Castro Arrives Tonight; Dovbyk Heads to Bologna; Rome Stadium to Be Among World's Best

Roma are on the verge of completing their first summer transfer. Santiago Castro will arrive from Bologna, with Artem Dovbyk heading in the opposite direction on loan to join Tedesco's squad. The deal represents Roma's opening move in the transfer window. Dovbyk, who joined Roma last season, will step aside to make room for Castro's arrival. The loan move offers the Ukrainian striker a fresh start while freeing up space in the squad for the incoming Bologna forward. This swap deal resolves both clubs' needs in attack within a single transaction. Elsewhere, Rome's mayor Gualtieri and Sessa discussed progress on the new stadium project during an administrative briefing. In national team news, Andrea Pirlo announced via Instagram that he will not take the Italy job.

Roma have signed Santiago Castro from Bologna for €35 million plus bonuses, with the Emilia-Romagna club retaining 10% of any future sale. The 20-year-old Argentine striker enters the club's all-time transfer rankings at fifth place, surpassing Antonio Cassano's €31 million fee from Bari in 2001–02. Only Gabriel Batistuta (€36.15 million from Fiorentina in 2000–01) ranks ahead in a crowded top five. The podium is occupied by Tammy Abraham (€41 million from Chelsea), Artem Dovbyk (€41.1 million from Girona), and Luka Schick (€42 million from Sampdoria). Castro will operate as more than a backup to Donyell Malen, representing the opening salvo of a potentially expansive January window under the Friedkin Group's ownership. The club has set ambitious targets across the market; figures in the frame include Nusa, for whom RB Leipzig are reportedly seeking over €55 million, as well as Adingra, Leao (reportedly close to a Turkish club move), Alajbegovic, and Martinelli.

AS Roma Femminile announced the end of Giulia Dragoni's loan spell, with the 2006-born midfielder returning to Barcelona, her parent club. In her place, the club confirmed the return of striker Martina Piemonte on a three-year contract until 2029, and the arrival of Finnish forward Sofia Jahnukainen on a deal through 2030. Piemonte previously played for Roma in the 2018–19 season, making 22 appearances and scoring 6 goals. She will wear number 18. Piemonte spent the last two seasons with Lazio before rejoining the Giallorossi. The Italian striker, who has represented Italy at youth and senior level since 2012, expressed her emotional attachment to the club. "It is the first squad I have returned to play for," she said. "Roma has always been a special team for me. I arrived here at 18 or 19 years old and my best friend was here too, who sadly is no longer with us. Roma means so many things to me. I am excited and it is truly wonderful to be back." She added: "I don't like having expectations. I want to enjoy this moment and this experience. I want to live Roma day by day, enjoying every second as if it were the last." Jahnukainen, born in 2006, began her career at Keski Uusimaa in Tuusula before joining HPS Helsinki. Over the past two seasons at HJK, she accumulated 6 goals and 10 assists.

Roma are on the verge of completing their first summer transfer. Santiago Castro will arrive from Bologna, with Artem Dovbyk heading in the opposite direction on loan to join Tedesco's squad. The deal represents Roma's opening move in the transfer window. Dovbyk, who joined Roma last season, will step aside to make room for Castro's arrival. The loan move offers the Ukrainian striker a fresh start while freeing up space in the squad for the incoming Bologna forward. This swap deal resolves both clubs' needs in attack within a single transaction. Elsewhere, Rome's mayor Gualtieri and Sessa discussed progress on the new stadium project during an administrative briefing. In national team news, Andrea Pirlo announced via Instagram that he will not take the Italy job.

Roma have signed Santiago Castro from Bologna for €35 million plus bonuses, with the Emilia-Romagna club retaining 10% of any future sale. The 20-year-old Argentine striker enters the club's all-time transfer rankings at fifth place, surpassing Antonio Cassano's €31 million fee from Bari in 2001–02. Only Gabriel Batistuta (€36.15 million from Fiorentina in 2000–01) ranks ahead in a crowded top five. The podium is occupied by Tammy Abraham (€41 million from Chelsea), Artem Dovbyk (€41.1 million from Girona), and Luka Schick (€42 million from Sampdoria). Castro will operate as more than a backup to Donyell Malen, representing the opening salvo of a potentially expansive January window under the Friedkin Group's ownership. The club has set ambitious targets across the market; figures in the frame include Nusa, for whom RB Leipzig are reportedly seeking over €55 million, as well as Adingra, Leao (reportedly close to a Turkish club move), Alajbegovic, and Martinelli.

Santiago Castro will arrive in the Italian capital this evening to complete his transfer from Bologna to Roma. The Argentine forward is expected to reach Rome's central station around 23:45 on 27 July, with medical examinations and contract signing scheduled for 28 July. Roma have agreed a deal worth €35 million plus bonuses with Bologna, which includes the loan of Artem Dovbyk to the Emilia-Romagna club. Castro, born in 2004, has already agreed terms with Roma on a contract running until 2031 worth €2.2 million per season plus bonuses. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wanted the forward to join immediately so he would be available for the squad's upcoming training camp in Wales. The deal also includes a percentage on any future sale. Castro had given his approval to Gasperini two days before the final agreement was struck. The transfer represents Roma's first major signing of the summer window. The club's director of sport D'Amico targeted completion on 26 July to get the player integrated into the squad as quickly as possible. Castro will travel with the team to Wales once formalities are concluded.

Roma departed for Nice shortly before 10:00 and will reach Cannes by coach for their third pre-season fixture at 17:30 (live on Dazn) against the club owned by the Friedkin Group. Head coach Gasperini will deploy a front three of Dybala, Soulé, and Malen, with midfield reinforcements required due to absences. Pisilli and Vaz are unavailable through injury, while Cherubini misses out with fever. Central midfield will pair the young Bah with Cristante, flanked by Wesley and Rensch, while Svilar starts in goal behind a defensive line of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso. Notably absent is Koné, though Neil El Aynaoui—currently on holiday in Cannes—will attend the match as a spectator before officially rejoining the squad on 30 July to depart for Wales, where the second phase of pre-season training will take place. A second-string lineup and Primavera players will feature in the second half. Roma will return to the capital after the match. Gasperini has granted the squad two days of rest, with no training scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Roma travel to face Cannes at Stade Pierre de Coubertin today at 17:30 in their first competitive pre-season friendly of the summer. The match comes after a reduced-time test against Trastevere at Trigoria and precedes Roma's departure for a training camp in Wales on 1 August, where they will face Cardiff in another friendly. Gasperini's side will be without Pisilli and Vaz, who are sidelined by muscle injuries. The head coach will deploy Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, a partnership that impressed during the Trigoria friendly. Evan N'Dicka will feature in a three-man defence alongside Mario Hermoso and Gianluca Mancini. Bryan Cristante will anchor midfield alongside a young player filling in as El Aynaoui and Manu Koné remain on post-World Cup leave. The clash against Cannes, also owned by the Friedkin Group and recently promoted to France's third tier, offers a controlled environment for Roma to build match fitness. Ryan's availability remains uncertain following his return to the United States.

Roma continue their pre-season preparation with a friendly against Cannes today at 17:30 at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin. The match marks the club's first competitive test away from Trigoria following a reduced-time outing against Trastevere. Cannes, newly promoted to France's third tier, is also owned by the Friedkin family, making it an in-house fixture before Roma's departure for a Welsh training camp on 1 August, where they will face Cardiff in another friendly. Gasperini will be without Pisilli and Vaz, both unavailable due to muscular problems. The coaching staff will deploy the Malen–Dybala partnership in attack after the pair showed strong chemistry in the Trigoria friendly. Evan N'Dicka will feature in defence alongside Hermoso and Mancini to complete the back three. Midfield duties will see Cristante operate alongside young midfielder Bah, with El Aynaoui and Koné still on post-World Cup holiday. The fixture represents the final warm-up before Roma's squad departs for Wales.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is close to signing a new contract with Roma after his deal expired on 30 June. The club has made the midfielder's renewal a priority following recent extensions for Paulo Dybala, Gianluca Mancini, and Bryan Cristante. Pellegrini, who continues to put Roma first despite being out of contract, remains sidelined by injury and has missed the early stages of pre-season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Pellegrini as essential to the squad both technically and as a leader in the dressing room. The player is equally committed to staying in Rome, and negotiations are progressing with confidence. Roma aim to finalise the deal in the coming days—ideally before the team departs for their training camp in Wales. The proposed agreement runs until 2028 with an option for a further season, at a salary of 2.5 million euros per season plus bonuses. Once signed, Pellegrini could rejoin the squad during the second phase of summer preparation and begin working with Gasperini ahead of the new season.

Roma are on the verge of closing their first official signing under the Friedkin Group's leadership, agreeing a deal with Bologna to bring striker Santiago Castro to the capital. The transfer is worth €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses. The 20-year-old Argentine, who will earn €2.2 million per season, turned down a higher offer from Fiorentina to join Roma's project. He will join the squad for the pre-season training camp in Wales after completing formalities. Castro's arrival directly addresses head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's request for a high-calibre forward to rotate with Donyell Malen throughout the season. The pursuit of alternative targets, including Tresoldi, had stalled due to prohibitive demands from Bruges. The transfer represents a significant offensive reinforcement as Roma reshape their attacking options. Following this deal, sporting director D'Amico must turn attention to other priorities, particularly sourcing elite wingers with Nusa and Moreira identified as main candidates, while also monitoring developments surrounding Manu Koné and contract negotiations with Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is set to sign a new contract with Roma after weeks of negotiations, bringing an end to uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. The midfielder's previous deal expires on 30 June, and the new agreement will run for 2 years with an option for a third year. His salary will decrease from 4 million euros to 2.5 million euros per season, plus performance bonuses. The prolonged wait has not damaged relations between the club and the former captain, who is currently recovering from injury. If his rehabilitation progresses smoothly, Pellegrini is expected to join the squad for the second phase of pre-season training in Wales.