Soulé's Roma future in doubt as Gasperini unconvinced and agent seeks alternatives

Gian Piero Gasperini cancelled a scheduled interview with Sky Sport on 7 August, declining to discuss Roma's transfer activity and the club's pre-season training camp in Wales. Instead, the coach held a meeting with Roma's ownership at their Hensol resort base, focusing on the status of ongoing negotiations. The gathering included CEO John Galantic and centred on contract renewals, inbound moves, and player departures. Two deals were discussed: Lorenzo Pellegrini has formally agreed to renew his contract for one season, but paperwork remains unsigned. The Molina transfer is reportedly agreed in all its aspects but awaits a final procedural step. Gasperini's decision to skip the media appearance reflects the urgency of Roma's summer business with less than three weeks until Fiorentina visit the Olimpico for Serie A's opening day on 24 August. The club needs to accelerate its market activity, and the coach appears determined to prioritise action over words. Roma departed Wales for England on 7 August afternoon. Fans will next hear from Gasperini after Brighton's match against Roma, though the reference to waiting for Godot suggests uncertainty around whether clarity will then arrive.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has made a significant gesture towards AS Roma by signalling his willingness to renew his contract, accepting terms for a single year—potentially with an option for a second year subject to certain conditions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been instrumental in keeping lines of communication open with the midfielder, consistently expressing his desire to continue working with Pellegrini in his second season at the club. The two remain in regular contact. Roma's board has long delayed formal action on a renewal offer, but is now prepared to present an official proposal to the player. As of the evening of 6 August, no official offer had yet been formally submitted. Pellegrini's willingness to accept a reduced contract term reflects his commitment to remaining in the Giallorossi colours, despite the protracted nature of negotiations over the summer. Gasperini's backing has been crucial to narrowing the gap between the club and its captain, signalling that Pellegrini remains central to the coach's plans.

Roma are prioritizing Lyon winger Fofana as their main left-flank target, with head coach Gasperini backing the Belgian's profile. Sporting director D'Amico is pressing ahead in the transfer market after securing defender Molina, but Fofana's €45 million valuation brings caution: he missed significant time last season following an ankle injury sustained a year ago. Medical reports are encouraging, though Roma want full clarity before committing such an investment. RB Leipzig's Nusa, another attacking option, faces a steeper path to a deal after the Norwegian stated yesterday: "I have never expressed the desire to leave Leipzig." Real Madrid have offered to loan Endrick to Roma, who want to include a buyout clause modelled on the Nico Paz arrangement. The Brazilian could operate anywhere across the attacking line regardless of any potential departure by Soulé. Pellegrini's contract renewal also remains a priority.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a new one-year contract with Roma worth €2.5 million, rejecting offers from Juventus and Besiktas to remain with his boyhood club. The midfielder turned down higher-paying, longer-term proposals from both Serie A rivals and the Turkish side, prioritising his commitment to the Giallorossi. Pellegrini's initial request had been for a three-year deal at reduced wages—dropping from just under €6 million to €2.5 million annually—but the Friedkin Group countered with a one-year offer on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini publicly advocated for Pellegrini's retention, and the deal aligns with the terms offered to Paulo Dybala. Although advisors urged the former captain to explore the richer, longer-duration contracts available elsewhere, Pellegrini remained resolute in prioritising Roma and the opportunity to end his career at the club. He trained separately with a personal trainer during the negotiations, also undergoing a check-up in Finland following a recent injury. Pellegrini will rejoin the squad when Roma return from Wales on 10 August and will be available for Gasperini's preparation ahead of the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina. The midfielder is intent on proving his contributions can extend well beyond the ten-month span of his current contract.

AS Roma unveiled its new away kit for the 2026–27 season on 6 August, two weeks after the launch of the home jersey. The away shirt returns to white—a cream tone—after last season's orange, featuring a horizontal giallorossi band across the chest with the ASR crest at its centre. The design echoes the third kit worn in the previous season. The club shared images of squad members modelling the new strip on social media. Defenders Mancini and N'Dicka, midfielders Cristante and Wesley, forwards Dybala and Malen, and goalkeeper Vaz all featured in the photoshoot. The unveiling comes as Gasperini's Roma continues its preparation for the campaign ahead, having already debuted the home kit in competitive fixtures.

The Friedkin Group completed their acquisition of AS Roma on 6 August 2020 for 591 million euros, with the deal formally closed on 17 August that year. On the same evening, Paulo Fonseca's side lost 2–0 to Sevilla in a Europa League last-16 tie in Duisburg. Six years on, ownership of the Giallorossi has proved a mixed proposition: the appointment of José Mourinho—announced by tweet on 4 May 2021—proved inspired, delivering the club's first European title in 61 years when Roma won the Conference League in Tirana against Feyenoord on 25 May 2022. The same Sevilla side inflicted Roma's most painful defeat of the Friedkin era on 31 May 2023. More recently, Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival a year ago has restored Champions League football to Roma for the first time under the current ownership, secured by a third-place finish. Yet frequent upheaval in management and executive ranks has tested supporters' patience. Mourinho's sacking on 16 January 2024 was followed by Daniele De Rossi's appointment and subsequent dismissal eight months later—a reversal that triggered fan protests and the resignation of CEO Lina Souloukou. The subsequent appointment of Ivan Jurić drew widespread criticism, while Claudio Ranieri's brief spell as interim manager ended after a public clash with Gasperini. The club has also made high-profile signings in Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku, and approved a return to the classic AS Roma crest for the 2026–27 season. Recent restructuring saw staff from media, marketing, ticketing, and administrative departments reassigned to Roma Store roles.