Milan passed up the opportunity to sign Donyell Malen in January, with the Dutch striker having since transformed Roma’s attack under Gian Piero Gasperini and emerged as one of Serie A’s most effective forwards in the second half of the season.
According to CalcioMercato, an intermediary offered Malen to Milan during the winter window, but the club declined to commit to an operation worth a total of around €27 million.
Instead, Roma secured the former Aston Villa forward on an onerous loan of approximately €2 million, with an obligation to buy that will be triggered should the Giallorossi qualify for next season’s Europa League or Champions League.
VERONA, ITALY – APRIL 19: Igli Tare, Sporting Director, looks on prior to the Serie A match at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on April 19, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Malen form at Roma highlights Milan’s costly January miscalculation
The numbers make for uncomfortable reading from a Milan perspective.
Since joining Roma, Malen has scored 11 goals and contributed two assists in 15 Serie A appearances, adding a further assist in the Europa League against Bologna.
The Dutchman left Aston Villa seeking a club that would trust him as an out-and-out centre-forward rather than a wide attacker, and Gasperini’s direct, vertical system has brought out the best in him.
Milan’s January business, by contrast, yielded little. Sporting director Igli Tare operated without a significant budget, and the arrival of Niclas Fullkrug, the only notable attacking addition, has produced just one goal, against Lecce.
Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing Roma to secure contract renewals for four out-of-contract players this summer, including Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, both of whom have been linked with Inter Milan, while Zeki Celik has also attracted interest from Liverpool.
According to Sky Sport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the recent departures of Claudio Ranieri and sporting director Frederic Massara have actually brought the squad closer together, with Gasperini using that unity to press the club for a clean sweep of renewals.
Alongside Dybala, Pellegrini and Celik, winger Stephan El Shaarawy is also out of contract, with all four previously considered likely to leave at the end of the season.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 25: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Gasperini pushes Roma board to retain key quartet despite summer uncertainty
The situation has shifted, however, with Gasperini now understood to want all four players kept at the club.
His desire to retain them comes amid significant external interest, especially at zero cost.
Celik has been linked with both Inter and Liverpool, while Pellegrini has also been mentioned in connection with the Nerazzurri.
Dybala, meanwhile, has been repeatedly linked with a return to Argentina to join Boca Juniors.
Keeping hold of these players would be a significant mark of strength from Roma, especially as fans feel many still have something to give to the club.
Losing any of them, especially to a division rival like Inter, would be a huge blow, especially as
Roma are still very much in the race for the Champions League. After securing a comfortable 4-0 home win against Fiorentina on Monday, the Giallorossi are just one point below fourth-placed Juventus with three games remaining.
Roma 4-0 Fiorentina: Gasperini’s post-match press conference
“I’ve always received important answers from these lads, who have always wanted to improve themselves,” the Roma boss said via Corriere dello Sport.
“We’ve always had a strong attachment, and I see even more in these last few games. We’ve never given up; we didn’t have a target, so we set it ourselves.
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammate Matias Soule during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“We know that by recovering some players, we can have our say, we get to the final rush with confidence, but we’ve always been there.
“At the end of the season, we’ll have to talk to avoid the misunderstandings we’ve had. We need clarity,” he added.
“Perhaps we didn’t understand each other well. Now we are there, and we’ll fight.”
Roma parted ways with Senior Advisor Claudio Ranieri two weeks ago, effectively reinforcing Gasperini’s powers within the club.
Sporting director Frederic Massara is also expected to leave the Stadio Olimpico at the end of the season, with Gasp previously admitting that he and the club executive had had different views throughout the current campaign.
“We want to gift a result beyond predictions, and this strongly motivates us. This team’s strength is the unity in the dressing room, and it bothers me to think that this group is only worthy of a fifth- or sixth-place finish,” Gasp continued.
“This is a strong team with solid foundations. There are values that must be strengthened and not wasted. I respect everyone’s opinions, but I must work with my ideas. If I have to work with other ideas, I’d rather find another place.”
Roma will face Lazio in the penultimate round of the season. Even if the date and kick-off time have yet to be officially confirmed, Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli has hinted that the match will be played on May 17 at 12:30 CET.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri looked unhappy with the kick-off time decided by Lega Serie A and threatened not to go on the bench for the derby.
“Perhaps it will rain. It won’t be hot. The problem is that there aren’t any other times available,” Gasp said.
“Nobody is happy with that kick-off time. I’ve been told that we can’t play in the evening. Monday at 18:00 [CET] would be even worse, and then there’s the matter of games played simultaneously. You’ll see, Sarri will be there eventually.”
Paolo Vanoli admits Fiorentina still look ‘fragile’ after a 4-0 defeat to Roma, but mustn’t forget how far they’ve come. ‘It really was a catastrophe when I arrived.’
It is entirely possible that Fiorentina started the match breathing a sigh of relief, because just minutes before taking to the field, they heard that Cremonese had lost 2-1 at home to Lazio.
That almost guarantees that the Tuscans are safe from the threat of relegation, a remarkable achievement considering they were rock bottom when Vanoli took the job.
Vanoli sees same Fiorentina issues
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Jack Harrison of ACF Fiorentina and Wesley of AS Roma battle for possession of the ball during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“The fact is, we switched off completely after their first goal, also thanks to a great performance from Roma, so we must congratulate them this evening.”
The Viola looked shell-shocked in the opening minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, going 2-0 down within 17 minutes with a Gianluca Mancini free header and Wesley sweeping in, then Mario Hermoso’s tap-in and another header by Niccolò Pisilli completed the 4-0 rout.
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Wesley of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“We’ve had a great run to get here, we’ve got to keep our heads up, because mistakes happen and at times this fragility comes back out, like it did against Udinese.”
When already 3-0 down, the Fiorentina coach took a risk and introduced youth team striker Riccardo Braschi, who within 60 seconds had thumped the base of the upright.
Considering Moise Kean and Roberto Piccoli are out injured, could the teenager get more opportunity for the rest of this season?
“I would’ve been happier for him if he had scored, but we had many young players with us this season and I’ve always tried to give them a chance. You need to let these lads grow, he is working hard in training and showed some of what he can do tonight.”
Braschi replaced Albert Gudmundsson at half-time, who continues to look like a shadow of the player who was signed from Genoa.
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Albert Gudmundsson of ACF Fiorentina passes the ball while under pressure from Bryan Cristante of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“It is not all his fault, because he’s been moved around in a few different positions lately. If he was supporting a centre-forward, it would go better for him, but we were in an emergency situation and he has been helping out,” insisted Vanoli.
“I think he played well against Sassuolo and if he had scored, people might’ve evaluated his performance differently.”
Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici said before kick-off that he would sit down with Vanoli to discuss the future after safety had been secured, as it remains unlikely that he will stay on as coach.
“We’ll discuss it once we are guaranteed safety. I said when I arrived that avoiding relegation was going to be our Scudetto, we are nearly there and just need that final push to close the situation completely.
“We must be focused exclusively on the present and the remaining games,” added Vanoli.
If he was replaced after climbing the table in difficult circumstances, would he consider it an injustice?
“Absolutely not! A club has to make its evaluations, and when I arrived everyone was frightened by the prospect of relegation, it really was a catastrophe. We had four points and nobody had managed to avoid the drop with zero victories in the first 11 rounds.
“The job is not done, then the club and I too will evaluate for the future. As I’ve always said, I would be happy to continue the process,” concluded the coach.
Gian Piero Gasperini insists he always knew Roma could get back into the hunt for the top four after hammering Fiorentina 4-0. ‘We cannot afford a mistake, but we’re in good shape.’
It was a dominant performance at the Stadio Olimpico, as the Giallorossi were already 3-0 up by half-time thanks to Gianluca Mancini’s free header, Wesley, and Mario Hermoso.
The 4-0 scoreline was rounded out after the break by Niccolò Pisilli on a Donyell Malen assist, the Dutchman hitting the woodwork twice.
Gasperini always had faith in Roma
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammate Matias Soule during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“We’ve changed our attack since midway through the season, so scored many more than in the first half, though we also conceded quite a few more too,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“It was good to score with four different players and some good moves. We are in a good period of form, though games are all very balanced and difficult, we know that we cannot afford a mistake to still have a chance, but we are in good shape.”
The coach always believed in their ability to get back into the hunt for fourth.
“I saw that we had the possibility of getting players back, that with a complete team we could get a run of results and had much stronger potential.”
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Albert Gudmundsson of ACF Fiorentina passes the ball while under pressure from Bryan Cristante of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
This result means Roma are now just one point behind fourth-placed Juventus, and within three of Milan in third, so the fight for Champions League qualification is blown wide open.
Como are also still in the running, as they are in sixth place on 62 points, just two behind the Giallorossi.
“This is a very strong squad, above all I never had to keep a tight grip on them, because from the first day I arrived they were fully focused. I never had a problem with their mentality, and the response seen in recent weeks has been even more determined.
“There is great unity between myself and the players, we will try to achieve a target that we wanted strongly from the start.”
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Donyell Malen of AS Roma is challenged by Marin Pongracic of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
The arrival of Malen in January from Aston Villa has undoubtedly transformed the squad, but the future of the Roma attack is looking very uncertain, especially as Paulo Dybala’s contract is running down.
“We were missing Dybala and Soulé for long periods this season due to injury, El Shaarawy was out for a while too, we were haemorrhaging strikers for a while, including long-term absentees like Dovbyk and Ferguson who fell off the radar,” added Gasperini.
“Despite everything, these lads gave their all in every game, so I cannot fault their attitude, and today they seem stronger than ever. There are three games to play, we know that we have to achieve the maximum and hope someone else slips up.”
Manu Kone made his return to the starting XI today for the first time since a muscular injury in mid-March.
“For long spells, this team had the best defensive record in Europe. We lost a few players and paid a price for that, but we’re starting to get everyone back now, the team that we had at the start plus Malen. In these conditions, obviously it is easier to get results.”
Considering representatives of the Friedkin family were in the stands today, is Gasperini discussing how to improve this squad for next season?
“As I said, I am focused on the present, then the moment will come when we can talk about the future.”
The race for Champions League qualification could go down to the wire, as there are now only five points separating Milan, Juventus, Roma and Como in the Serie A table.
The top four go into the Champions League from Serie A, and while Inter are guaranteed their spot in first place and Napoli have a fairly healthy lead, the other two are going to be very tight.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – APRIL 17: Nico Paz of Como 1907 looks on during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Como 1907 at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on April 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The Week 35 fixtures have completely transformed the situation, as Milan lost to Sassuolo, while Juventus, Napoli and Como all played stalemates.
Napoli now have 70 points, Milan 67, Juventus 65, Roma 64, and Como 62.
Let’s take a look at the remaining Serie A fixtures for what could be a battle to the end.
Serie A fixtures
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Roma swept Fiorentina aside for a comfortable 4-0 victory that put them one point off fourth-placed Juventus, but the Viola can feel safe from relegation anyway.
The Giallorossi suddenly found themselves right back in the race for Champions League spots after Juventus, Milan, Napoli and Como stalled. Manu Kone returned for his first start since March 19, with Paulo Dybala only fit for the bench, missing suspended Neil El Aynaoui, injured Lorenzo Pellegrini, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson.
The Viola were without Moise Kean, Roberto Piccoli, Niccolò Fortini and Tariq Lamptey, though Robin Gosens and Fabiano Parisi returned. As Cremonese lost in the early kick-off, the Tuscans were practically safe from relegation.
Donyell Malen took on a crowd of defenders and his shot was deflected off Luca Ranieri to loop up onto the top of the crossbar. Roma scored from the resulting Niccolò Pisilli corner, which found Gianluca Mancini unmarked for the glancing header from six yards.
The second goal came soon after, as Pisilli went on the counter, it was spread from right to left via Matias Soulé and Mario Hermoso until Wesley swept in first-time with the inside of the right boot from just inside the area.
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Wesley of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Fiorentina were extremely sluggish, as Manu Kone brushed past Nicolò Fagioli to pull back from the by-line for Hermoso’s easiest of tap-ins from a couple of yards.
Malen tested David De Gea at the near post, but the Viola started to wake up towards half-time, as the Fagioli volley was deflected over for a corner.
Fiorentina made a triple change at half-time, including youth team striker Riccardo Braschi, who within 60 seconds had fired his shot onto the base of the upright.
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Donyell Malen of AS Roma is challenged by Marin Pongracic of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma also came close when Malen took on three defenders, his finish was deflected and De Gea fingertipped it onto the crossbar.
Fiorentina struggled to get a ball clear, until Malen stood it up with a trivela cross off the outside of the right boot for Pisilli’s header at the back post.
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammate Matias Soule during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Robinio Vaz didn’t react quickly enough to get on the end of a Zeki Celik low cross-shot.
This could be a big crossroads in the campaign, because as Juventus and Como were both held to draws, it gives Roma the opportunity to close within a point of fourth place and Champions League qualification.
Neil El Aynaoui is suspended, with Lorenzo Pellegrini, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson injured, plus Manu Kone, Zeki Celik and Bryan Zaragoza not at 100 per cent.
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Matias Soule of AS Roma gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Como 1907 at Stadio Olimpico on December 15, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Paulo Dybala had been tipped for a return to the starting XI for the first time since January 25, making his comeback as a substitute in the 2-0 win away to Bologna, but he is again on the bench.
It’s barely been possible to see the front three of Malen, Dybala and Soulé start together.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Fiorentina are practically safe, but want one more push to be absolutely sure of escaping the relegation zone after a seven-round unbeaten Serie A run.
Their last two were stalemates against Sassuolo and Lecce, but Moise Kean, Roberto Piccoli, Niccolò Fortini and Tariq Lamptey are all still injured.
Robin Gosens and Fabiano Parisi are back in the squad, but Albert Gudmundsson has to be a False 9 with Jack Harrison and Manor Solomon in support.
Recent reports suggest that Paulo Dybala will switch from Roma to Boca Juniors in the summer, which means La Joya will be one of the stars to watch in the Superclasico against River Plate in 2026-27.
Dybala’s Roma contract expires at the end of the season, and it is no secret that the Argentine star, a 2022 World Cup winner, is attracted by the idea of playing for Boca Juniors one day.
His possible move to the Bombonera will likely have a big impact on Bet on Superclasico, as Dybala has been one of the best players in Serie A and across Europe in the last decade.
The exciting attacker has scored 131 goals in 366 Serie A matches playing for Palermo, Juventus and Roma in Italy’s top flight.
His latest season at the Stadio Olimpico has been marred by injuries, limiting him to just 23 appearances across all competitions and three goals.
Dybala joined Roma on a free transfer from Juventus in the summer of 2022 and has scored 45 goals in 136 games with the Giallorossi.
Gasperini has often praised Dybala in the current campaign, especially in the first half, when the Argentine was deployed as a false nine before Donyell Malen’s move from Aston Villa.
“Playing as an attacking midfielder can become complicated when he has his physical troubles, as we’ve unfortunately discovered over this period,” Gasp said at the end of December 2025.
“I’ve always hoped to have him and have counted on him, because the value of our team increases when he is in that position. The whole attack benefits.
“It’s difficult to come across another player of (Dybala’s) quality. If he has problems, there aren’t really any like-for-like replacements.
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma in action during the warm up before the Serie A match between AS Roma and Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Olimpico on October 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“If [Evan] Ferguson wants to take a step forward, remembering that he is 21 years old and still very young, he has to improve not on his technical level, but on that hunger, desire, understanding where he plays and how to make the most out of his weapons.”
Dybala has recently admitted that he’d love to play for Boca Juniors in the future, where he’d reunite with his friend and former teammate Leandro Paredes.
“It would be fantastic,” he said (via SportMediaset).
“Today I play for Roma, and I have to defend this shirt, but you never know what might happen.”
Dybala has only played at the club level in Argentina and Italy, rising through the Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba academy before joining Palermo in 2012.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma host Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico tonight, with Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen expected to start up front for the Giallorossi.
It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, and it’s the final round of Serie A Week 35.
Milan, Juventus and Como have dropped points in this round, so Roma have a good chance to move one point behind the Bianconeri in fourth.
Fiorentina, on the other hand, sit 16th with a nine-point lead over 18th-placed Cremonese, who will host Lazio at 18:00 CET.
Roma must cope without the suspended El Aynaoui and the injured Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Zaragoza.
According to several sources, including Sky Sport Italia, Argentine star Dybala is fit to start up front for the Giallorossi, and so is Manu Koné in central midfield.
The Tuscans have travelled to Florence without Tariq Lamptey, Luis Balbo, Niccolò Fortini, Moise Kean and Roberto Piccoli.
Roma vs. Fiorentina – Where to watch on TV
The match will be shown on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.
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