Kumbulla joins Rayo Vallecano, Pellegrini extends with Roma, Cristante plays down Dybala row
Quick summary
Marash Kumbulla has moved to Rayo Vallecano, while Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a contract extension with Roma and Bryan Cristante has downplayed reports of a dressing-room row involving Paulo Dybala.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRoma have been busy on and off the pitch, confirming Marash Kumbulla’s departure and tying down Lorenzo Pellegrini to a new contract, while Bryan Cristante moved to defuse talk of a training-camp bust-up with Paulo Dybala.
According to Tuttomercatoweb , Kumbulla’s exit is now official: the defender joins Rayo Vallecano on a loan with an option to buy, returning to LaLiga after previous spells with Espanyol and Mallorca.
He leaves having made 68 appearances across four seasons and played his part in Roma’s 2022 Conference League triumph.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Pellegrini signs new Roma deal as Cristante cools Dybala talk The bigger boost for Gian Piero Gasperini concerns Pellegrini. The club captain has signed a contract extension until 2027 after recovering from injury, with only the official announcement outstanding, expected in the coming hours.
Cristante confirmed the squad had stayed in regular contact with the number 10 throughout pre-season and could not wait to have him back at Trigoria.
Speaking from the camp, with Roma now in Brighton, where they face the Seagulls after eight days in Cardiff, Cristante was also quick to downplay his flare-up with Dybala during the friendly against Cardiff City.
“It lasted a second and it was over,” he said, before turning to the wider mood, underlining the group’s excitement at returning to the Champions League under Gasperini.
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What happened
Multiple Roma-related stories emerged: defender Marash Kumbulla has completed a transfer to La Liga side Rayo Vallecano. Meanwhile, midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini has committed his future to Roma with a contract extension. Additionally, Bryan Cristante has publicly played down reports of a rift or argument involving star forward Paulo Dybala, suggesting the dressing room remains united. The combined updates address Roma's squad management heading into the new season, with an outgoing player, a retained captain, and internal harmony reaffirmed.
Chance analysis
Kumbulla's departure to Rayo Vallecano frees up squad space and wage budget for Roma, while Pellegrini's extension provides continuity in midfield leadership. Cristante's public dismissal of the Dybala dispute is a squad-morale signal, important given Dybala's talismanic attacking role. For prediction systems, Roma's midfield and attacking core remains intact with Pellegrini and Dybala, reducing internal disruption risk. Kumbulla was not a regular starter, so his exit has limited tactical impact on Roma.
Roma retain midfield leadership (Pellegrini) and attacking talent (Dybala), with a fringe defender (Kumbulla) departing — net positive for squad stability and clarity.
Roma's key creative and attacking players (Pellegrini, Dybala) remain available and committed; squad stability is reaffirmed, so internal disruption should not factor into upcoming match predictions.