Tsimikas returns to Liverpool after difficult Roma spell under Gasperini

Manchester United have offered Marcus Rashford to Roma as the two clubs explore a transfer corridor in the coming days. The 27-year-old winger, who featured for England at the World Cup, is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford following Barcelona's decision not to activate a purchase option. United manager Carrick has placed him on the exit list. Rashford represents a quality signing with significant international experience, but Roma face a major obstacle: his current salary of approximately €11 million per year is unaffordable for the club. Any potential deal—whether permanent or on loan—would require United to contribute substantially toward his wages. Manu Koné has simultaneously attracted interest from United, suggesting a possible player-exchange axis between the clubs.

Manchester United have offered Marcus Rashford to Roma as part of discussions over Manu Koné. The English club are keen on Koné but consider Roma's €60 million valuation too high and are attempting to reduce the asking price. In response, they have proposed Rashford, who has returned from a loan spell at Barcelona and is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford. Rashford's wages present a significant obstacle to any deal. The winger earns €11 million per season, a salary structure that concerns Roma's management. A permanent transfer appears unlikely; Rashford could only arrive on loan, but Manchester United would need to subsidise part of his salary—an arrangement Roma currently view as improbable. Director D'Amico continues pursuing a left-winger to provide head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with long-awaited reinforcement on that flank. Nusa remains Roma's primary target, with El Mala ruled out entirely. Leao is also being monitored but faces significant competition from other clubs.

Al-Hilal confirmed the signing of Summerville and used the announcement to taunt Roma. The Saudi club posted a video with the text 'All roads lead to...' followed by 'Riyadh'—a pointed jab at the Serie A side after winning the race for the player. Al-Hilal paid West Ham approximately €70 million in fixed fees and bonuses, and handed Summerville a contract worth €15 million per season. The financial package proved decisive in keeping Roma out of the running, despite their readiness to bring the Dutch forward to the capital. Gasperini's side must now pursue alternative targets to strengthen their wing options. D'Amico is working on securing an outside option for the head coach, with Nusa among the primary candidates. Roma are also monitoring Leao as a potential addition to their attack.

Roma find themselves in unexpected stasis on the transfer market one month before their Serie A opener against Fiorentina, hampered by slow planning, a complex summer constrained by Settlement Agreement rules, and difficulty delivering the reinforcements Gian Piero Gasperini has requested. As of late July, Roma had completed zero signings and just one minor departure, leaving six players from last season's squad still to be replaced: El Shaarawy, Ferguson, Tsimikas, Celik, Venturino, and Zaragoza. The club also has several players ready to depart—Salah-Eddine, Kumbulla, and Dovbyk among them—while others including Soulé and Koné remain uncertain. Contract complications surround Dybala, and Pellegrini's position requires clarification. Delays stem from structural issues worsened by Tony D'Amico's late arrival as sporting director, who became operational only in the final ten days of June following a dispute with Atalanta, compounded by World Cup scheduling and Settlement Agreement restrictions. Gasperini intends to compete at the highest level while preserving the squad's core and adding only a few elite signings. Roma pursued Mason Greenwood and Luis Summerville at length, becoming committed to the Dutch player beyond their budgeted limits before the deal collapsed entirely.

Kostas Tsimikas has expressed his joy at returning to Liverpool after spending the previous season on loan at AS Roma. Speaking to the club's official channels, the Greek left-back reflected on his time in the capital and his feelings about rejoining the English side. "I'm very happy to be back, it's as if I never left," Tsimikas said. "I couldn't wait, honestly. Last season was a hard and strange year for me." Tsimikas spent the 2024–25 campaign at Roma but made limited appearances despite training consistently. He acknowledged the difficulties of that period, explaining that he had worked hard on his fitness both during and after the season. His departure from Liverpool was temporary, and he has now completed his return to Merseyside. "I trained hard by myself at the end of the season," the defender continued. "I did so during the season too, even though for some reason I didn't play much. Now I'm here and I'm happy, I can't wait to wear this shirt." The move marks the end of Tsimikas's loan spell and his reintegration into Liverpool's squad.

Kostas Tsimikas has returned to Liverpool after a difficult season at Roma, expressing frustration with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's team selection. The Greek left-back made eighteen Serie A appearances last season but only four as a starter, failing to establish himself in Gasperini's plans. Wesley eventually took over the left-back role as Gasperini sought alternatives. Tsimikas told Liverpool's official channels that he is pleased to be back in England after what he described as a hard and strange year in Rome. "It is like never having gone away. I could not wait to return to England. Last year I had a very difficult and strange season, but now I am here," he said. "During the last year I trained hard, even though for some reason I did not play much." The comments represent a pointed critique of Gasperini's handling of the 24-year-old, who failed to convince the Roma manager despite regular training ground work.

Paulo Dybala has emerged as Roma's bright spot in an otherwise quiet transfer window, impressing during pre-season work at Trigoria over the opening two weeks. The Argentine scored three goals across early tests against the Primavera and Trastevere, operating consistently on the right flank alongside Wesley. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has paired the pair to devastating effect, with the Brazilian exploiting Dybala's inward runs to attack space in overlapping positions. Roma underlined Dybala's strategic and symbolic importance when they stationed him on the balcony of via degli Uffici del Vicario on the night of 21–22 July to greet almost 10,000 supporters gathered for the club's birthday celebrations. While Gasperini works with Dybala and Matías Soulé on the pitch, the sporting directorate pursues reinforcements on the left wing—a priority after failed moves for Greenwood and Summerville. Director of Sport Tony D'Amico is monitoring several international profiles, including Antonio Nusa and Said El Mala of Cologne, though the German club's €50 million valuation for the 19-year-old gives Roma pause given his single season of Bundesliga experience. Recent additions to the shortlist include Oscar Bobb of Manchester City and Brazilian Luiz Henrique.

Roma delivered a commanding performance in a summer preparatory match at Trigoria, crushing Trastevere 6-0 across two 35-minute halves. Donyell Malen opened the scoring with a tap-in from close range after three minutes, before Paulo Dybala doubled the lead on 12 minutes. Bryan Cristante made it 3-0 on 25 minutes, Luigi Cherubini added a fourth on 30 minutes, and Angeliño extended the advantage to 5-0 in the second period. Arena sealed the rout with the sixth goal to end the match. Gian Piero Gasperini used the friendly to build fitness and introduce his tactical demands to the squad, fielding two different lineups across the two halves. Wesley struck the woodwork during the first period, while Gianluca Mancini was cautioned for a foul on the edge of the box in the 18th minute. New sporting director D'Amico watched from the stands as Roma's players gained valuable game time following international commitments. N'Dicka and Malen had recently returned to Trigoria after their involvement in the World Cup.

Roma secured a 3-0 victory over Trastevere in their second pre-season friendly, with Donyell Malen, Bryan Cristante and Paulo Dybala among the scorers. Malen opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Dybala added a second in the 13th, and Cristante made it three on 25 minutes. Wesley struck the post during the match. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini welcomed back Malen and Evan N'Dicka following their return from holiday, though no new signings featured in the squad. This followed Roma's 6-0 demolition of the Primavera on Sunday, when Artem Dovbyk scored twice and Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante also netted. Niccolò Pisilli was unavailable this afternoon due to a muscle injury. The team will face Cannes in another friendly on Sunday at 17:00, broadcast live on DAZN.