Roma to face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August; Brandt eyed as free agent

AS Roma is monitoring Brazilian forward Endrick as a potential target to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's attacking options. The 2006-born talent is being considered alongside Crysencio Summerville and Alejandro Garnacho as Roma seeks to add quality and depth to the offensive department. However, the pursuit faces a significant obstacle: José Mourinho, Endrick's current manager, is reluctant to part with the player before seeing his full development. Mourinho views Endrick as having substantial growth potential and wants to continue working with him, which could limit the likelihood of a summer exit. Roma remains attentive to the situation and may explore a move if the Summerville and Garnacho avenues become definitively complicated. Endrick plays as a central striker but can operate as a second striker or right winger. A natural left-footer, he has explosive pace, attacks depth effectively, possesses physical strength to shield the ball against experienced defenders, and combines a powerful left foot with solid finishing and improving creativity in the final third. In the recently concluded season, split between Real Madrid and Lyon, he made 24 appearances, scoring 8 goals and providing 8 assists—contributing directly to a goal roughly every 1.5 matches. He has earned 21 caps for Brazil's senior side with 4 goals. Within Gasperini's system, Endrick's pace, ability to exploit space, and pressing intensity would make him compatible with the vertical, high-intensity football the Roma manager demands.

Manchester United have made contact with the representatives of Roma midfielder Manu Koné as the club seeks to strengthen its midfield options. Koné, currently competing for France in World Cup semifinals against Spain, remains undecided on his future at the Giallorossi. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has raised some doubts about the number 17's future in the capital, though the manager would prefer not to lose one of his key players. Koné's agent has travelled to England in recent days to explore potential suitors. According to reports, Manchester United have held talks with the midfielder's representatives following their acquisitions of Andrey Santos and Tielemans. The Red Devils are hunting for another midfielder with strong physical and defensive attributes—a profile that suits Koné, who has demonstrated his capabilities at international level. However, the Manchester United target list extends beyond the Roma midfielder, meaning Koné remains one of several options for the Premier League club rather than a primary target.

Ryan Friedkin arrived at Roma's training ground on a day when the club's summer transfer business gathered momentum. The vice-president's presence at Trigoria signals an uptick in activity as the club works across multiple fronts. Roma fans have praised Paulo Dybala's decision to renew his contract on reduced terms, a show of commitment that underscores the attacking midfielder's importance to the project under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club also announced Mattia Scala as the new Primavera head coach, extending structural changes throughout the organization. Transfer contact continues with targets including Summerville, though a move for Robinio Vaz has been halted. The window remains active with several positions still under review, and Friedkin's appearance at the training ground suggests decision-making at board level is accelerating.

Roma are pushing for a swift decision from Donyell Malen's representatives over a move to the Giallorossi. The club made contact with an Italian manager working for The Team agency—which also represents Malen—on Tuesday evening to gauge the Dutch winger's genuine interest in joining. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified Summerville as his primary target for the left-wing position since January, and Roma's sporting director met with the player's camp mid-morning to present the club's offer, which includes only modest bonuses rather than significant raises. A response was expected after lunch but had not arrived by the time of reporting. Ryan Friedkin's arrival in Rome and presence at Trigoria since Tuesday morning has bolstered the club's negotiating position. Roma have placed Garnacho on standby as an alternative, though Chelsea are reluctant to sanction a loan deal. Gasperini continues to push for Moreira of Strasbourg, a midfielder capable of playing across both flanks, while interest in West Ham's Summerville remains the priority. The club has also ruled out Mohamed Greenwood and is eyeing Real Madrid's Endrick, the 20-year-old on loan at Lyon until June with the same arrangement appealing to Roma. Endrick earns 2.5 million annually, fitting the club's revised wage structure.

Roma have emerged as contenders to sign Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa, the 20-year-old Brazilian forward, on a loan deal from Real Madrid. The approach, which surfaced around late June, follows Roma's earlier pursuit of other attacking targets including Summerville and Garnacho. Real Madrid are prepared to send Endrick out on a paid loan with the option of an agreement that could include a substantial buyout clause and a buyback clause in the club's favour. Endrick has attracted the interest of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who views him as a versatile second striker capable of operating across the attack and suited to Roma's tactical system, including a potential 3-4-1-2 formation. The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Lyon, where he scored 7 goals in 19 matches, and faces intense competition for minutes at Real Madrid. Salary is not a significant obstacle—Endrick earns 2.5 million euros gross per season. Roma's squad already includes Wesley, Endrick's Brazilian national-team colleague, which could ease his integration. For Gasperini, Endrick could also provide cover for Donyell Malen in the attacking line.

Roma had completed no incoming transfers by 14 July, a delay head coach Gian Piero Gasperini hopes to resolve quickly. The catalyst could be the arrival of Ryan Friedkin at Trigoria, expected imminently. Gasperini told Radio Rai: "The Friedkins will arrive in the coming hours and their presence will be fundamental because the market is made of decisions and immediate responses. Their presence will be decisive. We all hope to do good business and give answers to the enthusiasm of a city that has already done so much with season-ticket sales." Gasperini began pre-season work under intense heat at Trigoria on 14 July, with the squad completing medical checks before the first training session at 18:00. The manager has direct experience of how the Friedkins' physical presence can accelerate progress: their intervention proved crucial in the January signing of Donyell Malen. While Gasperini hopes none of Roma's key players depart before the end of the month, he acknowledges the need to monitor finances closely. Sporting director D'Amico is working to deliver the attacking reinforcements Gasperini requested, with Tresoldi identified as the primary target—though Artem Dovbyk's exit would be needed to facilitate that move.

Nine players assembled during Gian Piero Gasperini's first season at Roma have combined for 100 appearances across Serie A and cup competitions but have failed to establish themselves as regular contributors. Pierluigi Gollini featured only once, against Panathinaikos in January's final Europa League group stage match. Angeliño made brief appearances against Celtic and Panathinaikos before a March return to the Olimpico against Lecce, where he saw limited action in the run-in. Robinio Vaz, signed for 20 million euros plus 5 million in bonuses in January alongside Donyell Malen, scored his sole Roma goal against Lecce but has proven too raw for immediate impact as deputy striker. Bryan Zaragoza arrived on loan from Bayern Munich in January and impressed on his second appearance, starting against Napoli and providing an assist for Malen's opening goal from the seventh minute, yet proved costly when he came on in Roma's Europa League elimination against Bologna in extra time. Lorenzo Venturino, an 18-year-old winger on loan from Genoa, saw limited use due to his age. Evan Ferguson, signed on loan with a purchase option from Brighton, closed the season with 40 combined appearances across both strikers; the 20-year-old's campaign ended in January after injury and limited backing from Gasperini. Artem Dovbyk meanwhile struggled to meet the technical demands of the role and reappeared late in the season with only two minutes in the final two matches.

AS Roma has fundamentally altered its approach to recruitment following the departure of former sporting director Massara and the appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach. Young prospects acquired for future development—including Robinio Vaz, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi, Venturino, and Ferguson—are now considered surplus to requirements. The club has signaled these players may depart, either permanently or on loan, as Gasperini prioritizes immediate-impact signings over long-term investments. Gasperini's vision emphasizes players ready to contribute immediately rather than prospects requiring development time. Ziolkowski, a Polish defender, has reportedly been rejected multiple times by the coach and could leave permanently, with Nottingham reportedly interested at a valuation of 20 million euros. Similarly, Vaz, a French forward, no longer fits the profile of a reliable backup to Donyell Malen. The club has also rejected Bosnian midfielder Alajebgovic (class 2007), whom Massara had long tracked, with Gasperini deeming him too inexperienced despite interest from Bayer Leverkusen at 35 million euros. Roma's new sporting director D'Amico is recalibrating the transfer strategy to align with Gasperini's demands for quality and readiness rather than raw potential. Targets like Mason Greenwood and Molina represent this shift—experienced international players capable of performing on Europe's biggest stages. With Roma now competing in the Champions League, the club believes there is no margin for experimental signings.

Tony D'Amico is poised to become Roma's new sporting director after resolving his contract with Atalanta, with an official announcement expected within the coming days. The bureaucratic hurdle that had delayed the move has now been cleared, clearing the path for D'Amico to arrive at Trigoria. Once confirmed, D'Amico will immediately turn to contract renewals for defender Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala, both of whom are heading towards confirmation. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has already backed both stays, saying of Mancini: "He's not leaving", and of Dybala: "I'd like him to stay". Roma are also working to renew the loan of Lorenzo Venturino. Meanwhile, the club's summer schedule is taking shape: a friendly against Cannes, owned by the Friedkin family, is set for 26 July, following the previously announced fixture against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August. The squad will report for pre-season training on 13 July at Trigoria. For the 2026–27 centenary season, Roma will wear Adidas home kits in dark red featuring the historic interlocked "ASR" monogram, replacing the standard club crest. Winger Donyell Malen spoke to Men's Health about handling pressure: "I consider pressure a positive thing. If people expect a lot from you, it means they recognise your value."