Spalletti praises Çelik as 'warrior' after Juventus move; Roma left with broken verbal renewal deal

Empoli are leading the race to sign Roma midfielder Riccardo Pagano on a permanent transfer, according to La Gazzetta Regionale. The Tuscan club, under sporting director Fabio Artico, intends to move quickly to outpace rival suitors. The proposal includes a permanent acquisition of Pagano with a significant sell-on percentage in Roma's favour, a structure that would allow the Giallorossi to maintain economic control over the player's future. Pagano, a 2004-born midfielder, spent the 2024–25 season on loan at Bari, where he experienced the club's unfortunate relegation from Serie B to Serie C. Despite that difficult spell, the young talent has attracted attention from multiple quarters. The player's contract with Roma runs until 30 June 2027. Empoli's proposal for a permanent deal with a sell-on clause represents the most concrete scenario at present, though Padova and Südtirol have both made exploratory enquiries. Pagano's tactical versatility — capable of playing both as a mezzala and trequartista — has drawn interest from other clubs, but a departure from Rome appears certain.

Riccardo Pagano is poised to leave Roma permanently, with Empoli leading the chase to sign the midfielder on a definitive transfer. The Serie B club want to beat rival suitors to the 2004-born player, who is under contract at Roma until 2027. As part of the deal, Roma would retain a sell-on percentage from any future resale. Pagano, a midfielder recently relegated to Serie C with Bari, is now set to drop to Serie B level rather than remain at Roma. The move forms part of the Giallorossi's wider outgoings, which chiefly involve younger squad members being moved on. This exit phase sits alongside Roma's transfer activity on the inbound side, where Summerville is drawing closer and the club has begun scouting replacements for Zeki Çelik. Padova and Sudtirol are also monitoring Pagano's situation, though Empoli's formal approach to secure a permanent deal gives them the advantage in negotiations.

Roma are searching for a new right-back following Zeki Çelik's departure, with sporting director D'Amico preparing a shortlist of candidates. El Ouadhi is among the targets, along with Molina and Dodô. The winger represented Morocco at the World Cup, making a single appearance in the quarter-final against France. Genk value him at approximately €15 million, though Roma have not yet submitted an official offer. El Ouadhi remains on D'Amico's radar as the club prioritises resolving attacking additions first. Roma's immediate focus is on completing the transfer of Summerville, which must be concluded before the Çelik replacement operation can advance further.

Riccardo Pagano is poised to leave Roma permanently, with Empoli leading the chase to sign the midfielder on a definitive transfer. The Serie B club want to beat rival suitors to the 2004-born player, who is under contract at Roma until 2027. As part of the deal, Roma would retain a sell-on percentage from any future resale. Pagano, a midfielder recently relegated to Serie C with Bari, is now set to drop to Serie B level rather than remain at Roma. The move forms part of the Giallorossi's wider outgoings, which chiefly involve younger squad members being moved on. This exit phase sits alongside Roma's transfer activity on the inbound side, where Summerville is drawing closer and the club has begun scouting replacements for Zeki Çelik. Padova and Sudtirol are also monitoring Pagano's situation, though Empoli's formal approach to secure a permanent deal gives them the advantage in negotiations.

Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media on Thursday at 14:00 at Roma's Fulvio Bernardini training ground, marking his first public comments since the club entered its second week of 2026–27 preparation. The press conference comes as Roma finalises several squad matters. Paulo Dybala's contract renewal has been officially confirmed, while Zeki Çelik departed to join Juventus. The announcement of Gasperini's media engagement provides clarity for supporters amid the ongoing transfer activity and squad reshaping under the new head coach. Gasperini, who took charge in 2025, has been overseeing Roma's opening training sessions at the club's training facility. The Thursday conference will be held in the centre's press room.

Roma are searching for a new right-back following Zeki Çelik's departure, with sporting director D'Amico preparing a shortlist of candidates. El Ouadhi is among the targets, along with Molina and Dodô. The winger represented Morocco at the World Cup, making a single appearance in the quarter-final against France. Genk value him at approximately €15 million, though Roma have not yet submitted an official offer. El Ouadhi remains on D'Amico's radar as the club prioritises resolving attacking additions first. Roma's immediate focus is on completing the transfer of Summerville, which must be concluded before the Çelik replacement operation can advance further.