Roma's transfer strategy: dual signings needed alongside Dybala; Summerville assessment

Rio Ferdinand announced on his YouTube channel that Manchester United has reached an agreement to sign Roma midfielder Manu Koné for £45 million (€53 million). Ferdinand, citing confirmation from journalist Fabrizio Romano, described the French midfielder as an excellent fit for Manchester United's 4-2-3-1 system under manager Carrick. Koné has emerged as one of Roma's most sought-after players following his performances at the World Cup. The 24-year-old has attracted interest from multiple clubs, including Chelsea under Xabi Alonso, but Manchester United have positioned themselves as the frontrunners in recent days. The transfer would represent a significant departure from Roma's midfield. Ferdinand stated: "Fabrizio Romano confirmed it to me, Manchester has reached an agreement for Koné and will pay him 45 million pounds (53 million euros). An excellent player for Carrick's 4-2-3-1." The announcement by the former Manchester United defender adds weight to speculation surrounding the midfielder's future at the Giallorossi.

Manu Koné is a target for Manchester United this transfer window, with the English club reportedly prepared to pay £45 million (€53 million) to sign the Roma midfielder. Rio Ferdinand announced the development on his YouTube channel, stating that Manchester has reached an agreement with Koné, though no formal deal has been confirmed by either club. Chelsea has also shown interest in the French midfielder, who could leave Rome as the Giallorossi navigate financial fair play constraints. Koné's potential departure comes as Roma reassess their squad following their qualification for the Champions League. The midfielder was eliminated from the World Cup competition yesterday and now faces a third-place playoff, but his focus has shifted to his future. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini recently acknowledged the club's need to balance playing ambitions with financial realities, saying: "I think that these conditions of financial fair play vary from squad to squad, they are not precise. It is undeniable that Roma knew they had this necessity to balance their accounts. I hoped and continue to hope that arrival in the Champions League is sufficient, but it is clear that accounts are fundamental for clubs and there will be more clarity in the coming weeks." Manchester United have made enquiries to Koné's representatives in recent days, signalling serious interest in the acquisition.

Roma's attacking plans have been disrupted by injury to Robinio Vaz, who will miss at least two weeks. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had hoped to showcase the French forward in early friendlies to attract buyers and move him out on loan, with Bologna having made enquiries. Vaz, signed from Marseille for €25 million, played only 205 minutes across 12 Serie A appearances last season and never started a match. Artem Dovbyk faces a similar plight, having cost nearly €40 million two years ago and now being pushed out for the second consecutive summer. A move to Genoa has failed to gain traction, partly due to his high wages, leaving Roma keen to monetise his departure. As negotiations drag on, a loan deal with a redemption option is gaining ground. With Donyell Malen not returning from holiday until 22 July, Dovbyk will be Gasperini's sole available striker for two early friendlies against the Primavera — one scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and another on Sunday. Gasperini continues to press for a new attacking signing. Tresoldi remains the target as Malen's backup, and the player has agreed personal terms and is ready to join Roma's project. However, Club Bruges has not lowered their €30 million asking price. Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have also entered the race, leaving Roma at risk of losing out entirely. Tresoldi's deal remains independent of Dovbyk's ongoing exit.

Paulo Dybala has shared a heartfelt tribute to AS Roma on social media, posting a carousel of photographs in giallorossi colours set to 'Walking On A Dream' by Empire of the Sun. The images include his 2022 presentation at Colosseo Quadrato, Roma supporters at the Olimpico, and a tender photograph of Dybala with his daughter Gia, both wearing the Roma shirt. The post underscores the strength of Dybala's commitment to the club following his contract extension through 2027. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has consistently expressed his esteem for the forward during discussions about his future at the club, while Roma's fanbase has maintained unwavering support throughout. The bond between Dybala and the club has been reinforced through public statements and social media engagement from all parties.

Lorenzo Pellegrini remains in contract limbo after his previous deal expired, with Roma working to secure their captain on new terms. The midfielder is currently free to negotiate with other clubs, leaving what the club views as a significant gap in the squad during pre-season training. Roma's hierarchy maintains direct communication with Pellegrini's agents, with the core challenge being to narrow the gap over annual salary and agree on the overall length of a new contract. Both player and club share the will to continue together, but a compromise is still needed from both sides to finalise the deal. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made accelerating the negotiations a priority, viewing Pellegrini as an essential tactical pillar and one of the group's charismatic leaders. Gasperini has directly asked Ryan Friedkin to speed up talks to get the Roman midfielder back available as soon as possible. This follows Roma's recent progress on other fronts: Paulo Dybala's contract renewal was formally announced, and Zeki Çelik's extension is in its final bureaucratic stages. The Pellegrini situation remains the most complex file on the board at Trigoria in early July.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract extension remains the most delicate issue on Roma's transfer agenda, with negotiations still deadlocked over salary and duration. The midfielder is currently out of contract, and his absence from the squad during the early days of pre-season training has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Roma maintains constant contact with Pellegrini's representatives as they attempt to bridge the gap between the club's offer and the player's demands on both wages and contract length. Paulo Dybala's renewal was recently confirmed as the first major contract confirmation, while Zeki Çelik's extension is in its final formal stages. Despite clear mutual desire to reach an agreement, both sides still need to make concessions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini considers Pellegrini a key part of his project and has asked owner Ryan Friedkin to accelerate negotiations to resolve the situation as soon as possible, restoring one of the squad's leaders to full status at the outset of the new season.

Roma's attacking plans have been disrupted by injury to Robinio Vaz, who will miss at least two weeks. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had hoped to showcase the French forward in early friendlies to attract buyers and move him out on loan, with Bologna having made enquiries. Vaz, signed from Marseille for €25 million, played only 205 minutes across 12 Serie A appearances last season and never started a match. Artem Dovbyk faces a similar plight, having cost nearly €40 million two years ago and now being pushed out for the second consecutive summer. A move to Genoa has failed to gain traction, partly due to his high wages, leaving Roma keen to monetise his departure. As negotiations drag on, a loan deal with a redemption option is gaining ground. With Donyell Malen not returning from holiday until 22 July, Dovbyk will be Gasperini's sole available striker for two early friendlies against the Primavera — one scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and another on Sunday. Gasperini continues to press for a new attacking signing. Tresoldi remains the target as Malen's backup, and the player has agreed personal terms and is ready to join Roma's project. However, Club Bruges has not lowered their €30 million asking price. Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have also entered the race, leaving Roma at risk of losing out entirely. Tresoldi's deal remains independent of Dovbyk's ongoing exit.

Roma have intensified their pursuit of Dutch forward Summerville, with director D'Amico holding fresh discussions with the player's representatives overnight. The attacker, previously targeted in January, is Gasperini's primary attacking target. An initial approach came a month ago but stalled over wage demands. A meeting with Summerville's agents took place yesterday morning, followed by another conversation between D'Amico and the player's entourage after the France–Spain match. Roma have tabled a package worth €4 million in annual wages for the player and €40 million for his transfer fee, though Summerville is seeking €6 million per year. West Ham are open to selling, while Manchester United have withdrawn from the race. Summerville was already on Roma's radar during the previous transfer window alongside Donyell Malen, though ultimately Robinio Vaz arrived instead. Gasperini has now identified Summerville as his top priority, with Garnacho standing as the alternative option. The Dutch duo could reunite in the capital after the World Cup, as Roma await the forward's response to their latest proposal.

Robinio Vaz will miss at least two weeks of pre-season training after suffering a first-degree medial collateral ligament injury to his right knee during Monday's session at Trigoria. Medical tests confirmed the damage on Tuesday. The French forward, signed from Marseille in January for 25 million euros, has barely featured under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and was set to appear in summer friendlies to boost his market value ahead of a potential departure. Vaz's absence complicates Roma's transfer strategy. Bologna had requested the forward on loan, while striker Artem Dovbyk—targeted by Genoa, Real Betis, and Villarreal—was also due to feature in pre-season showcases. With Donyell Malen's return scheduled for 22 July, Dovbyk will lead the attack in two internal fixtures against the Primavera scheduled for Wednesday and Sunday. The injury-hit squad has only 12 outfield players available as Roma await the return of international players and Lorenzo Pellegrini, who is recovering from a fitness setback before the derby. On Tuesday, under Ryan Friedkin's watch, the team completed their first double session of the season, combining intensive athletic and tactical work ahead of the campaign opener.

AS Roma have completed the terms of contract renewals for defender Gianluca Mancini and midfielder Bryan Cristante, bolstering the club's defensive and midfield core. Mancini will sign a three-year extension, ending speculation linking him with Inter, while Cristante will receive a two-year renewal. Both moves fulfil explicit requests from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who sought to retain his squad's foundation ahead of the domestic season and Champions League competition. The renewals represent a strategic investment in Roma's future. Mancini's three-year deal removes any doubt over his long-term commitment, while Cristante's two-year contract reaffirms his centrality to the technical project. Separately, Zeki Çelik is expected to arrive in the capital on 18 July to sign a three-year contract. By contrast, negotiations with midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini remain stalled, with a significant gap between the player's representatives and the club over contract terms. Further meetings are planned in the coming days to attempt to bridge the divide.

Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante have agreed new Roma contracts. Mancini has extended for three years, ending speculation over a potential move to Inter, while Cristante has committed to a two-year deal. Both renewals were priorities identified by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at the end of the season. The club will build its next campaign around this core group, with Mancini and Cristante forming the foundation of Gasperini's plans. Lorenzo Pellegrini's situation remains unresolved. Negotiations between the midfielder and Roma have hit an impasse, with a gap persisting between the club's offer and Pellegrini's demands. Further talks will be needed to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, Zeki Çelik's contract extension is expected to be announced in the coming days. The Turkish defender will return to the Italian capital on 18 July and sign a three-year contract.

Alberto De Rossi has left AS Roma after more than 30 years of service following the expiry of his contract on 30 June, which the club chose not to renew as part of a restructuring of the youth academy and technical staff by the American ownership. De Rossi's departure marks another significant change in Roma's youth set-up, following the recent exit of Bruno Conti. During 18 years as Primavera coach, he won 3 Serie A youth titles, 2 Coppa Italia youth competitions, and a Supercoppa, developing players including Lorenzo Pellegrini, Alessandro Florenzi, Riccardo Calafiori, and Matteo Politano. He later took on the role of head of development and coach education for national team squads in 2022. A potential next chapter awaits at Ostiamare, the lower-league Roman club owned by his son Daniele De Rossi and recently promoted to Serie C. Alberto could use his extensive management experience at the newly promoted professional outfit, where he may take a position helping to develop the club's structure.