World Cup timing threatens Roma's summer transfer plans

Roma's pursuit of Brazilian forward Endrick has become increasingly complicated. Although the club expressed interest in recent weeks, the young talent appears set to continue his career away from Serie A. According to Fabrizio Romano, Endrick is currently weighing his future, with staying at Real Madrid emerging as a concrete possibility. The player wants to test himself under Mourinho after spending the previous season on loan at Lyon, though another temporary move cannot be ruled out. Despite being on Gian Piero Gasperini's shortlist, Endrick is moving away from Roma as other European clubs vie for his signature. The Premier League is reportedly an attractive destination for the Brazilian. Roma's path to securing the player remains complicated as his options multiply. A final decision is expected in the coming days.

Endrick is deliberating over his next move, with his future far from settled. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Real Madrid forward is considering his options, with a stay at the Spanish club remaining a possibility. He is keen to prove himself under Mourinho after a loan spell at Lyon, though a departure on a temporary basis is not ruled out. The Roma link, however, is becoming increasingly difficult. Despite being on Gian Piero Gasperini's shortlist, Endrick is moving away from a move to the Giallorossi. Several foreign clubs are competing for his signature, with the Premier League an attractive destination for the player. A final decision is expected in the coming days.

Roma's preparation continues ahead of a friendly against Brighton, the final match of their British tour. Defender Marash Kumbulla has officially joined Rayo Vallecano on loan with a right of purchase. Mile Svilar spoke to Radio Romanista, reflecting on his Champions League experiences, anecdotes from his time at Roma, and his outlook for the future. Tickets went on sale for Roma's Serie A fixture against Fiorentina. Antonio Rüdiger was pictured proudly wearing the number 10 shirt of Roma legend Francesco Totti, underlining the cultural significance of the shirt within the club. The day's news caps a busy summer window period for the Giallorossi as they prepare for the new campaign.

Roma will face Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium on 8 August 2026 at 16:00 Italian time. The match comes after Roma's training camp in Wales and friendlies against Cardiff and Newport County. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, midfielders Devyne Rensch, Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante, and Wesley, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in attacking roles behind striker Donyell Malen. Tickets for the fixture are available through Brighton's official website. The friendly will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text coverage available on ilromanista.eu and radio commentary from Radio Romanista providing real-time updates from the stadium.

Roma are continuing their pre-season preparations in the United Kingdom with a focus on getting Donyell Malen back to his best. The Dutch winger arrived at camp below match fitness after playing through the final five months of last season without rest, accumulating fatigue from both club and international commitments. He was reduced to 25 minutes in the Cardiff friendly and missed the Newport match due to fever. Head coach Gasperini has implemented a tailored recovery programme: Malen trained separately on Wednesday following a one-to-one consultation with the coach, completing ball work, shooting drills, and extensive running to close the fitness gap with his teammates ahead of the league opener on 24 August. El Aynaoui, also returning from international duty, is following a modified training schedule, while Evan N'Dicka, who did not feature in Copa America matches, requires no such adjustment. Loyal captain Lorenzo Pellegrini will rejoin the squad soon after missing pre-season through injury and rejecting offers from Juventus and Besiktas. He has agreed to accept a one-year contract at a reduced salary—dropping from €6 million to €2.5 million annually—in the hope of negotiating a two-year extension next summer. His initial demand for a three-year deal shifted to this more flexible arrangement, positioning Roma's rebuild around his leadership. On the transfer front, Molina is en route to the club, whilst the pursuit of Nusa remains on hold despite his public denial of requesting a move from Leipzig. Fofana of Lyon stands as an alternative. Right-back targets include Endrick of Real Madrid. Roma conclude their Welsh camp tomorrow before heading to Brighton for a friendly at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

Jan Ziółkowski has opened up about his development at Roma during the club's summer training camp in Wales, highlighting the influence of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Polish football legend Zibi Boniek in his growth. Speaking to SiamolaRoma.it, the defender reflected on a difficult early moment when he was substituted after 30 minutes on his starting debut against Viktoria Plzen in late October, calling it a valuable lesson: "Chiaramente è stata una sensazione molto brutta. Era il mio esordio e forse stavo cercando di strafare. Il mister cerca sempre di fare il meglio per la squadra e di vincere le partite e ha deciso di sostituirmi. Ma io l'ho accettato e l'ho messo alle spalle." Ziółkowski credited experienced defenders Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka with helping him settle and improve. He also praised goalkeeper Mile Svilar's reliability: "È una bella sensazione. È rassicurante sapere di avere alle spalle uno come Mile. Per me è un portiere di classe mondiale e rende anche il mio compito più facile." On Roma's return to the Champions League this season, Ziółkowski expressed excitement: "Sarà un'emozione unica giocare la competizione migliore al mondo, dove dovremo fare del nostro meglio. Ce la siamo conquistata meritatamente la scorsa stagione." He also discussed his ongoing communication with Boniek, saying the veteran "mi dice sempre di essere me stesso" and offers honest feedback when required.

Jan Ziółkowski has dismissed speculation about a summer departure, insisting he is fully committed to AS Roma ahead of the 2026–27 season. Speaking from the club's preseason training camp in Wales, the Polish defender said: "Who says I could have left? I don't pay attention to what people say. It's clear that in football you never know what can happen and what the future holds. If there was something real, I'd be the first to know, but that's not the case. Now I'm focused on Roma, I train seriously and try to give my best." Ziółkowski has endured a testing baptism at Roma following months of adaptation and a competitive window. In late October, Gasperini handed him a starting debut against Viktoria Plzen but substituted him after just half an hour. The experience proved painful: "Clearly it was a very bad feeling. It was my debut and maybe I was trying too hard. The boss always tries to do his best for the team and win matches and decided to replace me. But I accepted it and put it behind me, even though for a footballer it's not nice to live through a moment like that." He acknowledged work on defensive errors, saying: "Yes, I've worked and am working on this, as on many other things. It's clear that when I slip, I need to be 100% sure I reach the ball. It's part of the game and, in a sense, it's also my style. I just need to choose better the moments to make that kind of play." Ziółkowski expressed excitement at Roma's return to the Champions League, their reward for last season's strong domestic campaign. He also praised support from Zbigniew Boniek, noting: "We talk often with Boniek. He always tells me to be myself and, obviously, if I needed advice I could always turn to him. It's nice that someone like him believes in my abilities."

Jan Ziółkowski has opened up about his development at Roma during the club's summer training camp in Wales, highlighting the influence of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Polish football legend Zibi Boniek in his growth. Speaking to SiamolaRoma.it, the defender reflected on a difficult early moment when he was substituted after 30 minutes on his starting debut against Viktoria Plzen in late October, calling it a valuable lesson: "Chiaramente è stata una sensazione molto brutta. Era il mio esordio e forse stavo cercando di strafare. Il mister cerca sempre di fare il meglio per la squadra e di vincere le partite e ha deciso di sostituirmi. Ma io l'ho accettato e l'ho messo alle spalle." Ziółkowski credited experienced defenders Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka with helping him settle and improve. He also praised goalkeeper Mile Svilar's reliability: "È una bella sensazione. È rassicurante sapere di avere alle spalle uno come Mile. Per me è un portiere di classe mondiale e rende anche il mio compito più facile." On Roma's return to the Champions League this season, Ziółkowski expressed excitement: "Sarà un'emozione unica giocare la competizione migliore al mondo, dove dovremo fare del nostro meglio. Ce la siamo conquistata meritatamente la scorsa stagione." He also discussed his ongoing communication with Boniek, saying the veteran "mi dice sempre di essere me stesso" and offers honest feedback when required.

Roma continued their pre-season preparation in Cardiff on 2 August with a training session that was disrupted by fresh injury concerns. Koulierakis arrived at the camp after completing his medical and paperwork in Rome, and took part in the open session alongside new CEO John Galantic and about fifteen travelling supporters. However, Wesley was forced to abandon the session after just minutes when an ankle sprain sustained in the previous day's friendly against Cardiff proved too painful to continue; he left the field visibly limping with significant strapping on his right leg. Jan Ziółkowski briefly caused alarm with a knock to his ankle during the session but recovered to continue without issue. Gasperini's squad is preparing for a Tuesday match against Newport while managing workload rotation through the summer window. Niccolò Pisilli remains unavailable despite being in the group, while defender Bah is awaiting an MRI scan scheduled for 3 August after sustaining a knee sprain in training on 1 August. Neil El Aynaoui, recently returned to training following World Cup duty, completed an extended fitness session around the resort and briefly paused for a minor left-knee discomfort before resuming his run.

Roma spent the penultimate day of their United Kingdom pre-season tour in transit to Brighton on 7 August, departing Vale Resort after a final training session in the morning before flying to London at 18:00 and travelling by coach to the south coast. Brighton's official social media channels welcomed the Giallorossi with a video set to Lando Fiorini's 'Forza Roma', the club's anthem. Paulo Dybala and his teammates arrived at the Maldron Hotel in the evening, where they stayed overnight ahead of tomorrow's friendly. The fixture against Brighton takes place at the Amex Stadium at 16:00 Italian time on 8 August, marking the first meeting between the sides since their Europa League encounter two years ago. Roma will return to the capital immediately after the match, with training resuming on Tuesday. The club's pre-season schedule concludes with a final test against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August before the Serie A season opener on 24 August against Fiorentina at the Olimpico.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a contract extension with Roma through 30 June 2027, ending speculation from Premier League clubs and Juventus. An official announcement is expected in the coming hours. The move secures the club's number 7 and caps weeks of negotiation. Mile Svilar reinforced his commitment to the club in a radio interview, saying: "I am happy here, my family is happy here. I want to stay at Roma." He outlined the squad's objectives: progressing in the Champions League, starting strongly in Serie A, and maintaining competitive intensity. Bryan Cristante, speaking from the pre-season camp, expressed enthusiasm for Gian Piero Gasperini's work and confirmed the group is eager to reunite with Pellegrini. Cristante also dismissed reports of lingering tension with Paulo Dybala: "Everything was cleared up immediately, with no lasting issues." Ticket sales for Roma's home opener against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20:45 began today, generating immediate demand with over 3,000 supporters queuing online. The 40,000 season-ticket allocation was exhausted long ago. Separately, Marash Kumbulla's departure to Rayo Vallecano on a loan with a right of redemption was confirmed, ending his Roma tenure after 68 appearances, 4 goals, and the 2022 Conference League triumph.

Luca Gotti, the former Udinese coach who developed Nahuel Molina, has backed Roma's pursuit of the Argentina international as an ideal recruit for Giampiero Gasperini's system. Speaking on Radio Manà Manà, Gotti praised Molina's trajectory since arriving in Italy in 2020 as an unknown quantity from Boca Juniors: "His path at Udine was so devastating that in his first year Argentina observers like Scaloni and Walter Samuel would often attend our matches to watch De Paul and Musso. They noticed Molina and convoked him in March to the national team. From there his career turned: today we speak of a World Champion, two-time Copa América winner, with important baggage matured in Madrid." Gotti believes Molina's pace, reactivity and high tempo suit Gasperini's demands perfectly, particularly in a five-defender setup that will unleash his attacking instincts. With Wesley and Devyne Rensch also competing for the right-back role, Gotti expects Wesley to shift to the left flank if needed, positioning Molina as the primary option on the right. Molina's understanding with Paulo Dybala should develop naturally given his experience linking play at international level. On character, Gotti described him as "a fantastic lad, calm and very sunny." However, he identified one area for refinement: "If there's a defect, it's that he can sometimes be lightweight or superficial inside his own penalty area. He still lacks a touch of attention in preventive reading inside the final sixteen metres. Yet Molina possesses the hardest qualities to teach already; attention and care in the defensive phase are aspects that, with daily work and experience, a master like Gasperini will easily complete."