AS Roma Injury News

Lorenzo Pellegrini will not be available until the end of August at the earliest, as he continues to recover from a right thigh muscle injury. The Roma midfielder will miss fixtures against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August and Lecce on Monday 31 August. From 1 September, Pellegrini will begin training with the squad, with a week needed to regain match fitness. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had indicated the extent of the layoff following Pellegrini's contract renewal on 8 August, stating: "It will take at least a month. At least. We'll talk about it in September." A call-up for the home match against Atalanta on Saturday 5 September is possible, but the key fixture targeted for Pellegrini's return is the away trip to Torino on Sunday 13 September. The number 7 suffered a recurrence of his muscular injury to the rectus femoris of his right thigh, prolonging his absence from team training and competitive action.

Genoa and Brighton have reached an agreement to loan Evan Ferguson to the Serie A club, with Brighton covering 30 per cent of his wages. The move requires only final approval from the Irish striker, who is expected to be available from early October following left ankle surgery he underwent in March. Ferguson, a former Roma player, joins Daniele De Rossi's Genoa squad as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season. The 21-year-old arrived at Roma on loan from Brighton last summer with a €40 million purchase option, but that deal did not result in a permanent transfer. His return to Serie A on loan represents a fresh opportunity after his recovery from surgery.

Roma have made concrete progress on multiple fronts in their pursuit of new players. The club have agreed terms with Porto for Rodrigo Mora on a deal worth €25 million plus 50% of any future sale, with Roma holding the option to cancel that sell-on clause by paying Porto the remaining 50% next year. Porto's final approval is awaited to allow Mora to complete his move to the capital. In parallel, Roma have opened negotiations with Lyon over winger Malick Fofana, who has signalled his willingness to join the club in yellow and red. Lyon have provided Roma with all the operational details of a potential transfer, though the French side are pushing to keep Fofana for their Champions League commitments. Notably, Fofana's agents represent Luis Henrique, another player Roma have monitored in recent weeks. The decision on whether to pursue the Belgian talent now rests with Roma, though the club harbour an ambitious goal: to bring both Mora and Fofana to Rome and then add a further winger to complete the attacking department. With a week remaining until Roma's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is monitoring the fitness of Wesley and Niccolò Pisilli, both sidelined following a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August. Wesley continues to experience ankle trouble and will be assessed on the resumption of training at Trigoria, as will Pisilli. Confidence is filtering through that both will be available for the first match of the season.

Roma will open their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina in exactly one week's time, but face an injury concern over two key players. Wesley and Pisilli were both absent from a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, and their availability for the first league match remains uncertain. Wesley has an ongoing ankle problem that will be reassessed when training resumes at Trigoria in two days' time; Pisilli will undergo a similar evaluation on the same day. There is optimism both players will be fit for the clash with Fiorentina. Molina is expected to be the only recent recruit to start from the beginning against the Viola. Manu Koné requires further assessment before selection. Matías Soulé will operate on the left wing, with Paulo Dybala positioned on the right. Lorenzo Pellegrini, meanwhile, needs more time to recover from injury and will not be included in the squad for the match.

Roma will resume training on Wednesday 19 August, with Wesley and Pisilli both undergoing assessment ahead of the opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina on Monday 25 August. Wesley is nursing an ankle problem that will be evaluated at the resumption to determine whether he is fit for the season's first match. Pisilli will be checked on the same day, though there is confidence both players will be available for the trip to the Viola. For the Fiorentina opener, Roma are unlikely to welcome significant new arrivals into the starting XI. Molina is expected to start against Fiorentina, while Koné requires assessment. Soulé will operate on the left wing with Dybala on the right, though Pellegrini is not yet available for selection. Around 60,000 supporters are expected at the Olimpico for the match.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund at 17:30 on 15 August in what was intended as a crucial warm-up before the Serie A opener against Fiorentina, but injuries and an incomplete squad threaten to make it another uninformative friendly. Niccolò Pisilli remains sidelined recovering from a soleus muscle injury, Lorenzo Pellegrini is not included in the squad and will not return until mid-September, and Wesley was ruled out yesterday with a right ankle sprain—the same injury that troubled him in Wales. Manu Koné and Molina only joined the group on Tuesday, leaving Roma operating well below full capacity. With 15 days remaining in the transfer window, Roma squandered an early-season advantage over rivals such as Juventus, AC Milan, and Napoli, who faced restrictions on spending until making sales. The squad composition remains problematic: Gasperini named 23 players for the Dortmund match, including three goalkeepers, leaving only 16 outfield players from the first team—eight of them defenders. The club has received repeated rejections in pursuit of a striker Gasperini has wanted for the past year and a half, and uncertainty surrounds another ongoing transfer saga involving Mora. As reported by Stefano Carina in Il Messaggero, Roma's strategic approach to the window has shifted unexpectedly, raising questions about how the final weeks will unfold.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund in a prestige friendly at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, kick-off 17:30, in what Gasperini has confirmed will be the club's final warm-up before the Serie A campaign begins. Wesley, the Brazilian full-back, will not travel after sustaining a light ankle sprain on 14 August; he will remain in Rome for treatment with the intention of being available for the Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Lorenzo Pellegrini, fresh from a contract renewal, continues his pre-season conditioning programme and is absent from the squad, as is Niccolò Pisilli, who has not yet recovered from injury and is working individually. Nahuel Molina, who has been training at Trigoria for several days, is among the 23 players named by Gasperini and could make his Roma debut from the first minute, particularly given Wesley's absence. Manu Koné, the midfielder, has also been included after mixing individual and group work. Gasperini is expected to field a familiar XI in defence—Svilar in goal behind Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso—with Molina and Rensch on the flanks, Cristante and either El Aynaoui or Koné in midfield, and Dybala and Soulé supporting Malen up front. The Signal Iduna Park is sold out. The women's teams will also play beforehand at Stadio Rote Erde at 13:00. The men's match will be broadcast on DAZN.

Roma are monitoring Malick Fofana, the Lyon winger, with Galatasaray now showing interest and initial contact between clubs reported. The French club's asking price has fallen to potentially below €40 million in recent weeks, though Fofana's injury record last season remains a concern. Gasperini's side face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park in their final pre-season friendly. Wesley has been ruled out after suffering a slight ankle sprain while on international duty in Wales, and will miss the match as a precaution. The squad list for the fixture includes defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, Ndicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The news comes after Roma's defeat to Brighton in the previous friendly.

Roma have named their squad for tomorrow's friendly against Borussia Dortmund at 17:30, the final pre-season match following warm-up games against Trastevere, Primavera, Cannes, Cardiff, Newport and Brighton. The Giallorossi will fly to Germany on 14 August, with the match taking place on Ferragosto (15 August). Molina earns his first call-up and is available to head coach Gasperini, while Koné returns to the squad. Absent through injury are Pisilli and Pellegrini; Wesley is also ruled out with a mild ankle sprain. Academy player Morucci has been included in the attacking contingent. The 24-man squad includes three goalkeepers—De Marzi, Gollini and Svilar—and a broad defensive line featuring Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziólkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi. Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné form the midfield core, while the attack comprises Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The squad depth reflects Roma's preparation for the new season amid the pre-campaign injury list.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday 15 August at 17:30 in Germany. The match carries the flavour of a Champions League encounter for the Giallorossi and will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN. Molina will make his debut in the fixture, while Koné returns to action. Pisilli and Pellegrini are ruled out through injury. The friendly serves as the final preparation before Roma's Serie A campaign begins on Monday 24 August against Fiorentina. To watch the match on television, viewers will need a DAZN subscription and can access it via smart TV apps, gaming consoles including Xbox and PlayStation, or alternative devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and TIM VISION Box. Live coverage will also be available through Forzaroma.info's live blog and updates on Roma's social media channels including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Molina trained with Roma for the first time on 13 August, now at full disposal of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad trained at Trigoria this morning before departing tomorrow for Dortmund, where a friendly against Borussia is scheduled for Saturday at 17:30. Manu Koné will feature in the match; Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini remain absent. Both midfielders are expected to return to full training in the coming days and are targeting availability for Roma's opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina. Roma held an evening meeting with UEFA focused on refereeing matters. Roberto Rosetti, the European confederation's chief refereeing officer, fielded questions from players and club staff regarding new regulations coming into effect next season. The session gave Roma's squad the chance to seek clarification on specific rules and officiating protocols ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned to Roma's training base at Trigoria but will not participate in Wednesday's session following the club's pre-season retreat in Wales. The midfielder is in the final phase of physiotherapy treatment for a muscular injury to the rectus femoris of his right thigh and will rejoin group training after 15 August. Manu Koné has completed his post-World Cup break and will be available for selection immediately. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will have access to both players as Roma prepare for the campaign ahead. Koné remains at the club despite a light enquiry from Chelsea, and is expected to stay at Roma barring any surprise developments. Pellegrini, who recently signed a new contract, was previously captain of the club. His recovery means Roma will have two key midfield reinforcements ready soon as Gasperini builds towards the opening fixtures of the season.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a new one-year contract with Roma, accepting a significant wage reduction from €6.5 million to approximately €2.5 million net as he rejected offers from Turkey and Juventus to remain at the club. The captain completed his medical and formalized the agreement, which includes no extension options. Roma highlighted his decision as a strong commitment to the club's values and sporting vision. Pellegrini has been recovering from a tendon operation performed in early June and working with a personal trainer to regain fitness. He will return to the Trigoria training ground from Tuesday, though the club is taking a cautious approach to his recovery. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed that Pellegrini is expected to return to action in September, targeting availability between the third and fourth Serie A matchdays.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has pledged his long-term future to AS Roma, commenting "for love" on social media as he begins outdoor training today following a late-May setback. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed the captain will be sidelined for at least another month as he works to regain full fitness after Roma's 3-0 defeat at Brighton. When asked whether Roma have strengthened their squad this summer, Gasperini deferred judgment. "I don't know, you tell me," he said. "Even counting up, I think there's still a need for something, but we all know that." The club continues to pursue left-winger targets, though negotiations for Leipzig's Nusa have stalled, and Lyon's Fofana represents another complicated avenue. Progress on Torino's Cacciamani for the midfield flank position has also failed to materialise, while Salah-Eddine remains unavailable after rejecting a move to Olympiacos. On possible departures, Gasperini declined to rule them out but redirected the question to new chief executive Galantic: "There is a new chief executive officer; you can ask him what Roma can or cannot do."

Evan Ferguson could return to Italian football. The 21-year-old Irish striker, currently sidelined by an ankle injury sustained in January, spent time on loan at Roma last season but has not featured since. According to Football Insider, Torino have opened talks with Brighton to sign Ferguson, with the English club open to discussing his departure. Ferguson's Roma spell was disappointing and cut short by injury. He arrived on loan from Brighton during the 2025–26 season but struggled to make an impact before the ankle problem ended his time at the Stadio Olimpico. Torino have identified him as an attacking reinforcement, in a move that coincides with Roma's own interest in acquiring Torino's Cacciamani.

Roma resumed training at the Vale Resort in Wales on 6 August, the day after a friendly victory over Newport County, with vice-president Ryan Friedkin and new CEO Jon Galantic observing the session from the sideline. The pair watched as Gasperini's squad worked through a carefully structured training programme in windy conditions at Hensol. Players who featured against Newport County completed a recovery session in the gym, while the remainder undertook intense field work including a rondo, small-sided matches, and targeted strength and sprint drills focused on acceleration and explosive power. The session's most encouraging development concerned Donyell Malen. The Dutch attacker, who missed the Newport fixture with a fever, returned to group training for the first time. He participated in the opening rondo alongside his teammates before breaking away for individualised work with a member of Gasperini's coaching staff. His return marks an important step in his recovery as Roma continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Roma trained at their Vale Resort base in Wales under the watchful eye of owner Ryan Friedkin and new CEO Jon Galantic on 6 August, the day after a friendly victory against Newport County. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini divided the squad into two groups: those who had featured in the match performed recovery work indoors, while the rest completed rondos, small-sided games and power and sprint drills. Friedkin and Galantic were present at pitchside despite strong winds throughout the session. Donyell Malen featured in the first part of training after recovering from fever that had sidelined him. He trained alongside his teammates before switching to personalised work later in the session. The winger's return to full participation represents a significant boost for Roma as they continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Paulo Dybala sustained a knee injury during Roma's match against Newport after a challenge from Evans. The forward left the pitch requiring ice treatment on his knee. The incident occurred during what proved to be a dominant Roma performance. The match saw strong contributions from other squad members, with Hermoso delivering a notable display and Castro opening his account. Koulierakis marked his debut with a goal as Roma secured a commanding 4–1 victory. Dybala's injury adds to Roma's injury concerns as the squad prepares for the upcoming season. Hermoso outlined the team's readiness for the challenge ahead, stating: "I do what Gasp asks me to do. We are waiting for new reinforcements." Meanwhile, the transfer window remains active, with speculation surrounding potential additions to strengthen the squad.

Roma secured a 4–0 victory over Newport in a pre-season friendly, bouncing back after a previous defeat to Cardiff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the match to experiment with new tactical setups, including deploying Mario Hermoso in midfield—a move that proved effective, with the Spanish defender scoring one goal and providing an assist. Paulo Dybala featured prominently during the club's pre-season preparations, though he was relatively quiet in this particular fixture until sustaining a painful challenge from an opponent. The incident sparked a brief altercation on the pitch. Dybala left the field at full-time with ice on his knee as a precautionary measure following the knock, with no immediate alarm raised about the injury. However, this marks a second match in succession in which Dybala has been targeted aggressively by the opposing defence—a concern given his history with injuries. Roma face Brighton on Saturday.

Wesley has returned to full training with Roma, completing the entire session this morning alongside his teammates. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will decide later whether to include the player in the squad for a friendly match against Newport this evening. The news provides welcome relief after Wesley suffered an ankle sprain on Saturday against Cardiff, which forced him to cut short Sunday's training session. The injury concern appears to have resolved, marking positive progress for Gasperini as Roma prepare for their pre-season fixture. The training development comes as the club continues negotiations in the transfer market, including talks over Read.

Roma trained in Wales on the fourth day of their pre-season camp on 4 August, with the squad set to face Newport later that evening at 19:00 local time (20:00 Italian time). Wesley has recovered from a right ankle problem and completed the full session with the group, putting him in contention for tonight's friendly. Head coach Gasperini will decide whether to risk the Brazilian forward in the match. Niccolò Pisilli remained absent from training. Neil El Aynaoui also returned to group training after resolving a minor left knee issue and is ready to feature. CEO Galantic attended the session at the camp. Wesley's availability provides a significant boost to Roma's attacking options for the friendly, having been sidelined by the ankle injury in preceding days.

Neil El Aynaoui is pushing hard to establish himself as a key figure in Gasperini's Roma midfield. After a mixed previous season that saw him instrumental in the club's late Champions League push, the midfielder returned from Morocco's World Cup campaign with a minor left knee problem but has integrated fully into group training. To accelerate his fitness, he completes additional solo running sessions around the club's training base, working under close supervision from Gasperini's staff. In a behind-closed-doors match two days ago, El Aynaoui scored twice—once with a header from a Cherubini cross and once from distance—as he competes for regular minutes. El Aynaoui arrived from Lens with a goalscoring reputation, having netted 8 goals in 24 matches. Since joining Roma he has managed only two goals—one in Serie A and one in the Europa League—a return that falls short of expectation. Aston Villa has enquired about him, but his future remains with the Giallorossi. Gasperini faces midfield injury problems: Bah has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, Pisilli is still unavailable, and Koné is expected back only on 10 August. Manchester United continue to pursue Koné without having made a concrete move, but El Aynaoui is determined to climb the hierarchy and carve out a leading role in Roma's midfield.

Roma's midfield contingency plans have unravelled during the early stages of pre-season. Niccolò Pisilli suffered a calf injury after only ten days of training at Trigoria and is unlikely to feature in the remaining friendly matches in Wales, while Bryan Cristante also picked up an injury in the opening test against Cardiff. With Manu Koné on extended leave following France's World Cup campaign until 18 July, and Neil El Aynaoui only recently returning after Morocco's quarter-final exit at the same tournament, Roma's midfielder options are severely depleted ahead of the new season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had entered the summer transfer window with a complete and balanced midfield — two senior players per role, plus academy prospects for rotation during pre-season — but injuries have forced a rethink. El Aynaoui's tournament performances have impressed; his Morocco squad reached the quarter-finals and he featured prominently, continuing the form that earned him inclusion in Africa Cup of Nations glory. During his first season in a Roma shirt, the continental competition had limited his early impact, but once his ambition period ended, the number 8 demonstrated strong technical ability, positioning, and defensive work that convinced Gasperini. With only Cristante and El Aynaoui available in midfield before Roma return to Italy, the Moroccan now has a golden opportunity to establish himself in the hierarchy as the 2026–27 campaign approaches.

Devyne Rensch has spoken of his emotional arrival at Roma, telling Romanews.eu from the club's Cardiff training camp: "It is a feeling difficult to explain. These are sensations you don't experience often but only in very special moments. When I signed for Roma it was a special moment for me and so the emotions came out. My mother was crying too and that is one of the reasons why that moment was so special." Midfielder Muhammed Bah suffered a serious setback during the same training spell, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after 26 minutes of the friendly against Cardiff City. The 2007-born player will undergo surgery in Switzerland with Dr Georg Ahlbäumer, with recovery estimated at approximately nine months. Bah had suffered the same injury once before in 2024. Elsewhere, Roma are accelerating their pursuit of right-back Givairo Read from Feyenoord as their primary target for the flank. The club has tabled an offer of €25 million and an agreement in principle has been reached with the player; further contact with Feyenoord is expected in the coming days to advance the deal. Winger Wesley withdrew from training after just ten minutes but Roma's medical staff reported no serious alarm, describing it as a minor issue to manage in the coming days. His early exit had been pre-arranged with the coaching team. Paulo Dybala was singled out as one of the few Roma players performing well in the Cardiff friendly loss.

Roma's Argentine contingent of Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro were spotted together during the club's training camp in Wales, continuing a tradition established two years earlier when Leandro Paredes formed part of the group at Burton. The three players share close ties—Soulé and Castro work with the same fitness coach, Guido Viggiano, and spent part of their summer break together in Argentina. Their bond was evident during a friendly against Cardiff, when both Soulé and Castro protested to the referee over a challenge on Castro, with Lorenzo Pellegrini stepping in as captain to mediate. The incident had blown over by the following day, with the pair joking together while watching training from the gym. Soulé's position within that circle faces jeopardy, however. The winger has been available for transfer since early June, with Roma seeking a buyer despite rejections from interested Saudi Arabian clubs and only tentative approaches from German and English sides. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical deployment in the Cardiff match offered a telling sign: Soulé was stationed on the left wing rather than his previous season's right-wing role, with Dybala occupying the primary position on that flank. Should Soulé depart, it could unlock the path to signing Endrick, though academy prospect Mastantuono has failed to convince. Elsewhere, young defender Bah suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and faces approximately nine months on the sidelines. Wesley remains unavailable and will miss tomorrow's fixture against Newport. Niccolò Pisilli is sidelined pending another scan next week, with hopes of rejoining group training the following week. In mercato news, Roma awaits a response regarding Read, with an agreement with Feyenoord edging close—approximately 2 million euros remain under negotiation.

Niccolò Pisilli has dismissed speculation about leaving AS Roma, stating he has never considered a move away from the club. Speaking in an exclusive interview from Roma's pre-season camp in Wales, the 21-year-old midfielder said: "Que yo sepa questa estate non è arrivato nulla. Non ho mai avuto in testa altre cose che non siano la Roma. Non ho mai avuto questo pensiero" — meaning he has had no thoughts of leaving despite transfer rumours in January and during the current window. Pisilli, currently sidelined by injury and awaiting further scans ahead of an expected return next week, reflected on last season as formative. He played sparingly early in the campaign before earning more minutes, and is targeting a breakthrough year. "My objective, as I've always said, is to work and improve myself every day," he explained. "I'm 21 years old and have my whole career ahead, so this is the moment to work, improve, and learn as much as possible to become a more complete and mature player." On Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract situation, Pisilli expressed hope the captain renews with Roma. "Lorenzo is a very strong player, we all know that. We hope he renews and we're waiting for him with open arms," he said. Pisilli also stressed the responsibility of wearing the Roma shirt, saying the 70,000 fans at the Olimpico demand the same commitment from every player regardless of background.

Roma returned to training in Wales following a defeat to Cardiff, with Wesley forced off the pitch after just ten minutes. The Brazilian left-back's early departure was pre-arranged with the medical staff and caused no particular alarm; he is carrying only a minor issue to manage in the coming days, not a serious injury. Wesley has endured a difficult injury history over the past year. In March 2026 he suffered a serious muscle injury—a right biceps femoris lesion sustained with Brazil—which sidelined him for four weeks. He had previously stopped training in September 2025 with left knee inflammation that ruled him out of a Bolivia fixture. In June 2026, a left adductor injury sustained in a friendly against Egypt forced him to miss the World Cup. The laterals' fitness remains central to Roma's pre-season preparations as the squad continues its training camp in Wales.

Roma resumed training in their Welsh retreat following a 4–1 friendly defeat to Cardiff, with head coach Gasperini overseeing double sessions as the squad prepares for the start of the season. Defender Wesley suffered a minor right ankle discomfort during the afternoon session and stopped after around ten minutes, though the medical staff expressed no serious concern. The squad also managed absences—Bah was unavailable—while Niccolò Pisilli continued separate recovery work from a calf injury. Central defender Koulierakis, freshly signed from Wolfsburg, lifted spirits by training with his new teammates immediately upon arrival. The new recruit displayed considerable enthusiasm for joining Roma, describing his move as immediate and showing genuine emotion about the prospect of working under Gasperini and experiencing the atmosphere and warmth of the Roma fans.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has been a free agent for 33 days and missed the second part of Gian Piero Gasperini's pre-season retreat, with no contract signature yet in place. An agreement has been reached in principle for a two-year deal with an option for a third year at 2.5 million euros annually, but final ratification requires approval from the Friedkin Group, which has not yet arrived. The ownership wanted to grant Pellegrini another season on similar terms to Paulo Dybala, but the Roma captain's demands differed from the initial offer. The Friedkin Group's hold-up centres on the contract structure rather than willingness to keep him. Pellegrini is currently training alone after a recurrence of a right rectus femoris tendon injury, which prompted a check-up visit in Finland. He is ready to rejoin the main squad and hopes to do so upon Roma's return from Wales. Head coach Gasperini is also waiting for the deal to be finalised. Juventus and Besiktas had previously courted Pellegrini, but Roma remain his likely destination once the Friedkin Group gives the green light.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed sporting director Tony D'Amico to secure immediate signings in attack and on the flanks following Roma's defeat to Cardiff, though financial constraints threaten to complicate a broad overhaul. The telephone conversation between Gasperini and D'Amico underscored the need to complete the squad rapidly, with targets identified including Endrick, Read, and Antonio Nusa. However, the cost of these profiles conflicts with the club's financial reality, making large-scale investment difficult without significant sales such as Matías Soulé. Roma's wing options have deteriorated after Wesley suffered an ankle injury and Zeki Çelik departed unexpectedly, leaving the right flank to Devyne Rensch alone. D'Amico is accelerating contact for Givairo Read of Feyenoord to fill the gap and meet Gasperini's demands. An agreement with the player has already been reached, and Roma is prepared to offer up to 30 million euros to overcome the Dutch club's resistance.

Roma completed their third preseason fixture in their Welsh training camp with a friendly against Cardiff that yielded little of competitive value but offered Gasperini insights into younger players, notably Lulli. The match left two concerning legacies: the injury to midfielder Bah, a 2007-born player who has featured regularly in preseason friendlies due to absences elsewhere in the squad, and a troublesome impact on Roma's midfield depth. Bah sustained a right knee distortion injury during the first half and underwent an MRI scan today to determine the severity of the damage. The midfielder previously suffered an 11-month cruciate ligament injury in 2024. Roma's midfield picture remains the most acute concern for Gasperini heading into tomorrow's fixture against Newport, with Koné and El Aynaoui still recovering from World Cup commitments and Pisilli managing an injury. By contrast, defence has strengthened: new arrival Koulierakis trained with the squad immediately and may see minutes as Gasperini assesses his characteristics. Following training yesterday, Gasperini held a meeting with newly appointed CEO Galantic at the training base. Roma's Welsh preseason work continues through a combination of tactical drills and small-sided matches.

Koulierakis trained with Roma for the first time on 2 August after arriving at Vale Resort, declaring himself eager to contribute to the club. "I am truly very happy to be here. The welcome has been fantastic," the Greek defender said. "When my agent told me Roma was interested, I responded immediately: 'Yes, let's go'. I want to do my best to become part of this great Italian club. I had no doubt whatsoever." Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain on Saturday during Perry Ng's penalty-kick incident and attempted to train but signalled to Gasperini he was unable to continue. No alarm is warranted, though he is expected to sit out Tuesday's match against Newport to avoid reinjury. Pisilli remains sidelined with a calf problem sustained ten days earlier. El Aynaoui has a minor left knee discomfort but nothing troubling. Bah will undergo an MRI scan on 3 August to assess the extent of his right knee injury. In the transfer market, Roma continues to push for Read. The Dutch winger played the full 90 minutes in a friendly against Atalanta on 2 August but remains committed to joining Roma. His club has rejected an opening bid of €23 million plus €2 million in bonuses, demanding €30 million instead. 3 August could prove decisive in reaching agreement. Roma is also pursuing Cacciamani at Torino and exploring attacking options—Nusa is preferred but his cost complicates matters, while Endrick is also under consideration. Koné has drawn interest from Manchester United, though Arsenal has dropped out of the race. Kumbulla is heading to Rayo Vallecano.

Neil El Aynaoui withdrew from a Roma training session in Wales on 2 August to undertake an extended run around the resort, but stopped when he felt knee discomfort. Gasperini's staff asked whether he wished to halt, after which he resumed running. El Aynaoui returned from holiday on Friday and has joined Roma's pre-season preparations in Wales. The brief interruption reflects the squad's ongoing work in their mid-summer training camp as the 2026–27 season approaches.