Roma and Mancini: Love continues as contract renewal approaches

Roma players Wesley and Zeki Celik have been selected to start for their respective national teams in final World Cup preparation matches. Wesley was chosen by Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti to feature at right-back in a clash against Egypt in Cleveland, continuing his run as a regular starter after appearing in Brazil's 6–2 victory over Panama. Celik, meanwhile, was named in Turkey's lineup against Venezuela in Miami, with the former Lille defender also handed the captain's armband by manager Vincenzo Montella. Both selections underline the growing importance of the Roma pair at international level as their countries enter the final stages of World Cup preparation. Wesley has now established himself as Brazil's primary choice at right-back for the tournament, while Celik's captaincy represents a mark of trust from Montella. The matches served as the latest in a series of final tests before the World Cup proper began, with nations across multiple confederations conducting warm-up fixtures on the same evening to assess their readiness for the competition.

Niccolò Pisilli, the AS Roma midfielder, will wear the number 21 shirt as Italy faces Greece in a friendly international match. The 20-year-old had a strong end to the season with Roma and featured in Italy's previous friendly against Luxembourg. He is among the most important players in the squad selected by manager Baldini for this international window. Pisilli's selection underscores Italy's focus on developing young talent following their exclusion from the World Cup for the third consecutive time after a defeat to Bosnia. The number assignments remain unchanged from the Luxembourg match three days earlier, with other players including Donnarumma (1), Ndour (10), and Koleosho (11) also confirmed. Palestra and Cherubini have departed the squad. The fixture against Greece comes as part of Italy's rebuilding phase under Baldini, with Pisilli positioned as a key figure in the midfielder's regeneration. The full squad numbering for the Greece match has been confirmed, with 24 players listed in total for this phase of international fixtures.

Massimo Tarantino, currently head of Inter's youth academy, was set to return to AS Roma as head of the club's youth sector but the move collapsed following Claudio Ranieri's departure as manager. Tarantino had been poised to rejoin Roma with his contract reportedly near finalization when the changes in the club's leadership derailed the deal. The departure of Ranieri and another senior figure ended what had appeared to be an agreed arrangement. Roma is now searching for a new youth sector director following the breakdown. Valentino Angeloni from Fiorentina and Alessandro Frara are currently in contention for the role, with Angeloni reportedly the preferred candidate at this stage. Tony D'Amico is also set to join Roma's backroom staff in another capacity, pending official confirmation. When asked about the failed move at the Serie A Festival in Parma, Tarantino remarked: "What happened with Roma? These are things that happen in football, there was an opportunity that did not materialize. Now I continue my work with Inter, I'm happy to do it at such a club and I'm focused and concentrated exclusively on Inter."

Amantino Mancini, a former Roma winger, has praised Wesley's first season at the club during an interview on Radio Romanista. Mancini highlighted Wesley's intensity, work rate, and offensive capabilities as a left-sided player, noting that the Brazilian has settled well into Roman football. Mancini said: "Wesley me is always liked, I like his characteristics, how he moves on the pitch. I said when Roma was acquiring him that it would be very useful, because he is of great intensity, never stops. He has the characteristics of all Brazilian full-backs who are very offensive. Maybe he leaves something to be desired defensively because even I when I arrived at Roma played as a full-back and improved thanks to Capello. Wesley has fitted in very well at Roma, many Brazilians at Roma settled immediately because the climate and the support are very similar to those in Brazil. Wesley took advantage of this period and had a wonderful season." Mancini drew parallels with his own career transition, recalling how moving from right to left-back under Spalletti transformed his game. He predicted Wesley will continue on the left flank next season but warned that opponents have now studied him closely. Mancini also expressed confidence in head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's ability to guide Roma's next phase, emphasizing the need for experienced signings to strengthen the squad for Champions League football. He suggested Roma should make two or three strategic acquisitions to elevate the team's competitive level in European competition.

Manu Koné is among AS Roma's list of players who could be sold before the 30 June deadline, as the club needs to generate approximately €50 million in capital gains. The French midfielder has attracted initial enquiries from Premier League clubs, while Inter Milan has withdrawn from the race. Inter had previously attempted to sign Koné last summer with an offer reported around €45 million, but Roma rejected it. The Milan club is not prioritizing him now, with manager Chivu preferring Liverpool's Jones instead. Koné's potential departure reflects Roma's financial requirements heading into the transfer window. The midfielder, currently on international duty at the World Cup, is among the squad's most valuable assets. Inter is also not expected to pursue a deal for Gianluca Mancini, who is close to renewing his contract with Roma. Once new sporting director D'Amico is officially announced, the market activity is expected to accelerate. Details remain unclear on the timeline for his appointment or the scale of Roma's transfer activity beyond the financial targets.

Roma's announcement of Tony D'Amico as a new staff member continues to be delayed, though an official statement is expected soon. D'Amico remains in Bergamo finalizing the last details with Atalanta. Roma will not be required to pay any release clause to secure the executive, and optimism surrounds the move. Once the official announcement arrives, Roma will request a regulatory waiver to allow D'Amico to begin work immediately, given the workload ahead. D'Amico's first priority will be contract renewals for Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Çelik. The club also aims to complete player departures before the 30 June deadline. Ziolkowski may leave the club, while reports of Inter pursuing Gianluca Mancini have been dismissed. Mancini is keen to remain at Roma and is close to signing a contract extension through 2029. Details remain unclear on the exact timeline for the announcement, though Roma's expectation is that it will arrive within the coming days.