Ryan Friedkin set to return to Roma as summer overhaul accelerates

Genoa have lodged a firm bid for Roma striker Artem Dovbyk, with former Roma manager De Rossi leading the push to reunite with the Ukrainian forward in Liguria. Dovbyk has signalled openness to the move, but Roma have imposed strict conditions on any deal: the club will only accept a permanent transfer or a loan with a mandatory or optional buyout clause, rejecting an outright loan with shared wage contributions. Dovbyk earns 3.5 million euros annually, a salary burden Genoa currently struggle to accommodate under their proposed terms. This financial impasse represents the chief obstacle to a deal, though both sides continue to explore solutions. Roma's approach reflects their broader strategy to manage player exits carefully while maintaining financial stability and alignment with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's project. The negotiations remain active, with all parties monitoring developments in search of a formula that satisfies each party's requirements.

Roma are targeting Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho as one of their primary transfer priorities, alongside Diego Moreira. The 22-year-old Argentine is frozen out at Chelsea and the London club are actively seeking his departure, but only on a permanent deal for a fee between 40–50 million euros — a figure that includes a 10 per cent sell-on clause owed to Manchester United. Roma's sporting director D'Amico initially favoured a loan with option to buy, but the fee presents a significant obstacle. To circumvent the challenge, the club plan to structure the move similarly to their recent acquisition of Donyell Malen: inserting performance-based conditions that would trigger an obligation to buy. These could include goals scored or Roma's qualification for the Champions League. The approach proved successful with Malen's arrival weeks earlier. Roma face competition from English, Spanish, and Arab clubs for Garnacho's signature. The striker remains one of the hottest names in the current transfer market and has generated considerable excitement among the Giallorossi fanbase, both for his reputation and the attacking role he fills.

Marash Kumbulla has returned to Roma following two seasons in La Liga with Espanyol and Mallorca, with his future at the club set to be clarified in the coming days during pre-season training at Trigoria. The Albanian defender spoke to Corriere dello Sport about his prospects under new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, saying: "I don't know yet. For now I'm in Rome, then we'll see if I can play my cards or if, instead, we'll look for a shared solution with the club. In that case I hope to go to a club where I can stay for several years, where there's a project." Kumbulla expressed openness to remaining in Serie A or La Liga, having benefited from his development abroad. He acknowledged facing numerous elite attackers in Spain, singling out Sorloth as particularly difficult. The 26-year-old also reflected on his time under José Mourinho at Roma, describing it as enriching and recalling "one of the most beautiful nights of my life" when the club won the Coppa Italia in his home country of Albania, specifically in Tirana. Regarding his fit under Gasperini's system, Kumbulla said: "I have characteristics that could be suited to Gasperini's football. So yes, I could use my qualities but, I repeat, we still need to talk. Without doubt he is one of the best coaches in Italy and Europe." He also noted maintaining contact with former teammates, including recent congratulations to Stephan El Shaarawy on his wedding.

Roma's official 2026–27 season begins Monday 13 July at Trigoria under Gian Piero Gasperini, with squad training and friendly matches scheduled until 31 July, when the club moves to a second phase of the summer schedule in Wales (running until 8 August). Paulo Dybala is expected to sign a one-year contract with an option to extend until 2028 in the coming hours. Defender Zeki Çelik and midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini will both be absent from the start of pre-season, though their absence extends beyond renewal negotiations. Both players are currently uncontracted but in talks to extend their Roma deals. For Çelik, agreement is essentially complete; Pellegrini's negotiations continue, with a gap of €500,000 between the club's offer and his asking price, though optimism is filtering through. Çelik will have additional rest days following Turkey's early exit from the World Cup, as is standard for all returning international players. Pellegrini will not train on Monday regardless of contract matters—he is still troubled by a recurrence of the injury he sustained in training before May's derby match, which forced him to miss the final weeks of the season.

Roma's summer transfer strategy is being shaped by the tension between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's technical ambitions and the club's commitment to financial discipline. Director Tony D'Amico is navigating this balance, evaluating each move carefully to avoid repeating past budget mismanagement. Diego Moreira is central to Roma's plans, with Gasperini keen on the midfielder's tactical versatility to bolster the flanks alongside Wesley. However, Strasbourg's asking price is deemed too high, and if negotiations don't yield flexibility, Roma may pursue less expensive targets. Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho remains under monitoring despite Chelsea's economic demands appearing beyond reach for Roma's proposed loan-with-option-to-buy formula. Nicolò Tresoldi is a concrete attacking target, with Roma attempting to lower Club Brugge's valuation to pair him with Donyell Malen. On the contract front, renewals for Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik are settled. Lorenzo Pellegrini's extension talks are progressing, though both parties must bridge a modest wage gap while Pellegrini recovers fully from recent injury before resuming full training.

Paulo Dybala has accepted a salary reduction of over one-third to remain at Roma, earning two million euros for the coming season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pressed strongly for the Argentine forward's stay. Dybala's renewal option for the following year is contingent on him playing at least 45-minute appearances, with additional bonuses tied to performance metrics. Two years ago, Dybala rejected lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia that would have tripled his wages; today he accepts substantially less to stay at the club. The decision underscores the commitment Dybala has shown to Roma since his arrival. Gasperini championed his retention through both the previous summer and this transfer window, with the club backing the manager's judgment. Dybala would earn roughly one-tenth of what he might command elsewhere, a sacrifice that reflects his emotional connection to the Giallorossi. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the club captain, has similarly agreed to a wage cut to remain at Roma. Pellegrini, who turned 30, is negotiating contract length with his representatives: the club seeks two years while his entourage requests three, though any new deal will be at a reduced salary.

Roma's official 2026–27 season begins Monday 13 July at Trigoria under Gian Piero Gasperini, with squad training and friendly matches scheduled until 31 July, when the club moves to a second phase of the summer schedule in Wales (running until 8 August). Paulo Dybala is expected to sign a one-year contract with an option to extend until 2028 in the coming hours. Defender Zeki Çelik and midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini will both be absent from the start of pre-season, though their absence extends beyond renewal negotiations. Both players are currently uncontracted but in talks to extend their Roma deals. For Çelik, agreement is essentially complete; Pellegrini's negotiations continue, with a gap of €500,000 between the club's offer and his asking price, though optimism is filtering through. Çelik will have additional rest days following Turkey's early exit from the World Cup, as is standard for all returning international players. Pellegrini will not train on Monday regardless of contract matters—he is still troubled by a recurrence of the injury he sustained in training before May's derby match, which forced him to miss the final weeks of the season.

Roma's summer transfer strategy is being shaped by the tension between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's technical ambitions and the club's commitment to financial discipline. Director Tony D'Amico is navigating this balance, evaluating each move carefully to avoid repeating past budget mismanagement. Diego Moreira is central to Roma's plans, with Gasperini keen on the midfielder's tactical versatility to bolster the flanks alongside Wesley. However, Strasbourg's asking price is deemed too high, and if negotiations don't yield flexibility, Roma may pursue less expensive targets. Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho remains under monitoring despite Chelsea's economic demands appearing beyond reach for Roma's proposed loan-with-option-to-buy formula. Nicolò Tresoldi is a concrete attacking target, with Roma attempting to lower Club Brugge's valuation to pair him with Donyell Malen. On the contract front, renewals for Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik are settled. Lorenzo Pellegrini's extension talks are progressing, though both parties must bridge a modest wage gap while Pellegrini recovers fully from recent injury before resuming full training.

Roma's training ground at Trigoria reopens officially tomorrow as the club begins pre-season under Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad will not arrive at full strength, with captain Lorenzo Pellegrini among notable absentees. Pellegrini is sidelined by a recurrence of an injury suffered in May that requires continued caution, though contract renewal talks are progressing in parallel. The midfielder and the club have already agreed on a two-year deal with an option for a third season, leaving only a minor financial gap of approximately €500,000 to bridge. The negotiations are expected to conclude soon with what is being termed a 'white smoke' moment of agreement. Defender Zeki Çelik is also absent, extending his post-tournament rest following international commitments, though he is close to signing a contract extension. Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala's recent contract renewal has been confirmed, and he will participate fully in pre-season as Roma look to build momentum for the campaign ahead.

Roma's official 2026–27 season begins Monday 13 July at Trigoria under Gian Piero Gasperini, with squad training and friendly matches scheduled until 31 July, when the club moves to a second phase of the summer schedule in Wales (running until 8 August). Paulo Dybala is expected to sign a one-year contract with an option to extend until 2028 in the coming hours. Defender Zeki Çelik and midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini will both be absent from the start of pre-season, though their absence extends beyond renewal negotiations. Both players are currently uncontracted but in talks to extend their Roma deals. For Çelik, agreement is essentially complete; Pellegrini's negotiations continue, with a gap of €500,000 between the club's offer and his asking price, though optimism is filtering through. Çelik will have additional rest days following Turkey's early exit from the World Cup, as is standard for all returning international players. Pellegrini will not train on Monday regardless of contract matters—he is still troubled by a recurrence of the injury he sustained in training before May's derby match, which forced him to miss the final weeks of the season.

Roma's summer transfer strategy is being shaped by the tension between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's technical ambitions and the club's commitment to financial discipline. Director Tony D'Amico is navigating this balance, evaluating each move carefully to avoid repeating past budget mismanagement. Diego Moreira is central to Roma's plans, with Gasperini keen on the midfielder's tactical versatility to bolster the flanks alongside Wesley. However, Strasbourg's asking price is deemed too high, and if negotiations don't yield flexibility, Roma may pursue less expensive targets. Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho remains under monitoring despite Chelsea's economic demands appearing beyond reach for Roma's proposed loan-with-option-to-buy formula. Nicolò Tresoldi is a concrete attacking target, with Roma attempting to lower Club Brugge's valuation to pair him with Donyell Malen. On the contract front, renewals for Paulo Dybala and Zeki Çelik are settled. Lorenzo Pellegrini's extension talks are progressing, though both parties must bridge a modest wage gap while Pellegrini recovers fully from recent injury before resuming full training.

Paulo Dybala has accepted a salary reduction of over one-third to remain at Roma, earning two million euros for the coming season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pressed strongly for the Argentine forward's stay. Dybala's renewal option for the following year is contingent on him playing at least 45-minute appearances, with additional bonuses tied to performance metrics. Two years ago, Dybala rejected lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia that would have tripled his wages; today he accepts substantially less to stay at the club. The decision underscores the commitment Dybala has shown to Roma since his arrival. Gasperini championed his retention through both the previous summer and this transfer window, with the club backing the manager's judgment. Dybala would earn roughly one-tenth of what he might command elsewhere, a sacrifice that reflects his emotional connection to the Giallorossi. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the club captain, has similarly agreed to a wage cut to remain at Roma. Pellegrini, who turned 30, is negotiating contract length with his representatives: the club seeks two years while his entourage requests three, though any new deal will be at a reduced salary.