The Malen Effect: How Roma's January Signing Became a Champions League Masterstroke

Roma are in decisive talks to sign West Ham attacker Summerville, who is head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's primary target for the left attacking midfield role. The club's director of sport D'Amico has moved to meet the player's wage demands of 6 million euros per season, and Roma are now ready to lodge a 45 million euro bid to activate the release clause that expires within 10 days. The deal hinges on Summerville's final decision: the Dutch forward will return to Europe tomorrow and must choose between Roma and Aston Villa. Summerville would represent a significant attacking addition under Gasperini's direction. Fellow squad member Donyell Malen, who plays alongside Summerville for the Netherlands, is reportedly backing the move to Roma and pushing for him to join at the Stadio Olimpico. Should Summerville complete his transfer, he could become Gasperini's first major attacking signing since the manager's appointment.

Manchester United are actively pursuing Roma midfielder Manu Koné, with reports suggesting the French midfielder could leave Trigoria. The Red Devils, who have already signed Andrey Santos and Tielemans this window, are searching for another central midfielder. Rio Ferdinand fuelled speculation by claiming an agreement had been reached between the two clubs, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano clarified that while contacts remain live, Manchester United have not yet submitted an official offer. The relationship between Roma and Manchester United is described as excellent, though Gian Piero Gasperini and the club's hierarchy are reluctant to part with Koné following the team's achievement of qualifying for the Champions League. Roma consider the French midfielder an integral part of their midfield plans. Romano's intervention suggests the situation remains fluid. Though initial reports of a done deal proved premature, the club's interest is genuine and the possibility of a formal bid cannot be ruled out. Koné's exit would represent a significant blow to Roma's ambitions, particularly given the prominence he has assumed under Gasperini's tactical system.

Roma have identified Donyell Malen as their primary target to strengthen the left attacking midfield position, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini keen on the move. The club has set a virtual deadline of Monday–Tuesday next week for a decision after two meetings between sporting director D'Amico and Malen's representatives. A crucial detail has emerged: Malen's contract contains a release clause worth €45 million that expires in 10 days. Wages remain the sticking point in negotiations. Diego Moreira continues as Roma's alternative for the left flank. Moreira has already agreed personal terms with Roma on a €2 million salary and the club has submitted a €30 million offer to Strasbourg, plus 10 per cent of any future sale. This represents a more straightforward route if the Malen situation cannot be resolved before the release clause deadline. Elsewhere, contract renewals for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante have been finalised, providing stability to Roma's squad. Manchester United have also entered the race to sign Manu Koné, though Roma remain focused on their attacking midfield targets.

Roma are in decisive talks to sign West Ham attacker Summerville, who is head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's primary target for the left attacking midfield role. The club's director of sport D'Amico has moved to meet the player's wage demands of 6 million euros per season, and Roma are now ready to lodge a 45 million euro bid to activate the release clause that expires within 10 days. The deal hinges on Summerville's final decision: the Dutch forward will return to Europe tomorrow and must choose between Roma and Aston Villa. Summerville would represent a significant attacking addition under Gasperini's direction. Fellow squad member Donyell Malen, who plays alongside Summerville for the Netherlands, is reportedly backing the move to Roma and pushing for him to join at the Stadio Olimpico. Should Summerville complete his transfer, he could become Gasperini's first major attacking signing since the manager's appointment.

Roma have identified Donyell Malen as their primary target to strengthen the left attacking midfield position, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini keen on the move. The club has set a virtual deadline of Monday–Tuesday next week for a decision after two meetings between sporting director D'Amico and Malen's representatives. A crucial detail has emerged: Malen's contract contains a release clause worth €45 million that expires in 10 days. Wages remain the sticking point in negotiations. Diego Moreira continues as Roma's alternative for the left flank. Moreira has already agreed personal terms with Roma on a €2 million salary and the club has submitted a €30 million offer to Strasbourg, plus 10 per cent of any future sale. This represents a more straightforward route if the Malen situation cannot be resolved before the release clause deadline. Elsewhere, contract renewals for Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante have been finalised, providing stability to Roma's squad. Manchester United have also entered the race to sign Manu Koné, though Roma remain focused on their attacking midfield targets.

Roma's attacking plans have been disrupted by injury to Robinio Vaz, who will miss at least two weeks. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had hoped to showcase the French forward in early friendlies to attract buyers and move him out on loan, with Bologna having made enquiries. Vaz, signed from Marseille for €25 million, played only 205 minutes across 12 Serie A appearances last season and never started a match. Artem Dovbyk faces a similar plight, having cost nearly €40 million two years ago and now being pushed out for the second consecutive summer. A move to Genoa has failed to gain traction, partly due to his high wages, leaving Roma keen to monetise his departure. As negotiations drag on, a loan deal with a redemption option is gaining ground. With Donyell Malen not returning from holiday until 22 July, Dovbyk will be Gasperini's sole available striker for two early friendlies against the Primavera — one scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and another on Sunday. Gasperini continues to press for a new attacking signing. Tresoldi remains the target as Malen's backup, and the player has agreed personal terms and is ready to join Roma's project. However, Club Bruges has not lowered their €30 million asking price. Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have also entered the race, leaving Roma at risk of losing out entirely. Tresoldi's deal remains independent of Dovbyk's ongoing exit.

Roma continued their preparations for the new season at Trigoria, with Gasperini's squad into their third day of training camp. Paulo Dybala featured prominently in the day's news, with a reported dedication to the club. The women's team secured two contract renewals as part of the club's broader squad planning. Separately, Marseille's sporting director commented on the departure of Greenwood, though details of that transaction remain outside Roma's immediate sphere.

Roma's squad continued intensive pre-season training at the Fulvio Bernardini facility under Gasperini as preparations for the new season gather pace. Working through the heat in Rome, the players are ramping up their conditioning ahead of the campaign. Matías Soulé shared a photograph from the dressing room on social media after completing the third training session, posting alongside Paulo Dybala, Mario Hermoso, Devyne Rensch, Pierluigi Gollini and Vasquez. Soulé captioned the image: "Third session completed with the gang." The post highlighted the squad's commitment to the gruelling preparation work underway at Trigoria.

AS Roma has secured Zeki Çelik's contract renewal, with the full-back's new deal already signed and an official announcement expected soon. The club is simultaneously progressing talks with three other key figures: Lorenzo Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante all have ongoing negotiations over fresh terms. Cristante will extend his contract until 2028, while Mancini's new deal will run until 2029. Both players have reached verbal agreements with the club and are expected to sign imminently. Mancini remains considered untouchable by Roma's hierarchy despite earlier speculation linking him with Inter; the club registered no concrete approaches for the defender and continues to view him as central to the project. Pellegrini's situation is also progressing, with the midfielder and Roma in active dialogue to finalise his new contract terms. These renewals follow Paulo Dybala's confirmation of a deal through 2027, part of a broader push by the Friedkin Group to secure the club's core squad.