Lorenzo Venturino

Roma are pursuing Summerville to fill the most glaring weakness in Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical system. The club has identified a right-footed attacking winger—capable of playing as a trequartista or winger on the left—as the top priority for the new season, with sporting director D'Amico now working alongside Gasperini to address the gap. The void has persisted for seasons. Throughout August, the club sought a loan deal for a right-footed attacking option without success, pursuing targets including Fabio Silva (who remained at his club with one year remaining on his contract) and Jadon Sancho via videoconference. January brought only unsuccessful temporary deals for Bryan Zaragoza and Lorenzo Venturino, alongside the unproven centre-forward gamble of Robinio Vaz, signed for €25 million. Summerville's arrival would finally remedy what has been an obvious deficiency in Roma's attacking setup under Gasperini.

Nine players assembled during Gian Piero Gasperini's first season at Roma have combined for 100 appearances across Serie A and cup competitions but have failed to establish themselves as regular contributors. Pierluigi Gollini featured only once, against Panathinaikos in January's final Europa League group stage match. Angeliño made brief appearances against Celtic and Panathinaikos before a March return to the Olimpico against Lecce, where he saw limited action in the run-in. Robinio Vaz, signed for 20 million euros plus 5 million in bonuses in January alongside Donyell Malen, scored his sole Roma goal against Lecce but has proven too raw for immediate impact as deputy striker. Bryan Zaragoza arrived on loan from Bayern Munich in January and impressed on his second appearance, starting against Napoli and providing an assist for Malen's opening goal from the seventh minute, yet proved costly when he came on in Roma's Europa League elimination against Bologna in extra time. Lorenzo Venturino, an 18-year-old winger on loan from Genoa, saw limited use due to his age. Evan Ferguson, signed on loan with a purchase option from Brighton, closed the season with 40 combined appearances across both strikers; the 20-year-old's campaign ended in January after injury and limited backing from Gasperini. Artem Dovbyk meanwhile struggled to meet the technical demands of the role and reappeared late in the season with only two minutes in the final two matches.

AS Roma has fundamentally altered its approach to recruitment following the departure of former sporting director Massara and the appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach. Young prospects acquired for future development—including Robinio Vaz, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi, Venturino, and Ferguson—are now considered surplus to requirements. The club has signaled these players may depart, either permanently or on loan, as Gasperini prioritizes immediate-impact signings over long-term investments. Gasperini's vision emphasizes players ready to contribute immediately rather than prospects requiring development time. Ziolkowski, a Polish defender, has reportedly been rejected multiple times by the coach and could leave permanently, with Nottingham reportedly interested at a valuation of 20 million euros. Similarly, Vaz, a French forward, no longer fits the profile of a reliable backup to Donyell Malen. The club has also rejected Bosnian midfielder Alajebgovic (class 2007), whom Massara had long tracked, with Gasperini deeming him too inexperienced despite interest from Bayer Leverkusen at 35 million euros. Roma's new sporting director D'Amico is recalibrating the transfer strategy to align with Gasperini's demands for quality and readiness rather than raw potential. Targets like Mason Greenwood and Molina represent this shift—experienced international players capable of performing on Europe's biggest stages. With Roma now competing in the Champions League, the club believes there is no margin for experimental signings.

Roma's radio stations have aired expert opinion on the club's summer transfer priorities and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's vision. Key names from Tele Radio Stereo and Radio Radio Mattino offered their views on potential departures and incoming signings. Ugo Trani predicted that Manu Koné could leave the club if substantial offers arrive by 30 June, describing him as a weightier asset than Matías Soulé. Trani expressed confidence that Roma could secure a replacement of equal or greater quality, noting the club is working on multiple profiles with 2–3 targets already engaged. He also flagged a tendon issue affecting Lorenzo Venturino as a concern. Antonio Felici singled out Gasperini as the guarantee, praising the coach's clear ideas and targeted recruitment approach. Lorenzo Pes suggested Gasperini wants another left-back to partner Wesley, and outlined concerns about potential signings: he warned that signing both Alajbegovic and Greenwood would cost nearly 80 million euros, and suggested Gasperini fears Alajbegovic might underperform like Robinio Vaz. Pes added that Gasperini would prefer to spend 30 million on Summerville instead. Mario Mattioli questioned why Mason Greenwood lacks suitors, raising concerns over Marseille retaining only 60 per cent of transfer revenue and Roma's proposal to pay over four years. Roberto Pruzzo acknowledged Marseille must pay United 40 per cent and will seek to raise the fee. Nando Orsi questioned whether Roma wants to lower Greenwood's 60-million-euro release clause and cautioned that a 50-million-euro outlay on one player would strain the overall transfer budget.

Roma are nearing an agreement with Genoa to sell midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi for €9.5 million, a deal that will generate a €2.5 million profit for the club. The 2003-born midfielder spent the past six months on loan at Genoa and is poised to make that switch permanent after just over two years at Trigoria. The transfer comes at the behest of Daniele De Rossi, who has consistently admired Baldanzi's qualities and pushed to bring him to Genoa in exchange for Lorenzo Venturino. With the 30 June deadline approaching, Roma are working to complete several departures, and the Baldanzi sale represents a significant piece of that outbound activity. The move will free up squad space and provide financial relief as the club reshapes its roster.

Tony D'Amico is poised to become Roma's new sporting director after resolving his contract with Atalanta, with an official announcement expected within the coming days. The bureaucratic hurdle that had delayed the move has now been cleared, clearing the path for D'Amico to arrive at Trigoria. Once confirmed, D'Amico will immediately turn to contract renewals for defender Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala, both of whom are heading towards confirmation. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has already backed both stays, saying of Mancini: "He's not leaving", and of Dybala: "I'd like him to stay". Roma are also working to renew the loan of Lorenzo Venturino. Meanwhile, the club's summer schedule is taking shape: a friendly against Cannes, owned by the Friedkin family, is set for 26 July, following the previously announced fixture against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August. The squad will report for pre-season training on 13 July at Trigoria. For the 2026–27 centenary season, Roma will wear Adidas home kits in dark red featuring the historic interlocked "ASR" monogram, replacing the standard club crest. Winger Donyell Malen spoke to Men's Health about handling pressure: "I consider pressure a positive thing. If people expect a lot from you, it means they recognise your value."