Summerville closer to Roma after agent talks conclude

Manchester United have slowed their pursuit of Roma midfielder Manu Koné and are now actively exploring two alternative targets to strengthen their midfield. Koné, currently on World Cup duty with France, is scheduled to play on Saturday, 8 July at 23:00 against England in the third and fourth place match. The 23-year-old has impressed at the tournament and caught the attention of several English clubs including United and Chelsea. United's interest in Koné intensified in recent days, with former Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand publicly commenting on a potential deal between Roma and the club — a report that was denied within hours. However, United are now looking beyond the Roma midfielder. According to TeamTalk, following the signings of Tielemans and Santos, the Red Devils are also tracking Sander Berge of Fulham and Nicolas Raskin of Rangers as concrete alternatives to Koné for their midfield reinforcement. Roma remain alert and will wait for an official offer before entering negotiations. The Giallorossi will not accept a discount: they are demanding at least €50 million to allow their French midfielder to leave.

Zeki Çelik completed his move to Juventus on a three-year contract worth 4 million euros per season (including bonuses) after undergoing medical tests, marking the latest in a painful succession of Roma departures to their Serie A rivals. The Turkish right-back leaves after four seasons and 151 appearances, during which he scored two goals. His exit was particularly difficult for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who was already expecting him at Trigoria. The Roma-Juventus transfer axis has been a recurring wound in the club's history. In summer 1970, under president Alvaro Marchini, three key players departed simultaneously: defender Luciano Spinosi, midfielder Fabio Capello, and forward Fausto Landini. The bleeding continued through the decades with goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, forward Daniel Fonseca (1997), and others following suit. The most traumatic period came in summer 2004, immediately after Roma's title challenge under Fabio Capello: Juventus acquired French defender Jonathan Zebina on a free transfer and Brazilian midfielder Emerson for approximately 28 million euros, the latter's departure accompanied by jeers at the Olimpico. More recent transfers have compounded Roma's pain. Midfielder Miralem Pjanic departed in 2016 after Juventus triggered his 32-million-euro release clause. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who spent two seasons on loan at Roma from Arsenal, joined Juventus permanently. In January 2012, centre-forward Marco Borriello moved to Turin on loan and scored a decisive goal in their title-winning campaign.

AS Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico has accelerated negotiations to sign West Ham winger Summerville, with the Dutch player agreeing in principle to the move. After weeks of stalled talks, the deal has gained momentum in recent days, with the main stumbling block—Summerville's wage demands of €6 million against Roma's initial offer of €4 million plus bonuses—now resolved. The player has given his approval to join Roma, and the economic agreement is within touching distance, with only minor details remaining to be ironed out. D'Amico is prepared to present an official offer to West Ham worth approximately €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses. Roma is keen to complete the signing as their first piece of transfer business, having seemingly fended off Premier League competition for the player. West Ham's contract contains a clause that has prevented the English club from setting an asking price of €50 million, suggesting that a bid of €40 million plus €5 million in add-ons could seal the agreement.