Roma to begin Pietralata stadium construction in 2027 with €1 billion Friedkin investment

Robinio Vaz fuelled debate on social media after posting cryptic messages on TikTok alongside images, captioning them: "We can shine only in the dark." When a user provocatively asked him "Is the bench comfortable?", the 2007-born forward replied with an emoji of a bird sleeping on a pile of money, stoking further controversy in the comments. The incident underscores tensions around squad depth and playing time at Roma as the season approaches. Vaz remains part of the club's squad despite limited opportunities in pre-season and competitive fixtures. Separately, the Olympic Village neighbourhood has raised objections to Roma's new parking plan for Stadio Olimpico matchdays. The revised arrangement, which stems from reduced parking capacity caused by construction works for the future Farnesina metro station on the C line, proposes using multiple streets across the residential quarter. Francesca Del Bello, president of Rome's II Municipality, has requested an urgent review of the plan and offered an alternative: external parking areas serviced by shuttle buses.

Roma begin the 2026-27 campaign at the Olimpico with a sold-out crowd of 67,000 against Fiorentina, three months after the 24 May result that secured Champions League return. Today all remaining tickets from the visiting supporters' section will be sold. The fixture marks the start of a season unlike any other, unfolding in Roma's centenary year, and Head Coach Gian Piero Gasperini will look to channel ambition toward silverware—a trophy Roma have won just once in the past 15 years, in 2022 with the Conference League. Gasperini is only half-satisfied with the squad assembled so far. The coach hopes for late moves in the transfer window, reportedly remaining hopeful that Brazilian forward Endrick will arrive, and is tracking other top-secret targets to lift his mood. Gittens is seen as unlikely, and Fofana's arrival hangs by a thread. Two things are clear in Gasperini's mind: the continued presence of Paulo Dybala and the passion of both squad and supporters. The summer investment of €120 million underpins those ambitions, though whether the final roster will be equipped to deliver a first league title in 25 years remains a question only the window's final days will answer.

AS Roma have completed the signing of Dutch defender Yayden Oosterwolde, who becomes the club's fifth summer reinforcement, though he will not be available until mid-September as he recovers from a muscular injury sustained in Champions League qualifying against Sturm Graz. While Oosterwolde's paperwork is finalised, sporting director Tony D'Amico is pushing hard to land Jamie Gittens from Chelsea. After Chelsea rejected an initial offer structured around a loan with a purchase option, Roma are preparing a fresh proposal to convince the English club. The club is also monitoring Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari of Brighton, who is entering the final year of his contract. The player performed well at the World Cup and is valued between €40–45 million, though Borussia Dortmund are also tracking him closely. Ayari represents an attractive but economically challenging opportunity for Roma's midfield future. With the final documents between the clubs being exchanged for Oosterwolde's arrival, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will have to wait until mid-September to deploy the defender on the pitch.