Soulé or Koné: one big departure looms before Roma renew and rebuild

Roma are preparing a concrete move for Belgian forward Moreira, a 2004-born prospect, with an offer of €30 million plus 10 per cent of any future resale. However, the package falls short of Strasbourg's valuation, with the French club demanding roughly €50 million. Agent Jorge Mendes is working to find a formula that will persuade Strasbourg to negotiate. Moreira was left on the bench in a recent match and has just been eliminated from the World Cup by Spain. The teenager has emerged as Roma's primary attacking target this window. The gap between the two clubs' valuations remains substantial, though Mendes' involvement suggests ongoing dialogue. Moreira's availability for transfer discussions was constrained while competing in the World Cup; his elimination means he can now focus fully on his future and potential moves.

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.

Manchester United has abandoned its pursuit of Atalanta midfielder Ederson following doubts over the Brazilian's physical condition. Atalanta, however, remains confident the player has no fitness issues and is prepared to reintegrate him into the squad. With Ederson off the table, United is now actively exploring alternatives in midfield—and the search has turned toward Roma's Manu Koné. The French midfielder has attracted interest from the English club in recent days, particularly from media coverage in England. Koné's involvement with his national team at the World Cup could work in Roma's favour, potentially enabling the club to secure a higher transfer fee. The collapse of United's Ederson pursuit may now reignite the club's interest in Koné, opening a fresh pathway for the transfer.

Mile Svilar has spent his break from Roma's summer holiday undertaking an intensive gym-based training programme ahead of the club's official return to work. The goalkeeper, considered a cornerstone of the Giallorossi squad by management, is determined to arrive at pre-season in peak physical condition for the campaign ahead. Roma's squad will report to Trigoria on Monday 13 July, when they will formally begin the new season under the direction of Gian Piero Gasperini. Svilar has worked closely with Belgian strength and conditioning coach Jeroen Beeusaert during the summer break to maintain his fitness levels. After one particularly taxing training session, Beeusaert posted a photograph of the goalkeeper on social media with the message: "Ok, now go back to Rome." The light-hearted post reflects Svilar's dedication as he prepares to defend the goal for Roma in what promises to be a demanding season, including high-profile European competition in the Champions League.

Mile Svilar has been putting in gym work during the summer break ahead of Roma's return to Trigoria on Monday, 13 July, when the squad will resume training under Gian Piero Gasperini. The goalkeeper is among Roma's key players and has been keeping fit over the holiday period with help from Belgian fitness coach Jeroen Beeusaert, who posted a tongue-in-cheek message on social media to mark the end of their sessions. "Ok, now go back to Rome," Beeusaert wrote alongside a photo of Svilar following an evidently gruelling workout. The summer gathering at Trigoria will mark the start of preparations under Gasperini, who took charge during the close season. Svilar remains a cornerstone of the squad and his commitment to pre-season conditioning underscores Roma's intent to hit the ground running when the competitive calendar resumes. With most of the first-team group set to report on 13 July, the next few days represent the final window of rest before the campaign begins in earnest.

Juventus have begun their search for a new goalkeeper after deciding to part ways with Michele Di Gregorio, who underperformed last season and lost his starting position to Mattia Perin. The club's first choice was AS Roma's Mile Svilar, but Roma rejected a substantial €42 million offer. Gian Piero Gasperini has no intention of selling his starting keeper, particularly as Roma prepare for their first Champions League appearance in nearly a decade. With Svilar unavailable, Juventus have shifted focus to Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez. Martinez has impressed both for Argentina on World Cup duty and for Villa, where he helped secure a Europa League trophy and a top-four Premier League finish. However, his contract at Villa Park runs until 2029, and the club has set a €15 million price tag on the Argentine goalkeeper. Juventus have already deemed Villa's valuation excessive, considering Martinez will turn 34 in September. Despite his age, the report suggests he could serve as a short-term solution for the Italian club, though details remain unclear on whether negotiations will progress further.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified a centre-back as a priority addition to Roma's squad, according to his list of targets presented to ownership. The search is not limited to attacking reinforcements; Gasperini wants an experienced central defender aged 28 or above to serve as a deputy to Mario Hermoso, giving the Spanish defender rest when needed. He has ruled out pursuing young prospects requiring development, such as Jan Ziółkowski, in favour of an established player. Roma enquired about Leo Ostigard in recent weeks, though the Norwegian would only arrive if Evan N'Dicka departs the club—a scenario ruled out with N'Dicka currently viewed as non-transferable. The defensive overhaul is not urgent, with attacking reinforcements taking priority in the coming window. However, the backline will be reinforced before the season progresses further.

Roma successfully resisted attempts by rival clubs to acquire key players on June 30th. Juventus approached the club for Mile Svilar, while Inter and Porto both made offers for Niccolò Pisilli. Additionally, Matías Soulé rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, with his agent expressing frustration over how the negotiations were handled. Despite pressure from multiple directions, Roma declined all approaches and maintained their squad. UEFA has granted Roma a one-month extension on the deadline for including player sales in their financial records due to World Cup scheduling, though this grace period does not apply to new acquisitions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has made clear his desire to retain Wesley, Evan N'Dicka, and Manu Koné as cornerstones of his squad, and the club hierarchy has prioritized keeping the manager satisfied. Roma intends to argue to UEFA that they can manage financial losses through peripheral transactions if necessary. Failure to meet Financial Fair Play requirements could expose Roma to fines exceeding €10 million and squad restrictions in 2027–28, though harsher penalties are considered unlikely. The club's strategy appears focused on retaining its top-tier players while strengthening the squad around the margins in the coming weeks.

Inter have emerged as interested suitors for Roma defender N'Dicka, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reportedly reluctant to lose the player. However, Roma's financial situation ahead of the June 30 transfer deadline has created pressure to consider departures. The club's hierarchy, including D'Amico, is actively working through the final hours before the cutoff date. Gasperini's preference to retain N'Dicka contrasts with Roma's need to generate funds, setting up a potential conflict between sporting and financial priorities at the club.

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.