Roma step up pre-season intensity with Primavera joint session as Gasperini continues preparations

Zeki Çelik has completed a transfer to Juventus on a contract until 30 June 2029, with accessory costs of one million euros, ending a period in which Roma was preparing to formalize his renewal. The Turkish defender underwent medical examinations with Juventus in secret while renewal discussions with Roma were described as nearly complete; Roma had even arranged a flight for him to travel to the capital and join squad training the following day. Juventus announced the signing on their official website yesterday evening. Çelik posted a farewell message on social media thanking the Roma family and listing those who shaped his time at the club. He specifically acknowledged José Mourinho for giving him the opportunity to wear the shirt, as well as Daniele De Rossi, Ivan Jurić, and Claudio Ranieri. He also extended particular gratitude to Gian Piero Gasperini, writing: "Even though we worked together for a short time, the trust, sincerity and respect you showed me meant so much. I will always be grateful to you. Now it's time to start a new chapter of my career. But I will always carry this club, this city and all of you in my heart." The move carries an ironic undertone: weeks earlier, when Roma's then-director Massara was still at the club, he was reportedly unconvinced about renewing Çelik's contract despite Gasperini's request. Massara has since joined Juventus, where photos have now circulated of him posing with Çelik in the Juventus shirt.

Juventus have secured Zeki Çelik on a free transfer, capitalising on a breakdown in contract talks between the Turkish defender and Roma. Çelik became available on 30 June after his contract with Roma expired, and while renewal negotiations appeared close, Juventus moved swiftly to conclude a deal. Giovanni Carnevali and former Roma sporting director Ricky Massara orchestrated the move, offering Çelik a three-year contract worth €3 million per season. Çelik completed medical tests and signed in the evening, departing without a transfer fee. Roma's failure to agree terms on a contract extension represents a significant setback in the transfer market. The club had appeared confident of retaining the 28-year-old, who provides tactical flexibility across multiple defensive positions. Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti values Çelik's defensive versatility highly: the right-back can operate as a natural fullback in a four-man defence, as a wide midfielder across the pitch, or as a right-sided centre-back in a three-man setup. Juventus gain an experienced international defender with proven reliability without paying a transfer fee.

Roma are intensifying negotiations with Summerville's representatives in a bid to bring the Dutch winger to the club. Working through a trusted intermediary, the Giallorossi are attempting to reduce Summerville's initial salary demands of €6 million per year, with Roma's ceiling set at €4 million net plus bonuses. The player's agent is taking time to explore other options, including enquiries from Manchester United and Aston Villa, who have shown interest in the 2001-born winger in recent months. Trigoria have set a deadline for the Summerville negotiations and are determined to avoid a repeat of the Mason Greenwood situation, preparing alternative targets if the winger deal does not materialise. Parallel to this pursuit, Roma have made greater progress with Moreira, reaching an agreement in principle at €2.5 million per year on a structured deal. The stumbling block with the Strasbourg defender remains the valuation gap: the French club is demanding €45–50 million, while Roma are offering €30 million plus performance bonuses and a sell-on percentage.

Artem Dovbyk marked Roma's opening week of summer training with the season's first goal, a well-taken header in a one-hour friendly against the Primavera squad on Thursday. The match, played without an official referee, took place at the Trigoria training ground and was attended by director of football D'Amico and youth academy chief Margiotta. The squad spent the night at the training centre and will face Trastevere in a test match on 23 August. Roma's preparation schedule has intensified under the summer heat. Players trained at 8 a.m. on Friday before a gymnasium session at 10.30 and an afternoon training block. The friendly against Trastevere will provide a sharper examination of Gian Piero Gasperini's side ahead of the competitive season. The fixture comes after an initial week focused on building fitness and cohesion following the arrival of the new head coach.

Roma are accelerating their transfer activity under head coach Gasperini and ownership, working to close multiple deals swiftly. The club has already moved to block Tresoldi ahead of interest from Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, with negotiations with Bruges advancing. The operation is separate from the expected departure of Artem Dovbyk, though both require rapid progress in talks. Director of football Tony D'Amico is pursuing several parallel targets. For Crysencio Summerville, the main barrier remains his wage demands, which Roma consider unsustainably high and a threat to squad harmony. In the case of Diego Moreira, personal terms have been agreed with the player, but Roma and Strasbourg remain far apart on the transfer fee, with the French club holding firm on its valuation. The club is also keeping alive interest in Endrick as a longer-term prospect. No official signings have been confirmed in the first half of July, but the hierarchy is determined to avoid dragging negotiations into a prolonged deadlock or inviting rival clubs to muscle in on targets. All three priority acquisitions—Tresoldi, Summerville, and Moreira—are being pursued with a view to closing them rapidly.

Roma continue negotiations for Summerville, the Dutch winger currently their top target for the attack, although a significant gap remains between the club's valuation and both West Ham's asking price and the player's wage demands. Talks with Summerville's representatives are ongoing, with Roma having defined the financial parameters of what they can offer. Clarity on the situation is expected in the coming days, particularly once Summerville returns to West Ham's disposal on 22 July. With Summerville's acquisition uncertain, Roma have identified alternatives. Nusa, a Norwegian left winger who plays on his right foot, has emerged as a potential option, though securing him from RB Leipzig would prove difficult. The 1.83cm-tall forward—quick yet structurally powerful—was previously coveted by former managers De Rossi and Ranieri, as well as current coach Gasperini. Roma have reached an agreement with Nusa's representatives worth 3.5 million euros plus bonuses, but negotiations with Leipzig remain ongoing; the German club's valuation sits around 45 million euros. Garnacho presents another possibility but only on a loan deal with a right to buy, whereas Chelsea currently demand an obligation to purchase. Beyond widemen, Roma are also hunting a striker to rotate with their existing options. Tresoldi of Bruges has been identified as the ideal fit, with the club working to secure the agreement once Dovbyk's departure is finalised.

Roma radio pundits debated the club's managerial direction and Manu Koné's market value in a daily commentary roundup. Carina on Radio Radio said Ferdinand, described as a serious figure with Manchester contacts, did not invent claims about a managerial agreement: "I don't think he made anything up." Carina suggested Roma may already have an agreement with Koné and are now negotiating with his current club, noting that Koné's departure is highly probable. He deemed the €59 million valuation appropriate but suggested it could rise further by comparison to similar deals. Orsi on Radio Radio countered that €53 million represents fair value for Koné: "For 53 million, I'd sell Koné—that's a good price." Pruzzo on Radio Radio stressed that Roma's technical direction matters less than the quality of incoming additions, predicting Manchester will pay whatever necessary and arguing the midfield needs rebuilding regardless of Koné's future. Ciotti and Fidanza on Radio Romanista praised midfielder Paredes' leadership and composure under Gasperini, comparing his personality to Svilar and Mancini. Fidanza highlighted Paredes' composure in the recent derby and noted his ability to operate at the tactical limit without accumulating yellow cards, contrasting him with players such as Hermoso who lose focus more readily.

Roma's squad continued intensive pre-season training at the Fulvio Bernardini facility under Gasperini as preparations for the new season gather pace. Working through the heat in Rome, the players are ramping up their conditioning ahead of the campaign. Matías Soulé shared a photograph from the dressing room on social media after completing the third training session, posting alongside Paulo Dybala, Mario Hermoso, Devyne Rensch, Pierluigi Gollini and Vasquez. Soulé captioned the image: "Third session completed with the gang." The post highlighted the squad's commitment to the gruelling preparation work underway at Trigoria.

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.