Dutch World Cup 2026 Squad Features Three Serie A Players, Including Roma's Donyell Malen

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.

Maurizio Setti, former Verona president, has praised Tony D'Amico—recently appointed to Roma's sporting structure alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini—as a capable director with strong player-selection instincts and two decades of football experience. Setti highlighted D'Amico's understated approach and his ability to work harmoniously between ownership and the pitch, noting that D'Amico performed this role effectively at Atalanta, where he acted as a filter between the club's management and technical operations. Setti cautioned that Roma faces a unique challenge in Italian football, stating: "The only spectre he will have to be careful about is Romanità; it is extremely difficult to do football in Rome because there are positive or negative influences." He suggested the club's primary weakness is not strategic incompetence but rather a lack of people driven by genuine passion for results. "Roma is missing not presidents like me, but people who wake up in the morning and would kill to achieve results," Setti said. He also noted that Roma has historically suffered from too many decision-makers without a single daily commander on the pitch to enforce the ownership's vision. Regarding next season, Setti believes Roma could become a serious title contender if the transfer market is handled well, particularly in attack—an area Gasperini will reportedly prioritize. He expressed confidence in D'Amico's recruitment abilities, citing his success bringing players like Donyell Malen to the club.

Mason Greenwood, Marseille's forward, is Roma's primary transfer target this summer. Head coach Gasperini has personally reached out to Greenwood's representatives to test his availability. The club plans to structure the deal by completing a sale first, then making a significant investment to bring the English attacker to the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini views Greenwood as a top-tier offensive winger whose pace, goal-scoring ability, and technical quality would provide the finishing touch Roma needs alongside Donyell Malen on the wing. Roma has rejected other candidates, including Alajbegovic, deemed too expensive relative to the squad's requirements for an immediately available player. Summerville of West Ham remains on a shortlist of alternatives, though no other names are publicly detailed. The club's strategy prioritizes securing two elite attacking partners for Malen rather than addressing backup options immediately. Any secondary recruitment can wait until primary objectives are achieved. The transfer operation hinges on Roma's ability to offload players and generate funds for what would represent a substantial outlay in the current market.

AC Milan leads Serie A clubs at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with nine players competing in the tournament, which begins on 11 June across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Atalanta, Juventus, and Inter follow closely with seven players each, while Roma ranks fifth with six representatives: Malen, Wesley, Koné, El Aynoaui, Celik, and Ndicka. Lazio has no players competing in the tournament, finishing last among Serie A clubs—behind even the three teams relegated this season and level only with Lecce and newly promoted Monza. The World Cup representation reflects each club's depth and international standing heading into the competition. Roma's six-player contingent demonstrates significant presence at the global tournament despite Italy's absence from the finals. The tournament offers an opportunity for these Serie A players to showcase their abilities on the world stage before the 2026–27 domestic season begins.