Wesley: 'I fell in love with Roma immediately. We deserve the Champions League'

Roma's squad will enjoy a day off tomorrow after their first pre-season test at Trigoria this morning. Gasperini's team defeated the Primavera 6–0 in a friendly split into four 20-minute periods. The players will return to training on Tuesday afternoon at 18:00. The break comes at the end of Roma's opening week in pre-season retreat. While the squad enjoys their rest day, director of sport Tony D'Amico will have little downtime over the next 48 hours. He is expected to accelerate work on the Summerville front, following instructions from the club's ownership during this crucial window.

Roma concluded their first pre-season friendly with a commanding 6–0 victory over the Primavera side. Matías Soulé, Bryan Cristante, Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala were among the scorers, with Dovbyk and Dybala each netting twice. The result provided a positive opening statement as Roma prepare for the campaign ahead. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini granted his squad a rest day following the dominant display. Training resumes on Tuesday at 18:00 when the team will step up their physical and tactical work. The progressive increase in intensity is designed to build match fitness ahead of further pre-season fixtures and the official start of the season. Gasperini and his coaching staff are satisfied with the early indicators but emphasise that preparation is in its infancy.

Roma are pushing hard to sign Janis Summerville, with the player's agents having contacted Tony D'Amico to try to close the deal. Summerville has agreed to reduce his wage demands, and Roma's offer of 4 million euros plus bonuses is expected to satisfy him. The club continues to explore other attacking options, with Tresoldi positioned as a deputy to Malen rather than as a primary striker target, though transfer fee figures remain fluid internally. Lorenzo Pellegrini's future hinges on head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's assessment, according to radio analysis. Gasperini wanted to retain all three senior midfielders, but Pellegrini risks following the same trajectory as Zeki Çelik if the club waits until contract expiry to negotiate a renewal. The midfielder is a professional committed to Roma, yet he has the right to explore other opportunities as his contract runs down. A recent photograph posted by Pellegrini suggested he was at the airport exploring options elsewhere. Radio commentators questioned the logic of investing 30 million euros in a deputy to Malen, noting that at 21 years old, Tresoldi remains unproven. With the transfer window open and Pellegrini able to negotiate with other clubs from 19 July onwards, the dynamics around his future remain fluid and could materialise in unexpected directions.

Roma played their opening pre-season friendly at Trigoria under Gasperini, welcoming back Paulo Dybala and Wesley following recent absences. Dybala was formally a free agent until days ago, while Wesley returned from injury that caused him to miss the World Cup. Robinio Vaz remained unavailable through injury, and Zeki Çelik travelled to Turin, leaving Gasperini with a limited squad for the session. The main concern came when Mario Hermoso, the Spanish defender, left the pitch with ice applied to his right leg just below the knee late in the friendly. The issue appeared to stem from a knock, though Roma will monitor his condition closely over the coming hours. With few outfield players fit and available, Gasperini will be hoping the injury proves minor.

Roma have reached an agreement in principle with Diego Moreira's representatives over personal terms, with the Belgian winger offered a contract worth €2 million per season plus bonuses. The 21-year-old left-winger, who plays for Strasbourg, fits Gasperini's blueprint for a modern full-back capable of operating across both flanks. However, the French club is demanding over €40 million for his transfer, while Roma are unwilling to exceed €30 million. The clubs are in talks to bridge the €10 million gap through structured bonus clauses. The pursuit of Moreira underscores Roma's urgent need to reinforce their external positions following Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus. With Wesley, Rensch, and Angeliño currently the only available wide options at Trigoria, Gasperini is short of depth on both flanks. Moreira, born in 2004, is a left-footed player equally capable on the right and has made 76 appearances for Strasbourg, contributing 16 assists. He also holds four senior caps for Belgium, including an appearance in last year's World Cup knockout stage against Senegal. Parallel to the Moreira negotiation, Roma have renewed their interest in Fiorentina right-back Dodo, the Brazilian defender previously monitored before the club moved away from the prospect. Fiorentina value the former Shakhtar player at approximately €15 million, which Roma consider their absolute ceiling for the deal. While no formal written offer has yet been tabled, Roma's technical staff view Dodo as an attractive option should the economics align in coming days.

Roma's first friendly of the season takes place tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side facing the Primavera team coached by Mattia Scala. The fixture serves as an early-season workout for the capital club, who have yet to complete any summer signings. Gasperini will have the chance to assess his squad's condition and test potential attacking combinations. Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé are expected to feature behind centre-forward Artem Dovbyk in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The squad selected reflects the current roster without any new arrivals to integrate. Roma's line-up: Svilar; Ghilardi, Mancini, Hermoso; Wesley, Cristante, Pisilli, Angeliño; Dybala, Soulé; Dovbyk. Live text coverage will be available on romanews.eu.