Bryan Cristante

Roma's pursuit of Celtic midfielder Engels faces fresh competition, with Tottenham now joining the transfer chase. The Scottish club values the player at €25 million, a fee Tottenham under De Zerbi is reportedly prepared to match. Engels is also attracting interest from Serie A rivals Lazio, Milan, and Napoli. Roma's midfield recruitment is not an immediate priority for Gasperini. The coach has Koné, Pisilli, Cristante, and El Ayanoui available in that sector, and the club is unlikely to move for a fresh arrival without selling Koné first. The coming hours are expected to be decisive regarding a separate forward target, Summerville, with the club also monitoring defensive reinforcements across the pitch. The €25 million valuation sets the benchmark for any suitor, though Roma's reluctance to act in midfield until funds are freed suggests they may step back from the Engels race or only pursue it if circumstances change.

Roma defeated the Primavera side 6–0 in an internal friendly at Trigoria under the watchful eye of director Tony D'Amico, with Paulo Dybala orchestrating the performance. The match was played in four slots under Gasperini's new-look system. Roma struggled initially in the opening 20 minutes, with Artem Dovbyk spurning a clear chance in front of goal. Once Gasperini reshuffled the lineup around the quarter-hour mark, Dybala took control. Matías Soulé opened the scoring by heading in a Dybala cross, before Soulé himself added a second from a Dybala assist at the 44-minute mark. In the second half, Dybala converted a penalty won by Cherubini and added a fifth with a left-footed half-volley from Soulé's assist, demonstrating the twin's telepathic understanding. Bryan Cristante also scored from a distance, with Dovbyk adding the sixth late on. Angeliño featured for just one half, while Wesley played on the right flank in place of the injured Çelik. Hermoso led the defensive line with authority and precision. Gasperini granted the squad a day's rest following the exercise, with training resuming tomorrow at 18:00.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal with Roma remains deadlocked, with the club offering a two-year deal while the 30-year-old captain seeks a three-year agreement after accepting a significant wage reduction. Having been sidelined last summer before being recalled by Gian Piero Gasperini, Pellegrini has been a free agent for 20 days and has turned down interest from Juventus, Napoli, and Inter—all of whom have made approaches—because he wants only Roma. Gasperini warned in a press conference on Saturday that delays are unhelpful and called for the contract to be resolved quickly, hoping to have the number 7 back in the squad soon. The delay has prompted a banner from the Roma ultras group to appear at Trigoria reading: "Fare un errore può succedere, ripeterlo vuol dire approssimazione. Teniamoci stretto Lorenzo" [Making a mistake can happen, repeating it means carelessness. Let's hold tight to Lorenzo]. Unlike Pellegrini's stalled talks, midfielder Bryan Cristante has signed a new contract through 2028, posting on social media: "Roma and the Roma, for me and my family, are home. A happy place... the city of my children... I prefer to speak little and demonstrate my attachment through sweat, but this bond until 2028 means something special to me: eternal love. I have always given everything for Roma and will continue to do so. I am honoured to continue my journey in giallorosso, a world that is and will always be home."

Lorenzo Pellegrini remains committed to Roma despite interest from Juventus, Inter and Napoli, but negotiations over a new deal have stalled. The 30-year-old midfielder, formally out of contract for twenty days, is willing to take a pay cut to stay at the club but is demanding a three-year contract while Roma is offering only two years. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has stressed the need to settle the squad as soon as possible, with the season already underway. The impasse has drawn attention from Roma's Curva Sud, who displayed a banner at Trigoria urging the club to secure Pellegrini immediately and avoid repeating what they view as the mistake made with Çelik. The supporter group's intervention reflects broader concerns about losing another key player during a critical period. On a positive note for Roma, Bryan Cristante has signed a new contract extension that ties him to the club until 2028, ending uncertainty over one of the club's senior figures.

Roma cruised to a 6-0 victory over their Primavera side in a pre-season friendly, with Paulo Dybala delivering an influential display that included two goals and two assists. Artem Dovbyk opened the scoring with a header from close range, before Matías Soulé doubled the lead from a Dybala assist. Dybala then converted a penalty he had won himself to extend Roma's advantage, with Bryan Cristante adding a fourth. Dybala completed the demolition with a technical finish, and Dovbyk sealed the result with his second goal. The friendly offered manager Gian Piero Gasperini useful observations ahead of the new season. Beyond Dybala's influential contribution following his contract renewal, Mario Hermoso and Wesley impressed with their physical condition. However, Angeliño emerged as a concern, appearing visibly short of match fitness and his place in the technical project increasingly uncertain.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has resumed training with a physiotherapist after recovering from a shoulder injury, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming his recuperation. The midfielder, born 1996, spent his break working alongside medical staff and is now back in full preparation ahead of fresh contract negotiations with the club. Roma's sporting director D'Amico is prioritising Pellegrini's renewal after completing deals for Paulo Dybala, Gianluca Mancini, and Bryan Cristante. The club is determined to avoid a repeat of the Zeki Çelik situation, where the defender was close to extending his contract before moving to Juventus. Pellegrini wants to stay at Roma, and Gasperini is waiting for him to be fully available. The sticking point remains the contract length. Pellegrini's agent is requesting a three-year deal, but both sides remain confident a resolution will be reached. The parties are working to find common ground as the club moves through its renewal cycle.