Venezia target El Shaarawy as free agent; Genoa seeks discount on Baldanzi

Jeremías Lazaro, a 2004-born midfielder at Argentine club Instituto Córdoba, revealed that Paulo Dybala contacted him via video call through a mutual connection to offer representation services. Lazaro declined the offer, as he had already signed with another agent, but praised Dybala for providing advice during a period when he was playing little. Lazaro said of their conversation: "With him I had a chat, we spoke on Instagram, I made a video call with him because, well, he wanted to be my representative. But I had already signed with my current agent. Obviously we remained on excellent terms, there's a desire to meet at some point, which will surely happen. But I'm really happy because he's a fantastic person. He gave me a lot of advice and, honestly, talking to him reassured me." Dybala founded a Milan-based consulting firm called La Favorita srl over two years ago, which manages athlete image rights, endorsements, and intellectual property across multiple platforms including artificial intelligence and blockchain-based assets like NFTs. The venture reflects Dybala's broader business interests beyond his playing career at Roma, similar to how Francesco Totti established his own management company. The arrangement shows Dybala is actively building a portfolio in sports representation and consulting, positioning himself for post-playing opportunities in football management and athlete advocacy.

AS Roma's pursuit of a new sporting director is approaching conclusion. Tony D'Amico is currently in Bergamo negotiating the termination of his contract with Atalanta, a necessary step before he can officially join Roma as director of sport. The two clubs have yet to reach full agreement, however, with D'Amico expected to forfeit certain monthly payments as part of the exit deal. Atalanta president Luca Percassi is reportedly unwilling to expedite the arrangement, which may delay D'Amico's arrival at Roma until 1 July, when he will gain full decision-making authority at the club. Meanwhile, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini continues to pursue English winger Mason Greenwood as a primary transfer target. Marseille has set Greenwood's asking price at €55 million. Should that move prove unfeasible, Roma has identified Peixoto (referred to as Paixão in transfer discussions) as a backup option. Complications have also emerged at Fenerbahçe, where uncertainty surrounds which of two candidates will secure the English player's signature.

Valentino Angeloni, head of Fiorentina's youth academy, has publicly distanced himself from a potential move to AS Roma. Speaking at the Serie A Festival in Parma, Angeloni made clear his intention to remain in Florence and focus on his work with the club's leadership. Roma had been searching for a new youth sector director following the departure of Claudio Ranieri and the collapse of an agreement with Massimo Tarantino. Angeloni's rejection eliminates one of the primary candidates on Roma's shortlist, which also included Frara. Despite acknowledging Roma's prestige and his personal connection to the capital—he was born in Rome and played for Roma as a child—Angeloni emphasized his commitment to Fiorentina's project. He stated: "I'm staying in Florence, and that's my wish. The Roma rumours are flattering, of course—I was born in Rome and played as a child at Roma with Anzalone, it's an important club, but so is Fiorentina and I'm focused on what I've done, must do, and will do here. I'm working with Paratici and his entire department on Fiorentina's future. I'm very focused on what I'm doing, I like it very much, in a fantastic environment." The development marks another setback in Roma's efforts to rebuild their youth academy structure after recent managerial transitions.

Roma announced Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach on 6 June 2025, marking the start of his first season in charge. The club achieved Champions League qualification, with El Shaarawy among the goal scorers during the campaign. Gasperini's appointment came following the departure of Claudio Ranieri, who had managed the club in the 2024–25 season. The 'condottiero' (commander) has guided Roma towards European football's elite competition in his inaugural year, fulfilling a key objective for the Friedkin Group ownership.

Influencer Ludovica Pagani shared social media content featuring comedic match commentary of a Roma goal against Verona, with Roma player El Shaarawy reacting positively to the moment. The pair were traveling together in Los Angeles, where they filmed the content for TikTok. Pagani captioned the video with "How our summer will sound," suggesting a lighthearted tone to the shared moment. The post highlights the growing intersection between Roma players and social media personalities, demonstrating how match moments are repurposed for entertainment content beyond traditional broadcast channels. El Shaarawy's participation in the video underscores the informal, off-pitch side of modern football culture. Details of the specific Verona match and the context of the goal remain unclear from the available information. The content appears to have been created some time after the actual match was played, given the Los Angeles setting and casual framing of the video.

Gonzalo Villar, the Spanish midfielder currently with Elche, took to social media to congratulate AS Roma on securing Champions League qualification after a 7-year absence. Roma clinched the achievement on the previous evening during a match at Verona, with El Shaarawy scoring a second goal in the victory. Upon the team's arrival at Rome's Fiumicino airport, where 500 fans gathered to celebrate, Villar joined the festivities despite having left the club in summer 2023. Villar's message reflected his enduring connection to Roma. He posted on social media: "Forever a Roma fan, well done!!!" The gesture underscores the emotional bonds that often persist between players and their former clubs, particularly one as storied as AS Roma. Villar's departure in 2023 marked the end of his time in the Giallorossi, yet his support demonstrates the loyalty many players feel toward the Stadio Olimpico and its supporters. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has led the side back to European football's elite competition after an extended absence, representing a significant achievement for the club.