Soulé offered to Atlético Madrid as Roma seek exits to fund forward targets

Marten De Roon has joined AS Roma and is determined to move past a 2023 incident when he posted a photo with a middle-finger gesture and text mocking the club after Atalanta's victory over the giallorossi. The post drew controversy and a €2,500 fine. In his first interview at Trigoria, De Roon said he had not authorised publication of that post. "I always play around on social media, but on that occasion I overstepped the mark," he explained. "I didn't authorise that post against the giallorossi — it sounds like a lie but it's true. I'm very sorry." He pledged to prove himself on the pitch rather than through words: "Social media is one thing, I want to demonstrate on the field that I am someone who goes beyond that. I will give everything for the shirt and want to repay the trust with facts." De Roon spent nine years at Atalanta under Gasperini, serving as captain, and the coach has now brought him to Roma. The midfielder is excited by his new surroundings. "I'm super happy, it's something very beautiful," he said of Trigoria. "Roma is a great club, the training ground is top level and I'm eager to begin." He is already familiar with the Olimpico but always faced it as an opponent. He relishes the prospect of Champions League football this season: "Last season Roma was in great form, the Olimpico is special, always full and impressive. The fans are very warm and this year we'll play against very strong teams in the Champions League, the atmosphere will be amazing. We must enjoy these evenings and try to achieve great results." De Roon believes he can contribute immediately. He knows Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini from Serie A, and two fellow Dutch players are already at the club: Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. "I want to help because I know Gasperini's system very well. There are two Dutch lads: Malen and Rensch. I want to play my part and I've joined a very strong squad," he said. He acknowledged he must now earn the affection of Roma supporters who saw him as an enemy until recently: "Super happy to be here, I can't wait to play in front of you at the Olimpico. I hope to be welcomed in the right way. Daje Roma."

Marten De Roon presented himself officially to Roma on 31 August 2026, expressing delight at joining the club. "I'm super happy, it's really something very beautiful. The transfer to a great society, I saw the sports centre and it's high level and I have so much desire to start," De Roon said at his unveiling. De Roon spent nine years under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at his previous club, where he regularly started and served as captain. He credited Gasperini with developing both him and the squad to a high standard. "When we spoke a few days ago he made a big effort and gave me this opportunity to come here, and for that I thank him so much. I also thank the club and the society that wanted me: it's not at all obvious, I'm really super happy," De Roon said. He acknowledged Roma's current strength, noting that "the squad is there, it's very strong. There are guys like Bryan Cristante, who I know, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini, who have played here for many years. I want to give a hand, I know Gasperini's game very well." On a previous social media post that appeared to target Roma, De Roon clarified his approach: "I'm someone who always jokes on social media, I always try to push the limit. On that occasion I think I overstepped the limit. There's an explanation though: with two friends I manage my social media. It was the only time – it seems like a lie but it's true – where I didn't authorise the post, because I had many interviews after the match. I'm sorry because I overstepped the limit." He expressed eagerness to play at the Olimpico, describing the stadium as "something very special" and noting that Roma's return to Champions League football creates "a crazy environment." De Roon sent a message to Roma supporters: "I'm super happy to be here. I can't wait to play at the Olimpico in front of you, because I realise it's a very special environment. I hope you welcome me in the right way. Forza Roma!"

Marten De Roon has given his first interview as a Roma player, addressing his previous social media comments about the club while expressing enthusiasm for his move from Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Dutch midfielder spoke to the club's official channels about the excitement of joining a top-tier organisation, his nine-year relationship with Gasperini at his former club, and his eagerness to play Champions League football at the Olimpico. De Roon clarified the contentious social media posts that had drawn criticism from Roma supporters. "I'm someone who always jokes on social media, I always try to push the limit," he said. "On that occasion I think I went over the limit. But there's an explanation: two friends and I manage my social media. It was the only time—it seems like a lie but it's true—that I didn't authorise the post, because I had many interviews after the match. I'm sorry because I went over the limit." He added: "I want to demonstrate on the pitch that I go beyond the limit, I give everything for the shirt and I must repay this trust with facts." De Roon emphasized his gratitude to Gasperini, saying the coach "brought me up high" during their time at Atalanta and played him consistently, even as captain at times. He praised the club's training facilities and highlighted Roma's strength as a squad, naming Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala, and Gianluca Mancini among the experienced players already at the club. On Roma's Champions League campaign, he said: "The stadium is something very special, every time I've played here I was impressed, full of very warm fans. Bringing the Champions League back to the Olimpico against very strong teams gives us an incredible atmosphere. We must enjoy these evenings and try to achieve great results." Closing his remarks, De Roon told Roma's supporters: "I can't wait to play at the Olimpico in front of you, because I realise it's a very special environment. I hope you welcome me in the right way. Forza Roma!"