Seven days to pre-season; Pellegrini awaits contract clarity

Manu Koné delivered a commanding display in France's quarter-final victory over Morocco, controlling the midfield with authority and winning plaudits from both critics and teammates. The Roma midfielder was introduced as a starter in the group stage against Iraq before establishing himself as a key figure for Didier Deschamps' side. After Aurélien Tchouameni was injured, Koné returned to the starting lineup for the knockout rounds, including a strong performance against Paraguay in the last-16 before his standout showing in the Morocco match. Against Morocco, Koné completed 35 of 38 passes for 92% accuracy, delivered one key pass, attempted one shot, recorded six recoveries and won four duels during 71 minutes on the pitch. His display earned widespread French media praise, with suggestions he should start in the semi-final and some naming him man of the match. Teammate Adrien Rabiot praised their partnership after the match, saying: "I and Manu were devastating, we devoured them." Koné reflected on his experience: "It's beautiful to play with Olise, Dembélé, Mbappé and Barcola. Great team, we're happy." The performances have intensified transfer speculation around the Roma midfielder. After Inter's courtship last summer and Atlético Madrid's rejected offer at the end of the season, Manchester United has reportedly intensified interest. Roma expect Koné to return to training on Monday following his World Cup campaign.

Roma are exploring a move for Alejandro Garnacho following the Mason Greenwood situation, with director Tony D'Amico having made contact with the winger's representatives. Chelsea regard Garnacho as available, but the club's preference is a permanent sale. Roma have no intention or financial capacity to pursue a permanent deal at present, leaving a loan move as the sole realistic option under discussion. Work continues behind the scenes on other right-wing targets classified as Champions League-calibre players. Leipzig's Nusa and Paris Saint-Germain's Mbaye are under consideration, while Ajax's Godts—who operates mainly on the left—has resurfaced as a possibility. Director D'Amico has also sounded out Dan Ndoye and Eintracht Frankfurt's Can Uzun, an emerging international playmaker. Como's Diao, who could leave the club, remains on the radar despite competition from Galatasaray. Manu Koné has impressed at international level with France, bolstering his standing at the club. Meanwhile, Roma have experienced a significant uptick in season-ticket sales, signalling renewed supporter confidence heading into the new campaign.

The Lazio Region has approved the Technical and Economic Feasibility Project for AS Roma's new stadium, marking a significant step forward in the club's long-running infrastructure plans. The announcement comes as Roma continue to await developments on the transfer market front. Bryan Cristante will discuss the news in an interview with Sportweek, with the full piece to be published tomorrow. The stadium project has been a central ambition for the Friedkin Group ownership, which took control of the club in August 2020. The regional approval clears a major administrative hurdle for the proposed new ground, though further steps remain in the approval process before any construction can begin. Elsewhere, midfielder Manu Koné impressed in France's recent match against Morocco, drawing praise from Adrien Rabiot. Roma's women's team has also confirmed the date and time for their opening fixture in the Serie A Women's Cup.

Roma are working to finalize contract renewals with key players before the start of pre-season training on 13 July, with the club aiming to have all agreements settled by Monday to ensure squad stability. Zeki Çelik is close to completing a three-year extension worth approximately 3 million per season under the Growth Decree, though he will miss the opening days of pre-season due to international commitments. Paulo Dybala has also agreed to fresh terms, expected to arrive in Rome within the next day or two to sign a new one-year deal with an option for a second season, extending his fifth year at the club. Lorenzo Pellegrini's situation remains the most complicated. Despite mutual willingness from both the player and the club to continue their partnership, agreement on contract length and wages has not yet been reached. The club is pushing to accelerate negotiations and find common ground in the coming days, with the priority of ensuring Pellegrini arrives at the Monday training camp with his contractual position settled and the wider environment operating without uncertainty.

Roma has changed direction in their search for a left-winger, turning to Alejandro Garnacho as their primary target after the Mason Greenwood pursuit became complicated by Fenerbahçe's financial intervention and Atlético Madrid's re-entry. The 2004-born Chelsea winger fits the profile Gian Piero Gasperini wants for his left flank, but negotiations with the Blues are stalled: Chelsea prefer a permanent sale over the loan Roma is seeking, making a short-term deal unlikely. The club has withdrawn from the Greenwood race, deeming Fenerbahçe's bids well above Roma's budget. Other monitored alternatives include Ndoye, viewed as appreciated but non-essential, and Nusa, currently considered beyond budget due to RB Leipzig's steep asking price. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is pursuing the right profile without triggering spending wars, adhering to strict financial limits set by ownership. Meanwhile, the squad will reconvene at Trigoria on Monday for the start of pre-season preparations. The club is also managing potential departures of Manu Koné and Matías Soulé, while progressing contract renewals on the domestic front, with Lorenzo Pellegrini expected to follow Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala in signing new terms. Margiotta has been officially appointed as the new youth academy director, and Roma has already reached 16,000 season-ticket renewals.

Roma are pursuing Alejandro Garnacho as their primary attacking reinforcement following Mason Greenwood's move to Fenerbahce. The club has made initial contact with Chelsea and plans another meeting after the weekend, but the Blues are not open to a loan arrangement and value only a permanent sale. Garnacho has signalled openness to joining Roma. Alternative targets include Ndoye and Lang, while Nicolò Tresoldi of Bruges is under consideration as a deputy for Malen—a deal that could proceed independently of any Artem Dovbyk departure. Meanwhile, Manchester United have shifted their focus to Roma's Manu Koné after withdrawing from the pursuit of Atalanta's Ederson due to physical concerns. United have requested information on Koné, whom Roma value at approximately €50 million. Internally, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has asked for a deputy to Mario Hermoso in central defence, with Genoa's Ostigard among the profiles being scouted. Roma are also exploring Eintracht Frankfurt's Uzun, a 20-year-old whose agents also represent Tresoldi. Contract renewal negotiations with Lorenzo Pellegrini remain unresolved, with a fresh meeting planned in the coming days to close gaps on wages and contract length. Renewals for Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala are complete.

Roma have made initial contact with Chelsea over Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, but a transfer remains complicated by the Blues' insistence on a permanent sale. Chelsea will not entertain a straight loan or loan with option to buy; the club is determined to secure a full fee from the 22-year-old's departure. Roma have valued Garnacho at approximately €40 million, with 10% of any transfer fee due to Manchester United under their original deal. Further talks between Roma and Chelsea are expected after the weekend. The pursuit reflects Roma's wider recruitment activity, though Garnacho has also attracted interest from Napoli and Como. Garnacho, a 2004-born player, spent time on holiday in the Italian capital and has expressed admiration for Roma's Paulo Dybala, adding a personal dimension to the club's interest.

Roma are working to finalize contract renewals with key players before the start of pre-season training on 13 July, with the club aiming to have all agreements settled by Monday to ensure squad stability. Zeki Çelik is close to completing a three-year extension worth approximately 3 million per season under the Growth Decree, though he will miss the opening days of pre-season due to international commitments. Paulo Dybala has also agreed to fresh terms, expected to arrive in Rome within the next day or two to sign a new one-year deal with an option for a second season, extending his fifth year at the club. Lorenzo Pellegrini's situation remains the most complicated. Despite mutual willingness from both the player and the club to continue their partnership, agreement on contract length and wages has not yet been reached. The club is pushing to accelerate negotiations and find common ground in the coming days, with the priority of ensuring Pellegrini arrives at the Monday training camp with his contractual position settled and the wider environment operating without uncertainty.

Roma has changed direction in their search for a left-winger, turning to Alejandro Garnacho as their primary target after the Mason Greenwood pursuit became complicated by Fenerbahçe's financial intervention and Atlético Madrid's re-entry. The 2004-born Chelsea winger fits the profile Gian Piero Gasperini wants for his left flank, but negotiations with the Blues are stalled: Chelsea prefer a permanent sale over the loan Roma is seeking, making a short-term deal unlikely. The club has withdrawn from the Greenwood race, deeming Fenerbahçe's bids well above Roma's budget. Other monitored alternatives include Ndoye, viewed as appreciated but non-essential, and Nusa, currently considered beyond budget due to RB Leipzig's steep asking price. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is pursuing the right profile without triggering spending wars, adhering to strict financial limits set by ownership. Meanwhile, the squad will reconvene at Trigoria on Monday for the start of pre-season preparations. The club is also managing potential departures of Manu Koné and Matías Soulé, while progressing contract renewals on the domestic front, with Lorenzo Pellegrini expected to follow Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala in signing new terms. Margiotta has been officially appointed as the new youth academy director, and Roma has already reached 16,000 season-ticket renewals.

Pierluigi Gollini reported to Roma's Trigoria training ground on Thursday morning, three days before the official start of pre-season scheduled for Monday, 13 July. The goalkeeper confirmed his early arrival via an Instagram story, joining Wesley in showing eagerness ahead of the 2026–27 campaign. Both players' enthusiasm underscores the squad's preparation for the new season. Gollini had recently appeared at El Shaarawy's wedding alongside teammates Mancini and Cristante, whose contracts expire in 2027, and Pellegrini, who is awaiting a contract renewal. The gathering reflected the close-knit atmosphere within the squad as players gear up for pre-season, with several key members keen to resolve outstanding contract matters. The official raduno at Trigoria will formally launch Roma's preparations for the campaign ahead.

Roma are working to finalize contract renewals with key players before the start of pre-season training on 13 July, with the club aiming to have all agreements settled by Monday to ensure squad stability. Zeki Çelik is close to completing a three-year extension worth approximately 3 million per season under the Growth Decree, though he will miss the opening days of pre-season due to international commitments. Paulo Dybala has also agreed to fresh terms, expected to arrive in Rome within the next day or two to sign a new one-year deal with an option for a second season, extending his fifth year at the club. Lorenzo Pellegrini's situation remains the most complicated. Despite mutual willingness from both the player and the club to continue their partnership, agreement on contract length and wages has not yet been reached. The club is pushing to accelerate negotiations and find common ground in the coming days, with the priority of ensuring Pellegrini arrives at the Monday training camp with his contractual position settled and the wider environment operating without uncertainty.

Roma has changed direction in their search for a left-winger, turning to Alejandro Garnacho as their primary target after the Mason Greenwood pursuit became complicated by Fenerbahçe's financial intervention and Atlético Madrid's re-entry. The 2004-born Chelsea winger fits the profile Gian Piero Gasperini wants for his left flank, but negotiations with the Blues are stalled: Chelsea prefer a permanent sale over the loan Roma is seeking, making a short-term deal unlikely. The club has withdrawn from the Greenwood race, deeming Fenerbahçe's bids well above Roma's budget. Other monitored alternatives include Ndoye, viewed as appreciated but non-essential, and Nusa, currently considered beyond budget due to RB Leipzig's steep asking price. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is pursuing the right profile without triggering spending wars, adhering to strict financial limits set by ownership. Meanwhile, the squad will reconvene at Trigoria on Monday for the start of pre-season preparations. The club is also managing potential departures of Manu Koné and Matías Soulé, while progressing contract renewals on the domestic front, with Lorenzo Pellegrini expected to follow Zeki Çelik and Paulo Dybala in signing new terms. Margiotta has been officially appointed as the new youth academy director, and Roma has already reached 16,000 season-ticket renewals.