Castro arrives as Gasperini's first Roma signing
Transfer News·27 July 2026·22h ago

Castro arrives as Gasperini's first Roma signing

Source: Forza Roma

Roma have completed the signing of Santiago Castro from Bologna for €35 million (€30 million fixed plus a sell-on percentage), with Artem Dovbyk's loan to Bologna negotiated separately. The 21-year-old Argentine, who has spent three years in Italy, will arrive at Trigoria on Wednesday for a medical before signing a five-year contract worth €2.2 million per season. The move was orchestrated by head coach Gasperini over four days and sees Castro rejoin teammate Matías Soulé at the club. Castro can operate as Donyell Malen's deputy in central attack or as a second striker in a different formation.

Dovbyk's departure to Bologna will be structured as a costly loan with a redemption option totalling approximately €18 million. Roma are also pursuing left-wing reinforcements, with Sunderland's Yunis Abdelhamid reportedly valued at €35 million after a loan spell at Monaco, though further surprises are possible. In a friendly against Cannes, the French third-tier club owned by the Friedkin Group, Roma drew 3–3 with Paulo Dybala scoring twice (one from a free-kick) and Malen adding the third before Wesley was sent off in the 47th minute. The final decision on Roma's Pietralata stadium project is scheduled for a council conference at 17:30, with Mayor Gualtieri and ministers Salvini and Abodi expected to provide an administrative update ahead of completion targeted for September.

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Roma have completed the signing of Santiago Castro from Bologna for €35 million, with Argentine forward Castro undergoing medical tests and signing a five-year contract worth €2.2 million per season. The deal includes performance-related bonuses and a ten percent sell-on clause. Castro becomes Roma's first summer signing and the fifth most expensive acquisition in club history, according to Forza Roma, though Roma News ranks him fourth. The 21-year-old prioritized Roma over competing interest from Fiorentina and joins fellow South Americans Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé at the club. The move unlocks a parallel departure: Artem Dovbyk has agreed to join Bologna on loan with a purchase option. Roma will contribute to his €3.5 million annual salary to facilitate the switch. The Ukrainian striker, who scored 20 goals across 63 appearances but failed to establish himself under Gasperini, accepted the move after discussions with Bologna manager Domenico Tedesco. Outlets report the purchase option valued between €18 and €20 million, though they differ on whether Roma pushed for an obligation versus Bologna's preference for a right to buy. Castro, born in 2004, can operate as deputy to Donyell Malen or partner in a two-striker system, offering tactical flexibility. He is expected to join pre-season training in Wales imminently.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

Stavolta non ci sono club turchi o arabi di mezzo. La Roma ha chiuso il primo colpo di un mercato fin qui difficile. Da Bologna, infatti, arriva Santiago Castro per 35 milioni (30 di parte fissa) più una percentuale sulla rivendita e l'inserimento del prestito di Dovbyk in trattativa separata. Un…

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