Koné's future at Roma remains uncertain as Manchester United intensifies contact with the midfielder's representatives, though no formal offer has arrived at the club yet. Chelsea and Arsenal are also keen on the 24-year-old, prompting Roma to begin scouting alternatives. Diarra of Sunderland has emerged as a potential successor should Koné depart. The departure of Koné would force Roma into the transfer market to bolster midfield depth. Without him, the squad would rely solely on Cristante, El Aynaoui, and Pisilli in that area. The club has set Koné's valuation at approximately 60 million euros and the Friedkin Group has no intention of accepting below their asking price. With Premier League interest intensifying, Roma's search for an alternative midfielder has begun in earnest. The club's recruitment strategy hinges on whether any interested club meets their valuation for the French midfielder.

Roma departed for Nice shortly before 10:00 and will reach Cannes by coach for their third pre-season fixture at 17:30 (live on Dazn) against the club owned by the Friedkin Group. Head coach Gasperini will deploy a front three of Dybala, Soulé, and Malen, with midfield reinforcements required due to absences. Pisilli and Vaz are unavailable through injury, while Cherubini misses out with fever. Central midfield will pair the young Bah with Cristante, flanked by Wesley and Rensch, while Svilar starts in goal behind a defensive line of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso. Notably absent is Koné, though Neil El Aynaoui—currently on holiday in Cannes—will attend the match as a spectator before officially rejoining the squad on 30 July to depart for Wales, where the second phase of pre-season training will take place. A second-string lineup and Primavera players will feature in the second half. Roma will return to the capital after the match. Gasperini has granted the squad two days of rest, with no training scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal at AS Roma remains unsigned despite an agreement being reached in principle between the club and his agent Pocetta. The midfielder is set to earn 2.5 million euros plus bonuses over two seasons, with a unilateral option for the club to extend the deal until 2029. However, the signing has been delayed, with Pellegrini's physical condition emerging as a complicating factor. Pellegrini suffered a setback to a right thigh muscular injury in May while attempting to recover in time for the Derby della Capitale. The injury stems from a torn rectus femoris tendon sustained in May 2025, for which he underwent surgery by Dr. Lempainen in Finland. Pellegrini reportedly travelled to Finland for a follow-up examination with the specialist, during which a procedure to clean the old scar tissue was performed. Head coach Gian Piero Gasparini, Bryan Cristante, and Mile Svilar have all publicly expressed hope for a positive resolution. Final approval from the Friedkin Group is awaited before the contract can be completed, with expectations that the signature could arrive in the coming week.

Mile Svilar has reaffirmed his commitment to AS Roma, stating he has no interest in a move to Juventus despite reported interest from the Serie A champions following his performance in a friendly against Cannes. The goalkeeper's declaration comes as Roma awaits official confirmation of Santiago Castro, the club's first summer signing. Artem Dovbyk has departed for Bologna, marking another change in Roma's forward line as the club reshapes its squad during the transfer window. Svilar's public stance underscores Roma's defensive strength and his intention to remain at the Giallorossi despite external interest from rival clubs. Elsewhere, Roma's women's team announced new signings, while the Italian national team continues its rebuild under Mancini and Ranieri.

Matías Soulé has been proposed to AC Milan through intermediaries as Roma reshape their attacking department. The Argentine playboy, whose future at Trigoria remains uncertain amid the club's offensive restyling, could offer a solution for the Rossoneri. The proposal arrives at a critical moment in the summer window, with Roma eager to generate funds and unlock the incoming transfers demanded by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Milan has not yet responded officially to the possibility of opening talks. Roma's primary focus remains the right flank, where Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus on a free transfer has created a significant gap. The club's director of sport Tony D'Amico has identified Ivan Fresneda, a Spanish fullback born in 2004 currently at Sporting Lisbon, as the main target. However, Sporting's valuation of at least 25 million euros complicates negotiations, and Roma are weighing the economic sustainability of a potential deal. Elsewhere, Mile Svilar has ruled out any move away from Roma, telling Corriere dello Sport: "For me there has only ever been Roma, you should know that by now after my renewal. I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans. My heart is here." In a separate development, Claudio Ranieri has been named director and president of Club Italia alongside the return of Roberto Mancini as Italy head coach—a decision they made jointly with federation president Giovanni Malagò.