Roma thrash Fiorentina 4-0 in dominant display

AS Roma have officially confirmed a pre-season friendly against Newport County on 4 August at Rodney Parade stadium in Wales, with kickoff at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italy time). The match is managed by former Leicester manager Fuchs and represents Roma's second test in the United Kingdom during their summer schedule. Information for visiting supporters' tickets will be communicated in the coming days. The Newport County fixture slots into Roma's busy pre-season calendar as they prepare for the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina. The friendly comes after an earlier match against Cardiff on 1 August, followed by another game at Brighton on 8 August. After these English fixtures, Roma will face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August in their final warm-up before domestic competition resumes. These matches form part of the club's preparations under their summer training camp, with player fitness and tactical development a priority ahead of the new season.

Roma midfielder Manu Koné started for France in their Round of 16 World Cup match against Paraguay, replacing the injured Aurélien Tchouameni. Despite the absence of Real Madrid's midfielder, French media and supporters have praised Koné's solid display. France won 1–0 thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty, advancing to the quarter-finals while demonstrating resilience against a compact defensive opponent. Koné earned widespread acclaim for his performance across both defensive and attacking phases. Journalist Olivier Bossard of L'Équipe stated: "I am not concerned about Tchouameni's absence. I think Koné will be very good and hold firm. We are not losing quality—in fact, we may even improve with him, because we gain attacking options without losing anything in defence." The Roma midfielder recorded 88 touches, tied for the match high, and attempted three long-range shots while making continuous defensive interventions. RMC Sport named him man of the match, though some outlets such as Le Figaro highlighted technical errors in the first half. Deschamps' assistant Guy Stéphan described Koné as "a different type of player, one with quality and a different profile," emphasizing his ball recovery abilities and distribution. Koné was cautioned late in the match but demonstrated the work rate and versatility that satisfied French staff and supporters alike.

France advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay, secured by a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé. The South American side proved a tough and physical opponent, but France maintained composure and achieved their objective. Midfielder Manu Koné was among those praised for his performance in a demanding match. Koné, who currently plays for AS Roma, delivered a composed display in midfield against Paraguay's aggressive approach. He spoke about the nature of the contest after the match, noting the physicality on display and the tactical awareness required to navigate it without being drawn into unnecessary confrontation. The midfielder highlighted France's preparation and intelligence in handling the situation. In his post-match comments to beIN Sports, Koné reflected: "It was a very hard match, but we are happy. Today we adapted. They were a rather... physical team! We choose our words carefully (smiles). We managed to stand up to our opponents in the challenges, we won 1–0, we were effective. There were some excessive interventions, but we didn't fall into their trap. The coach had warned us during the week. We were intelligent, we just wanted to win." France's disciplined approach proved decisive in securing progression to the next stage.

Zeki Celik is close to signing a new three-year contract with AS Roma following Turkey's elimination from the World Cup at the group stage. The club and player have reached an agreement in principle, with an announcement expected in the coming days. However, Celik will not be Gasperini's starting right-back. The head coach has requested reinforcement on the right flank and views Celik as a versatile option who can operate on either wing or as a right centre-back to rotate with Gianluca Mancini. Gasperini's primary target for the right-back position is a younger profile than Molina, who is considered a secondary option at 28 years old. Dodô is not being pursued, as Roma has not made any formal approach for the player. On the left side, Wesley remains a key part of the plans after rejecting Chelsea and is ready for the upcoming season. Ruggeri is not a target for Roma. The club will seek an alternative to Wesley on the left, with Angeliño expected to depart. Roma continues to work on contract extensions for key players, with Celik's renewal progressing alongside talks with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini regarding their own deals.

Inter has reportedly reactivated contact with AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka as the Serie A transfer window officially opens. The club is exploring alternatives after failing to secure other defensive targets. Ndicka, currently on international duty with Ivory Coast, is considered a key reinforcement for Inter's defence, but Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views him as non-transferable. Inter's pursuit of other defensive options, including an unnamed player reportedly from another club, has stalled, prompting the renewed approach for the Roma defender. Niccolò Pisilli has also emerged as a potential target for Inter, with reports suggesting the club is considering the Roma midfielder as an alternative in their search for a successor in that position. The 2004-born midfielder is valued at approximately 25 million euros. However, both Ndicka and Pisilli have repeatedly expressed their commitment to Roma, and the club has made clear it does not wish to part with either player. Gasperini's stance on keeping these players is firm, presenting significant obstacles to any Inter move. Closing a 30-million-euro deal or higher in the remaining hours before the deadline would prove extremely difficult logistically. Additionally, Gianluca Mancini is approaching a contract extension with Roma and is unlikely to move to Milan.

Sergio Oliveira, the Portuguese midfielder who left Roma, returned to the city to attend the wedding of El Shaarawy and Ludovica Pagani. At the celebration, Oliveira reconnected with former teammates Lorenzo Pellegrini, Bryan Cristante, and Gianluca Mancini—players with whom he won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022. Oliveira shared his reflections on social media about his time at Roma, saying: "Roma is special. It has brought me so much. Not only sporting moments but mainly fantastic people. I am very happy to be here on this beautiful day, a truly special moment for my friend Ste. Even though we spent little time together, when you share the same values it becomes easy to understand each other and lend a hand. Thank you to you all and I wish you a life full of happiness." The post underscores the bond formed during the Giallorossi's successful European campaign and the lasting relationships built within the club. The wedding also included attendance from other Roma-connected figures, with details of their presence marking another chapter in the club's recent history of trophy success.

AS Roma has moved to protect midfielder Niccolò Pisilli by establishing a transfer valuation for the 2004-born player. Pisilli is regarded as one of the club's key pillars for the present and future. The specific price set by Roma reflects the club's determination to retain the young midfielder and resist any potential approaches from rival clubs. Details of the exact valuation remain unclear.

El Aynaoui has emerged as a standout performer at the World Cup, transforming his fortunes after a difficult first season at Roma. The Moroccan midfielder, who began the tournament viewed skeptically by Roma supporters following inconsistent form and limited playing time, has now become the focal point of his national team across four matches. His performances have attracted attention from major European clubs including Liverpool and Barcelona, yet Roma remains confident in retaining the player, who has reportedly expressed his desire to continue in the capital. Gasperini views El Aynaoui as a cornerstone of Roma's midfield project and plans to give him expanded responsibility in the coming season. Last year, the midfielder ranked below Pisilli in the hierarchy as he adjusted to Serie A after his move from Ligue 1. Gasperini recognized his potential but deemed him lacking the consistency needed during critical moments. The World Cup has demonstrated his readiness; El Aynaoui has developed the rhythm and confidence that eluded him in his debut campaign. The coach now sees concrete qualities upon which to build rather than mere promise. El Aynaoui will not necessarily be a guaranteed starter, particularly if Manu Koné remains at the club, but his increased opportunities will carry greater weight. Roma views the interest from Liverpool and Barcelona as validation of the talent already in their possession. The player's second season at the club is positioned as his moment of full consacration in giallorosso.

Roma successfully resisted attempts by rival clubs to acquire key players on June 30th. Juventus approached the club for Mile Svilar, while Inter and Porto both made offers for Niccolò Pisilli. Additionally, Matías Soulé rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, with his agent expressing frustration over how the negotiations were handled. Despite pressure from multiple directions, Roma declined all approaches and maintained their squad. UEFA has granted Roma a one-month extension on the deadline for including player sales in their financial records due to World Cup scheduling, though this grace period does not apply to new acquisitions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his desire to retain Wesley, Evan N'Dicka, and Manu Koné as cornerstones of his squad, and the club hierarchy has prioritized keeping the manager satisfied. Roma intends to argue to UEFA that they can manage financial losses through peripheral transactions if necessary. Failure to meet Financial Fair Play requirements could expose Roma to fines exceeding €10 million and squad restrictions in 2027–28, though harsher penalties are considered unlikely. The club's strategy appears focused on retaining its top-tier players while strengthening the squad around the margins in the coming weeks.

Ed Shipley, a senior aide to the Friedkin Group, is expected to arrive at Roma's Trigoria training ground in the coming days. His arrival comes as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini prepares for the squad's July 13 gathering and seeks reinforcements before the start of the season. Roma is ready to submit an initial offer to Marseille for Mason Greenwood worth €40 million plus bonuses, though the proposal falls roughly €10 million short of the French club's asking price. The club has reportedly reached personal terms with the English winger but faces pressure to move quickly to prevent rival interest. Gasperini's transfer wishlist extends beyond Greenwood. The coach has also identified targets including another wide attacker, a wide midfielder, a backup to Hermoso in defence, and an additional midfielder. The overhaul reflects broader changes at the club; Bruno Conti has departed, prompting Roma to restructure its youth academy setup. The coming weeks will be critical as Roma aims to strengthen its squad and prepare for the new campaign under Gasperini's direction.

AS Roma has reached an agreement with English winger Mason Greenwood and is preparing to submit a formal bid to Olympique Marseille. The initial offer of €40 million plus bonuses is ready, though Marseille is seeking €50 million plus add-ons. Roma has offered Greenwood a contract worth just under €5 million per season. The bid will be submitted after 30 June to signal to UEFA that the club has focused on resolving profit-and-loss issues during the month. Head coach Gasperini hopes to have Greenwood in place by 13 July, with the player keen to move and compete in the Champions League. Gasperini identified Greenwood as key to raising the team's level and winning immediately. The coach and Greenwood's father, who acts as his agent, held discussions approximately a month ago. The Friedkin Group ownership will now engage directly with Marseille owner McCourt, also American, to negotiate the transfer. Greenwood's arrival would represent a significant investment in attacking reinforcements as Roma seeks to strengthen its squad for the coming season. Elsewhere in the market, Roma continues to pursue other targets. Alternative wingers Tel and Sauer remain under consideration after Summerville fell through. On the flanks, full-back Dodô has not gained traction, and while Molina interests the club, Gasperini prefers a younger profile in that position—the Argentine is 28 years old. Defensive recruitment also continues, with Roma seeking a backup for Hermoso and potentially exploring Ostigard only if Ndicka departs.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has outlined his transfer strategy for Roma's defence, prioritizing continuity over upheaval. The club finished the season with the second-best defence in Serie A, conceding just 31 goals. Gasperini intends to keep the core three—Gianluca Mancini, Hermoso, and Ndicka—as the foundation for next season's Champions League campaign. No departures of starting defenders are planned; instead, Roma will pursue targeted additions to strengthen depth and competition. Among the profiles under consideration are Ostigard from Genoa and Disasi from Chelsea. Ostigard, a Norwegian defender known for aerial prowess and physical dominance, is valued at approximately 8 million euros and appeals to Gasperini's tactical preferences. Disasi represents a more costly option; Chelsea is seeking 25 million euros, but Roma are exploring a loan arrangement. Young centre-back Ghilardi, who developed significantly during the season, is expected to remain and potentially become a key rotation option for European fixtures. Ziolkowski, conversely, remains available for transfer as a potential source of profit. Gasperini has consistently emphasized a measured reconstruction: strategic investments without excessive spending, signing players suited to his football philosophy and ready to compete. The coach aims to avoid complacency following third-place finish while building from defensive stability—a proven foundation in Serie A title races. Roma's return to the Champions League after seven years places added emphasis on tactical preparation and depth.