Bologna Forward Santiago Castro Set to Join Roma for €30 Million

With less than a month until the new Serie A season begins, roughly 100 players across the Italian top division remain sidelined from their clubs' plans, weighing heavily on balance sheets rather than contributing on the pitch. Napoli, Juventus and Inter face the most complex situations. Inter must manage Frattesi's declining market value as he seeks regular starting football without success, alongside problems with Asllani and Pavard. Napoli's squad is oversized and needs significant departures; Lukaku's substantial wage at 33 remains an obstacle, as does Lucca. Juventus carries aging contracts and new signings outside their plans, including Arthur, Openda, Douglas Luiz and Nico Gonzalez, who is reportedly unwilling to return to Turin and is also being tracked by Roma. Roma is working to move several players out. Artem Dovbyk's situation appeared complicated due to injury and a high valuation, but the club has found a potential solution in recent days: following Castro's arrival, the Ukrainian could leave on loan to Bologna, pending only his approval. Kumbulla's future also remains to be resolved. Milan faces more contained issues but still needs to find homes for Musah and Loftus-Cheek, while Rafael Leao's future hangs in the balance. Across the rest of Serie A, Atalanta, Bologna and Fiorentina face lighter departures, while Sassuolo and Lazio are among clubs needing to trim their squads before the transfer window closes.

Summerville has completed a transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal after coming close to joining AS Roma. The Dutch winger was one of Roma's headline transfer pursuits this window, but ultimately chose the Saudi Pro League side after Al Hilal's offer of 20 million euros per year swayed the decision. The move marks the end of a protracted saga in the Roma transfer market. Like previous windows that saw pursuits of Sancho and Rios, this season brought similar high-profile chase stories involving Greenwood and Summerville. Summerville's departure represents a significant loss for Roma's attacking options as the club continues its squad-building efforts under Gian Piero Gasperini. Following his official unveiling, Summerville outlined his reasons for the switch. "I watched Al Hilal's matches during the Club World Cup and saw the level of this squad. They were capable of playing against the best teams in the world. It really surprised me," he said. "I heard it's the best team in the Saudi Pro League, so the choice was easy."

Manu Koné remains at the centre of transfer speculation at Roma, with Manchester United pressing to bring the midfielder to Old Trafford following his impressive World Cup performance. No formal offer has yet reached the club, but United's interest is active. The Red Devils have already invested approximately 100 million euros combined in Tielemans and Santo, and must now prioritise outgoings before moving decisively for Koné. Michael Carrick's immediate focus is securing a left winger and identifying a third midfield reinforcement. Mason Mount, the English midfielder, could shift into that third midfield role internally—a solution that might diminish United's pursuit of Koné. Tchouaméni remains United's primary midfield target. The evolving situation at Old Trafford means Roma's chances of retaining Koné depend partly on developments elsewhere in the Premier League's transfer market.

Roma began their 2026–27 pre-season with a goalless draw against Cannes at Stadio Pierre de Coubertin, with kickoff at 17:30. The match marked Gian Piero Gasperini's first outing in charge and the debut of Roma's new home kit for the season. Cannes, also owned by the Friedkin Group, provided the opposition as Roma continue their build-up without all their summer signings and with some players still returning from holiday. Donyell Malen came closest to breaking the deadlock when a cross from Paulo Dybala found him in the box, but his attempted heel flick sailed wide. Later in the first half, Malen was played through on goal and attempted a lob after evading defenders with a dribble, but the effort was deflected wide. Gianluca Mancini made a crucial defensive intervention in the 25th minute, earning applause from the travelling support after an initial knock but continuing the match. Gasperini fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal and a defence of Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Bryan Cristante anchored the midfield alongside new recruit Bah, with Devyne Rensch and Wesley operating as wing-backs. The attacking trio of Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Malen provided the creative spark throughout the first 45 minutes.

Roma face Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin, with kick-off at 17:30. The match represents the club's third summer test following earlier fixtures against Roma's Primavera and Trastevere during their pre-season camp. Gasperini names Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen in attack, deployed in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The midfield features Devyne Rensch and Wesley at full-back, with Bryan Cristante and a player listed as Bah in central midfield. The fixture will be broadcast live on DAZN, accessible via smartphone, PC or tablet through the app or the official website. Roma's pre-season schedule continues as Gasperini prepares the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Roma played Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Pierre-de-Coubertin in France, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielding a 3-4-2-1 formation. The starting XI included Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence; Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Bah and Wesley across midfield; and Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen up front. The match marked Roma's third pre-season outing following two 6–0 victories against Trastevere and Primavera. Gasperini continues working with limited squad depth as the club awaits new arrivals in the transfer window. Malen had several chances early on, including a semi-overhead attempt that the Cannes keeper saved and a missed finish after good play from Dybala down the left. Wesley received a yellow card for a foul near the edge of Cannes's penalty area. Cannes, owned by the Friedkin family who control AS Roma, tested Svilar with a header that went over the bar. Mancini had a moment of concern during the cooling break when he fell to the ground after a challenge but recovered and continued playing. Soulé was noted as operating below his usual level, while Dybala and Malen remained the focal points of Roma's attacking play. The match served as another opportunity for players to build match fitness ahead of the competitive season.