Roma targets Verona's Belghali to replace Çelik at right-back

Andrea Radrizzani, former Leeds United president, has endorsed Crysencio Summerville as a perfect fit for Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma, valuing the West Ham winger at €50 million. Radrizzani knows Summerville well from his time at Leeds, where the Dutch forward arrived from Feyenoord as a teenager for approximately €1.5 million. After struggling initially in English football and asking to leave in his first year, Summerville was persuaded to stay, made his debut against Liverpool under Marcelo Bielsa, and developed rapidly under the Argentine's management. Radrizzani highlighted Summerville's technical quality and physical attributes as particularly suited to Serie A's less physically demanding style. "Summerville has technical and physical qualities that are out of the ordinary," Radrizzani told Retesport. "In a championship that is a bit less physical like Serie A, he can explode even more. He strengthened his physique playing in England." After a difficult first season at West Ham, Summerville recovered from injury and was among the few bright spots in the club's struggling campaign. The former Leeds chief connected Summerville directly to Gasperini's tactics, stating: "In Gasperini's transitions he can have an important impact. I believe he is perfect for the football that the Giallorossi coach preaches, which I admire greatly because he has managed to combine strong working methodology with very important results at Atalanta and Roma." Radrizzani acknowledged Premier League valuations are inflated compared to continental markets, noting Summerville could command €70–80 million had he enjoyed a stronger season.

Roma are on the brink of signing Jarrad Summerville from West Ham, with the transfer entering its final stages. The clubs are in advanced negotiations following Roma's latest offer of approximately €47 million plus bonuses, which has narrowed the gap to West Ham's €50 million asking price. Summerville will sign a five-year contract worth €4 million per season once the deal is finalised. The signing represents a major statement of intent from Roma's new recruitment structure. Summerville will become the club's most expensive acquisition in their history and fulfils a long-standing requirement from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who has been seeking a right-footed attacking winger for the past year. The arrival addresses a specific tactical need in Roma's attack that has gone unmet since the start of Gasperini's tenure. Completion of the transfer could arrive as soon as the coming hours, with the deal described as nearly concluded. The signing marks the first major acquisition of Roma's new transfer operation.

Alejandro Garnacho has made Roma his preferred destination, but a transfer remains unsettled as Chelsea and the Giallorossi differ over the deal structure. The Argentine winger, currently at Chelsea and deemed surplus to requirements by Xabi Alonso, has communicated his openness to joining Roma through his agents. Aston Villa have also made contact with Chelsea regarding Garnacho as a potential replacement for Morgan Rogers, but the player has rejected their approach in favour of Roma. Roma submitted their opening proposal on 14 July on the basis of a loan deal with an obligation fee of €5 million plus a €35 million purchase option that could become mandatory under certain conditions. However, Chelsea are seeking a permanent transfer, while Roma are only willing to pursue a loan arrangement as they manage their financial resources carefully. This disagreement over the formula represents the main obstacle to a move progressing. Roma remain in contact with Garnacho's representatives and continue to explore the right structure to make the operation viable. The club views Garnacho as part of plans to strengthen the attacking department under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, with the potential to bring in at least two wide forwards this summer.

Zeki Çelik's unexpected departure has forced Roma to accelerate their search for reinforcements on the flanks, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requiring at least two new fullbacks to complete the defensive unit ahead of the new season. Wesley remains the main established option alongside Devyne Rensch, but concerns linger over Angeliño following a difficult campaign and evident lack of match fitness, while a departure is already confirmed for Salah-Eddine. Roma is hunting for defensive cover that can provide the positional flexibility lost with Çelik's exit, with one target capable of operating as a centre-back as well. Diego Moreira of Strasbourg remains the club's primary target, though negotiations have stalled over his €50 million valuation, which Roma consider excessive. Nicolò Savona of Nottingham Forest is also being monitored and fits the profile, but concerns about his physical readiness following a recent knee injury are tempering enthusiasm. Alternative options at Molina and Dodo are not currently gaining traction. The push for strengthening the fullback positions comes as Roma also pursue Louis Summerville to bolster the attacking department.

Gian Piero Gasperini's wing options have been severely depleted after Zeki Çelik's surprise departure, leaving the Roma boss to pursue reinforcements in that area. The squad reported for pre-season with Wesley, Devyne Rensch, and Angeliño as available options. While Wesley remains reliable and Rensch offers a capable alternative, Angeliño has failed to convince. Last season was troubled for the Spanish left-back, who started Roma's opening five league matches but managed only thirty minutes in the field across games against Lecce and Pisa in March and April, hampered by persistent physical problems from which he never recovered. Gasperini has been monitoring him closely during pre-season training, but even in Thursday's friendly against the Primavera, Angeliño showed no encouraging signs. Kostas Tsimikas, who departed to Liverpool without lingering regret, will not be available this season, though Salah-Eddine is expected to return. Gasperini has identified the wing positions as requiring a complete overhaul, given that attacking midfielders have historically been central to his tactical approach. The club's primary target is reportedly Moreira, though Strasbourg's demands of at least 50 million euros present a significant obstacle. Roma are also interested in Savona and Belghali. The club needs to recruit at least two wide players, with at least one capable of operating as both full-back and centre-back, or across both flanks—a versatility Çelik possessed before his sudden exit despite a verbal agreement to extend his contract through 2029.

Roma and Inter are both tracking Verona right-back Rafik Belghali as a potential signing, according to reports from France. The 2002-born Algerian defender has impressed in his first Serie A season and recently scored for his national team at a World Cup match against Austria. Belghali could be a candidate to replace Zeki Çelik at Roma, following the defender's unexpected departure to Juventus after a contract renewal fell through.

Spain and Argentina face off in the World Cup final, with the Spanish seeking their second world title after 2010 and Argentina pursuing a fourth star and back-to-back victories. Ahead of Roma's training session against the Primavera this morning, the club's players declared their allegiances. The majority of the Roma squad will support Argentina and Messi. Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé lead the Argentine contingent, joined by Bryan Cristante, Daniele Ghilardi, Niccolò Pisilli, Mile Svilar, Artem Dovbyk, Devyne Rensch, and Gianluca Mancini. Mancini also sent a message to his former Roma teammate Leandro Paredes: "Vamos Leandro". On Spain's side, Jan Ziółkowski, Hermoso, and Angeliño will be backing the Spanish, with one additional Roma player from the Spanish camp also expressing support for las furias rojas.

Roma defeated their Primavera side 6-0 in a pre-season fixture at 09:00, with Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk each scoring twice. Bryan Cristante and Matías Soulé added single goals in a match that served as preparation for Gian Piero Gasperini's second season in charge. The friendly was divided into four 20-minute periods, allowing Gasperini to assess his squad ahead of the campaign. Dybala and Dovbyk impressed most prominently throughout the contest. Mario Hermoso departed the field with ice applied to his knee, though no serious concern was immediately indicated. The Primavera squad included players D'Amico, Margiotta and Frara. Roma fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back line of Daniele Ghilardi, Jan Ziółkowski and Hermoso, and Devyne Rensch, a player listed as Bah, Niccolò Pisilli and Angeliño across the midfield, with Soulé and a player listed as Cherubini supporting Dovbyk. Goals came on 8 minutes (Dovbyk), 40 minutes (Soulé), 49 minutes (Dybala), 52 minutes (Cristante), 56 minutes (Dybala) and 62 minutes (Dovbyk).

AS Roma opened their 2026–27 season with an in-house friendly against the Primavera at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre on a sweltering July morning in Rome. The match kicked off at 09:00 and finished the first half goalless, with referee Neglia in charge. The fixture was structured in four 20-minute periods. Roma fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back line of Daniele Ghilardi, Jan Ziółkowski, and Mario Hermoso, Devyne Rensch and Angeliño as wing-backs, Niccolò Pisilli and Bryan Bah in midfield, Matías Soulé and another midfielder supporting striker Artem Dovbyk. The Primavera, guided by new coach Mattia Scala, lined up in 4–5–1. New director of sport Tony D'Amico attended the match to observe the squad's opening preparations.

Zeki Çelik's unexpected departure has forced Roma to accelerate their search for reinforcements on the flanks, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requiring at least two new fullbacks to complete the defensive unit ahead of the new season. Wesley remains the main established option alongside Devyne Rensch, but concerns linger over Angeliño following a difficult campaign and evident lack of match fitness, while a departure is already confirmed for Salah-Eddine. Roma is hunting for defensive cover that can provide the positional flexibility lost with Çelik's exit, with one target capable of operating as a centre-back as well. Diego Moreira of Strasbourg remains the club's primary target, though negotiations have stalled over his €50 million valuation, which Roma consider excessive. Nicolò Savona of Nottingham Forest is also being monitored and fits the profile, but concerns about his physical readiness following a recent knee injury are tempering enthusiasm. Alternative options at Molina and Dodo are not currently gaining traction. The push for strengthening the fullback positions comes as Roma also pursue Louis Summerville to bolster the attacking department.

Gian Piero Gasperini's wing options have been severely depleted after Zeki Çelik's surprise departure, leaving the Roma boss to pursue reinforcements in that area. The squad reported for pre-season with Wesley, Devyne Rensch, and Angeliño as available options. While Wesley remains reliable and Rensch offers a capable alternative, Angeliño has failed to convince. Last season was troubled for the Spanish left-back, who started Roma's opening five league matches but managed only thirty minutes in the field across games against Lecce and Pisa in March and April, hampered by persistent physical problems from which he never recovered. Gasperini has been monitoring him closely during pre-season training, but even in Thursday's friendly against the Primavera, Angeliño showed no encouraging signs. Kostas Tsimikas, who departed to Liverpool without lingering regret, will not be available this season, though Salah-Eddine is expected to return. Gasperini has identified the wing positions as requiring a complete overhaul, given that attacking midfielders have historically been central to his tactical approach. The club's primary target is reportedly Moreira, though Strasbourg's demands of at least 50 million euros present a significant obstacle. Roma are also interested in Savona and Belghali. The club needs to recruit at least two wide players, with at least one capable of operating as both full-back and centre-back, or across both flanks—a versatility Çelik possessed before his sudden exit despite a verbal agreement to extend his contract through 2029.

Roma and Inter are competing to sign Belghali, the Verona fullback who is available for transfer. According to Footmercato, the left-back is among Roma's priorities, though the Giallorossi must fend off competition from Inter, who have included him on their shortlist as a potential replacement for Dumfries. Roma's recruitment focus on the flanks has intensified following Zeki Çelik's unexpected move to Juventus. The club is eager to strengthen both fullback positions, with Salah-Eddine set to depart and Angeliño's physical condition a concern. Belghali would be offered a contract worth 2.5 million euros per season. Strasbourg's Diego Moreira remains Roma's dream target, but the French club's elevated demands are hindering negotiations despite an agreement already reached between the club and the player.