Roma target summer sales by 30 June deadline; Pisilli and Svilar at risk if Koné and N'Dicka depart

Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a new contract with Roma, turning down offers from Juventus and Besiktas to remain with the club. The midfielder, born in 1996 and formally out of contract from 1 July, will be welcomed back by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini on his return from Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales and England, where a friendly against Brighton is scheduled for 8 August. Pellegrini has used recent weeks to recover from injury, a period that Sky Sport reports helped all parties involved reach the best decision. The club is expected to announce the renewal on 7 August. The deal is structured as a one-year agreement. The midfielder's decision to commit to Roma underlines his importance to Gasperini's plans for the 2026-27 season. Pellegrini, who wears the number 7, was free to negotiate with any club after his previous terms expired but chose to stay at the Giallorossi rather than pursue moves elsewhere.

Roma radio commentators debated the club's transfer strategy and squad ambitions in the current window. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that in the summer friendlies, Roma have resembled last season's side, and stressed: "In these summer friendlies, we saw the same squad as last year. If a genuinely elite player doesn't arrive—one capable of shifting the balance and adding quality—then Roma remain a repetitive team. The club has several certainties, but creativity is what it is. To try and raise the level of the attacking department, we need a player of that calibre who reshuffles the cards." Elsewhere, commentators weighed the merits of potential signings and departures. Alessandro Vocalelli noted that while Neil El Aynaoui is useful and two-footed, "there is a full category of difference" between him and Manu Koné, describing Koné as possibly Roma's most irreplaceable player—more so even than goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Ugo Trani argued that Romain Fofana's ankle injury has improved and he is much better, though Roma remain cautious and will assess him in person. On other targets, Trani said Nusa would not be uncomfortable joining Roma and Lipsia are willing to sell at their asking price; he also noted that Gian Piero Gasperini had made a personal commitment to appear on a radio show rather than a contractual obligation with Sky, meaning an interview could happen in the coming days. Nando Orsi backed the potential signing of Molina at right-back, calling him a capable player with experience who fits Gasperini's long-held idea of a right-side five, though Orsi acknowledged he may not fundamentally alter the team's balance.

Gian Piero Gasperini cancelled a scheduled Sky Sport interview on the evening of 6 August, the third occasion on which he has declined to speak to media during his time at Roma. The cancellation came after a market meeting at the club's training base at Hensol extended beyond the planned timeframe. CEO Galantic remained at the resort; Ryan Friedkin had left that morning but joined the call remotely alongside director of sport D'Amico, who has been travelling between Milan and Rome to oversee ongoing negotiations. Gasperini is growing impatient over the club's failure to secure a left-sided attacking player, a position the head coach views as critical before the season opens in 17 days. Roma continue to pursue Nusa from RB Leipzig, but the German club's asking price remains around €60 million and they show no willingness to negotiate. The club has also explored Fofana, though his fitness raises concerns. Attempts to discuss Martinelli and Leão have stalled: Martinelli's wage demand of €7 million in sterling is considered prohibitive, and Leão's situation is similarly complicated. The ownership has reaffirmed that its strict salary cap policy will not change. Molina is expected to arrive within days and will join Castro and Koulierakis on the list of new arrivals, but without the left winger the squad remains short of Gasperini's requirements. The meeting left Gasperini unsettled, and he chose silence rather than face media questions. He is unlikely to expect significant late signings and may address the press after Roma's friendly against Brighton, their final pre-season match in England before returning to the capital.

Roma are continuing their pre-season preparations in the United Kingdom with a focus on getting Donyell Malen back to his best. The Dutch winger arrived at camp below match fitness after playing through the final five months of last season without rest, accumulating fatigue from both club and international commitments. He was reduced to 25 minutes in the Cardiff friendly and missed the Newport match due to fever. Head coach Gasperini has implemented a tailored recovery programme: Malen trained separately on Wednesday following a one-to-one consultation with the coach, completing ball work, shooting drills, and extensive running to close the fitness gap with his teammates ahead of the league opener on 24 August. El Aynaoui, also returning from international duty, is following a modified training schedule, while Evan N'Dicka, who did not feature in Copa America matches, requires no such adjustment. Loyal captain Lorenzo Pellegrini will rejoin the squad soon after missing pre-season through injury and rejecting offers from Juventus and Besiktas. He has agreed to accept a one-year contract at a reduced salary—dropping from €6 million to €2.5 million annually—in the hope of negotiating a two-year extension next summer. His initial demand for a three-year deal shifted to this more flexible arrangement, positioning Roma's rebuild around his leadership. On the transfer front, Molina is en route to the club, whilst the pursuit of Nusa remains on hold despite his public denial of requesting a move from Leipzig. Fofana of Lyon stands as an alternative. Right-back targets include Endrick of Real Madrid. Roma conclude their Welsh camp tomorrow before heading to Brighton for a friendly at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

Jan Ziółkowski has opened up about his development at Roma during the club's summer training camp in Wales, highlighting the influence of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Polish football legend Zibi Boniek in his growth. Speaking to SiamolaRoma.it, the defender reflected on a difficult early moment when he was substituted after 30 minutes on his starting debut against Viktoria Plzen in late October, calling it a valuable lesson: "Chiaramente è stata una sensazione molto brutta. Era il mio esordio e forse stavo cercando di strafare. Il mister cerca sempre di fare il meglio per la squadra e di vincere le partite e ha deciso di sostituirmi. Ma io l'ho accettato e l'ho messo alle spalle." Ziółkowski credited experienced defenders Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka with helping him settle and improve. He also praised goalkeeper Mile Svilar's reliability: "È una bella sensazione. È rassicurante sapere di avere alle spalle uno come Mile. Per me è un portiere di classe mondiale e rende anche il mio compito più facile." On Roma's return to the Champions League this season, Ziółkowski expressed excitement: "Sarà un'emozione unica giocare la competizione migliore al mondo, dove dovremo fare del nostro meglio. Ce la siamo conquistata meritatamente la scorsa stagione." He also discussed his ongoing communication with Boniek, saying the veteran "mi dice sempre di essere me stesso" and offers honest feedback when required.

AS Roma unveiled its new away kit for the 2026–27 season on 6 August, two weeks after the launch of the home jersey. The away shirt returns to white—a cream tone—after last season's orange, featuring a horizontal giallorossi band across the chest with the ASR crest at its centre. The design echoes the third kit worn in the previous season. The club shared images of squad members modelling the new strip on social media. Defenders Mancini and N'Dicka, midfielders Cristante and Wesley, forwards Dybala and Malen, and goalkeeper Vaz all featured in the photoshoot. The unveiling comes as Gasperini's Roma continues its preparation for the campaign ahead, having already debuted the home kit in competitive fixtures.

Roma completed their final day of training in Wales on 6 August with a double session at Hensol, the first at 10.30 and the second at 16.00. Donyell Malen returned to group training after working separately the previous day, while Niccolò Pisilli remained unavailable and will rejoin the squad the following week. The club flies to London on 7 August before heading to Brighton for the final stage of their pre-season tour in the United Kingdom. Roma will face Brighton in a friendly on 8 August at 15.00 (16.00 Italian time), a rematch of their 2024 Europa League encounter. The squad will return to Rome immediately after the match. Two further pre-season fixtures follow: a test against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, and their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August.

Alessio Cacciamani, a 19-year-old from Jesi, has made a smooth transition from Torino's youth academy to professional football after an impressive loan spell this season at Juve Stabia in Serie B under manager Abate. Originally a left-winger who scored 12 goals in Under 18 competition in the 2023–24 season, Cacciamani was repositioned as a left-wing-back by Abate to exploit his offensive progression, stamina and physical resilience. The conversion required tactical refinement to develop a defensive phase befitting the role, though his primary strengths remain offensive. The 2007-born midfielder has represented Italy at youth level, earning 10 appearances in Under 19 and one in Under 21. His pathway has intersected with Roma's academy prospects: he faced Niccolò Pisilli and Cherubini at youth level, with both playing alongside him in Italy's 4–0 Under 21 victory over Macedonia in March 2026. Most notably, Cacciamani and Pisilli were both included in Baldini's senior Italy squad for the friendly against Greece on 7 June 2026, marking a convergence of two young talents on the international stage despite their youth and separate club circumstances.

Roma trained in Wales on the fourth day of their pre-season camp on 4 August, with the squad set to face Newport later that evening at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italian time). Wesley has recovered from a right ankle problem and completed the full session with the group, putting him in contention for tonight's friendly. Head coach Gasperini will decide whether to risk the Brazilian forward in the match. Niccolò Pisilli remained absent from training. Neil El Aynaoui also returned to group training after resolving a minor left knee issue and is ready to feature. CEO Galantic attended the session at the camp. Wesley's availability provides a significant boost to Roma's attacking options for the friendly, having been sidelined by the ankle injury in preceding days.

Mile Svilar has expressed his ambition to play at some of Europe's biggest stadiums with Roma in the Champions League. Speaking on Radio Romanista, the goalkeeper revealed he has never visited the Bernabéu as a professional and has also never appeared at Dortmund's ground or Paris Saint-Germain's Parc des Princes. Svilar stressed the importance of Roma starting the 2026-27 season strongly in Serie A before the club's European campaign begins. He noted that fine margins often decide final positions, observing that in each of his last two seasons Roma missed Champions League qualification by just one or two points from Juventus and Milan. "We must aim to finish in the top eight and then play in the play-offs," he said. "Before we see who we'll play in the Champions League, we must first start the season well in Serie A." The goalkeeper expressed particular enthusiasm about the prospect of playing at the Bernabéu, saying: "For me at the Bernabéu, just for the experience of the stadium. But it would also be beautiful at the Olimpico!" He added that Roma will travel to Dortmund within ten days. Svilar believes matches against elite European opponents offer valuable learning opportunities and are enjoyable contests to play in.

Roma radio commentators debated the club's transfer strategy and squad ambitions in the current window. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that in the summer friendlies, Roma have resembled last season's side, and stressed: "In these summer friendlies, we saw the same squad as last year. If a genuinely elite player doesn't arrive—one capable of shifting the balance and adding quality—then Roma remain a repetitive team. The club has several certainties, but creativity is what it is. To try and raise the level of the attacking department, we need a player of that calibre who reshuffles the cards." Elsewhere, commentators weighed the merits of potential signings and departures. Alessandro Vocalelli noted that while Neil El Aynaoui is useful and two-footed, "there is a full category of difference" between him and Manu Koné, describing Koné as possibly Roma's most irreplaceable player—more so even than goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Ugo Trani argued that Romain Fofana's ankle injury has improved and he is much better, though Roma remain cautious and will assess him in person. On other targets, Trani said Nusa would not be uncomfortable joining Roma and Lipsia are willing to sell at their asking price; he also noted that Gian Piero Gasperini had made a personal commitment to appear on a radio show rather than a contractual obligation with Sky, meaning an interview could happen in the coming days. Nando Orsi backed the potential signing of Molina at right-back, calling him a capable player with experience who fits Gasperini's long-held idea of a right-side five, though Orsi acknowledged he may not fundamentally alter the team's balance.

Mile Svilar has opened up about his early training under his father Ratko, who worked with him on distribution and dealing with one-on-one situations from a young age. Speaking to Radio Romanista, the Roma goalkeeper explained how he developed his characteristic style of rushing out to close space, a trait instilled during childhood coaching sessions. Svilar credited his father's demanding approach for shaping his mentality. "When I took a ball in the face and wanted to cry, he said no," Svilar said. "With him it wasn't possible to cry. So I learned that way and thank goodness it was tough." The goalkeeper emphasised that fear was never a factor: "Maybe at the start, yes and no. But I have a father who did the same job, so he wouldn't allow it." This formative period under his father's tutelage instilled both technical skill and mental resilience that continue to define Svilar's approach in goal.