In a bold move that signals a new era at Roma, Gian Piero Gasperini has emerged victorious from his power struggle with Claudio Ranieri and is now firmly in control of the club's transfer strategy. The experienced tactician's first priority? Keeping the band together.
According to Sky Sports, Gasperini is pushing to extend the contracts of all Roma players currently approaching free agency. This ambitious plan includes not just star names like Paulo Dybala and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, but also fringe players Zeki Celik and Stephan El Shaarawy—both of whom appeared to have one foot out the door just weeks ago.
It's a surprising shift for a club that had been looking to trim its wage bill. Dybala, affectionately known as "La Joya," is Roma's highest earner by a significant margin—a financial commitment that has raised eyebrows given his well-documented injury struggles. For any deal to work, both the Argentine maestro and Pellegrini would need to accept substantial pay cuts. Meanwhile, Celik, emboldened by an impressive campaign, is actually seeking a raise.
Corriere dello Sport reports that Gasperini is particularly taken with the tight-knit atmosphere and harmony within his squad. The gaffer believes preserving this chemistry is crucial for sustained success. While extension talks briefly stalled during a recent rough patch, the club has already locked down Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini with new deals—a clear sign of the direction Gasperini wants to take.
Despite swirling rumors of a return to Argentina, Dybala has not yet reached an agreement with Boca Juniors. The World Cup winner is reportedly happy to spend another year in the Eternal City and has made Roma his priority. For now, it seems the feeling might be mutual.
However, these delicate negotiations come at a complicated time, with the club's sporting director position in flux. Patience will be key, and a return to Champions League football could provide the financial flexibility needed to make Gasperini's vision a reality. For Roma fans, the message is clear: the Gaffer is building something special, and he wants everyone along for the ride.