Rome's radio pundits debate Gasperini's comments on Koné's market value

Roma radio commentators have offered contrasting views on midfielder Manu Koné's role at the club and the possibility of midfield upgrades. Stefano Carina suggested that if Roma were obliged to sell Koné for €60 million and acquire Ederson for €30–35 million, the loss would not be substantial, though he doubted such a deal would materialise. Carina added that Koné is not exceptional, noting "there are better midfielders" available. Roberto Pruzzo struck a more cautious tone, saying: "Replacing Koné is not impossible, but it is difficult and requires considerable time." Pruzzo identified the midfield as a department requiring close monitoring and improvement, pointing out that Bryan Cristante is advancing in age as the squad ages. The comments highlight ongoing discussions around Roma's midfield composition and potential summer activity. Both speakers acknowledged the challenge of finding adequate replacements in the transfer market, with the club balancing the possibility of moving players on while simultaneously strengthening the department.

AS Roma has launched a series exploring dream formations built around different themes, starting with players born in Rome. The project celebrates the club's unique bond with its city and territory, a connection deeper than almost any other Italian side. The initiative invites fans to submit their own selections via WhatsApp (351-3939337) by messaging "ASR TOP 11 - Dna romanista" at the start. Roma's identity has always been shaped by homegrown talent. From the club's founding in 1927, when Giovanni Degni touched the ball first, through to the present day, academy graduates have led every major success. Legends including Amedeo Amadei, Agostino Di Bartolomei, and Francesco Totti exemplify this tradition of raising champions within the city itself. Each decade has produced exceptional talents—from De Sisti and Bruno Conti in the 1950s, through Daniele De Rossi's fifteen-year partnership with Totti at the turn of the millennium, to Lorenzo Pellegrini carrying the torch today. The club's structure mirrors Rome's three historic components—popular, aristocratic, and religious—making overlap with the city the primary reason for its existence. No other Italian club has roots as profound in its territory. The deep sense of belonging, pride, and love for Roma allows homegrown players to transcend criticism and adversity, earning eternal glory by carving their names alongside the club's. The series aims to honour this legacy while acknowledging that many worthy candidates will inevitably be omitted from any single formation.

Mario Balotelli has named AS Roma among the contenders for next season's Serie A title, alongside Napoli and Inter. Speaking to Sportmediaset, the former Milan striker said: "Napoli and Inter are the favourites, but I want to add a surprise: Roma will also fight for the Scudetto." Balotelli, now based in Saudi Arabia, predicted that Gian Piero Gasperini's side will be in the mix for the championship despite not being among the usual elite. Roma have not yet completed any significant transfer business ahead of their squad gathering tomorrow. The pursuit of Greenwood has fallen away, while the club continues to work on signing a backup to Malen, with Tresoldi identified as a target, and also Garnacho. The Giallorossi are preparing to restart their season following a challenging campaign. Balotelli's endorsement represents external confidence in Roma's prospects, though the club's transfer activity will be crucial to whether they can genuinely mount a title challenge.

Manu Koné risks leaving Roma as the club prepares to offload a top earner to balance the books. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini hinted at the likelihood during a press conference, acknowledging financial constraints: "I think these conditions of financial fair play vary from squad to squad, they are not precise. It is undeniable that Roma knew they had this need to balance their accounts. I hoped and hope that reaching the Champions League is sufficient, but it is clear that accounts are fundamental for clubs and there will be more clarity in the coming weeks." Koné is the primary candidate for departure owing to the volume of offers he has attracted, particularly from the Premier League. The sale of Koné would force Roma to return to the midfield market, where only Bryan Cristante, Niccolò Pisilli and Neil El Aynaoui would remain. The club is targeting younger, more economical options. Among the profiles monitored are Danilo Santos of Botafogo, valued at €30 million, and Lamine Camara, a 2004-born Senegalese international at Monaco, for whom the Principality club values the fee at approximately €35 million.

Roma radio commentators have offered contrasting views on midfielder Manu Koné's role at the club and the possibility of midfield upgrades. Stefano Carina suggested that if Roma were obliged to sell Koné for €60 million and acquire Ederson for €30–35 million, the loss would not be substantial, though he doubted such a deal would materialise. Carina added that Koné is not exceptional, noting "there are better midfielders" available. Roberto Pruzzo struck a more cautious tone, saying: "Replacing Koné is not impossible, but it is difficult and requires considerable time." Pruzzo identified the midfield as a department requiring close monitoring and improvement, pointing out that Bryan Cristante is advancing in age as the squad ages. The comments highlight ongoing discussions around Roma's midfield composition and potential summer activity. Both speakers acknowledged the challenge of finding adequate replacements in the transfer market, with the club balancing the possibility of moving players on while simultaneously strengthening the department.

Roma begin their pre-season programme under Gian Piero Gasperini on the morning of his second stint at the club. Players are expected at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre at Trigoria by midday, with the squad list to follow. Gasperini arrives alongside Tony D'Amico as Roma aim to build on their Champions League qualification in his first season, targeting further improvement and European competition. The club awaits contract renewals for Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Çelik, followed by extensions for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante. Dybala has agreed to stay for another season on two million euros plus bonuses, with an option to renew based on appearances in the following year. The Argentina forward, intercepted at Fiumicino airport alongside Matías Soulé, is expected to complete his renewal announcement this morning. However, Pellegrini will miss early training as he continues rehabilitation from a late-season injury. Roma's pre-season includes three friendlies at Trigoria (16–24 July) against Primavera, Roma City, and Trastevere, followed by matches in France against Cannes (26 July), then Wales with Cardiff (1 August), Newport (4 August), and Brighton (8 August). The schedule concludes with a prestigious test against Dortmund on 15 August before the Serie A campaign opens.

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Rai Radio Uno on the opening day of Roma's pre-season training at Trigoria, setting the tone for the summer ahead. The new coach emphasised that despite an enthusiastic finish to last season, the transfer window has been largely frozen and will only truly activate this week as preparation begins across Serie A. Gasperini said: "The market in June was a bit of paralysis for everyone due to the World Cup. I think from this week the real market will begin a bit for everyone with the start of preparation, even if someone will arrive in fits and starts for World Cup commitments. Now the market begins and all the teams seem well armed to me." On Roma's ambitions, Gasperini stressed patience. "In July many teams want to strengthen themselves, then afterwards we'll have to see what happens in the market. Inter are always the favourites, then there are others like Milan and Juve who stayed out of the Champions League and will want to improve. Roma must continue its path and try to stay high and remain in the competition that allows you to strengthen yourself properly every year; if it manages to do so for several years then it can also aspire to aim for the title." He also addressed Paulo Dybala's renewal, suggesting major developments were imminent: "I believe that starting from this afternoon, so far we've been at the starting blocks, we've enjoyed the summer a bit. From today there will be important accelerations."

Gian Piero Gasperini's second Roma campaign officially begins today, marking the first season built entirely in partnership with new sporting director Tony D'Amico. The squad will arrive at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre around midday for medical examinations, fitness tests, and initial field sessions. Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Çelik are not included in the initial roster. Dybala is expected at today's gathering once his contract renewal is formally announced, while Pellegrini will require a few more days. Çelik's future is fully agreed, though the defender will only join after completing his World Cup commitment. Young academy prospects—Cherubini, Pagano, Reale, and Mannini—will train at Trigoria initially. Other key players including El Aynaoui, Manu Koné, Evan N'Dicka, Donyell Malen, and Salah-Eddine will integrate once their international duties finish. Roma's summer programme runs entirely at Trigoria before the first competitive test on 26 July at Cannes against the Friedkin family-owned French club, kicking off at 17:30 at Stade Pierre de Coubertin. The squad returns to Italy before heading to Wales on 31 July, where Gasperini's staff will oversee high-intensity training through 8 August. Director D'Amico is actively pursuing upgrades to the forward line. Roma's focus centres on two targets: Diego Moreira, a winger owned by Strasbourg (a Chelsea satellite club), and Argentine talent Alejandro Garnacho, reflecting a transfer strategy along the Roma–Chelsea axis.

Roma begin their pre-season programme under Gian Piero Gasperini on the morning of his second stint at the club. Players are expected at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre at Trigoria by midday, with the squad list to follow. Gasperini arrives alongside Tony D'Amico as Roma aim to build on their Champions League qualification in his first season, targeting further improvement and European competition. The club awaits contract renewals for Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Çelik, followed by extensions for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante. Dybala has agreed to stay for another season on two million euros plus bonuses, with an option to renew based on appearances in the following year. The Argentina forward, intercepted at Fiumicino airport alongside Matías Soulé, is expected to complete his renewal announcement this morning. However, Pellegrini will miss early training as he continues rehabilitation from a late-season injury. Roma's pre-season includes three friendlies at Trigoria (16–24 July) against Primavera, Roma City, and Trastevere, followed by matches in France against Cannes (26 July), then Wales with Cardiff (1 August), Newport (4 August), and Brighton (8 August). The schedule concludes with a prestigious test against Dortmund on 15 August before the Serie A campaign opens.