Castro backs Roma for the Scudetto and welcomes Malen rivalry

Gian Piero Gasperini cancelled a scheduled Sky Sport interview on the evening of 6 August to attend a dinner meeting with owner Ryan Friedkin at the Vale Resort in Hensol, Wales, where Roma's squad is on retreat. The gathering evolved into a formal transfer strategy session, with CEO John Galantic present to gather the head coach's assessments on ongoing negotiations covering contract renewals, signings and departures. Gasperini's decision to prioritise the meeting over the broadcast appearance signals Roma's urgency in the transfer market. The club faces mounting pressure: Fiorentina will visit the Stadio Olimpico for the opening day of the new Serie A in 17 days. Sources indicate the coach sought updates on the status of various deals in play across the summer window, reflecting recent developments that have characterised Roma's transfer activity this summer. The timing underscores Gasperini's belief that action must now take precedence over words. With the start of the season imminent, every opportunity for dialogue between coaching staff and ownership becomes crucial to building the squad and moving Roma closer to its objectives.

Manu Koné will rejoin Roma training on Monday after an extended break following the World Cup, Gasperini confirmed. The midfielder has been the subject of sustained Premier League attention during the transfer window, with Manchester United the most active suitor. Roma are willing to listen to offers but have set a €60 million floor on any deal. Manchester United's interest has cooled in recent days, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. The club's scouting chief Christopher Vivell backs Koné as the ideal midfielder to strengthen the squad, but manager Erik ten Hag holds a different view. Carrick prefers either a player with established Premier League experience or a superior profile such as Tchouameni. Since the final decision rests with the manager, this divergence has significantly increased the likelihood of Koné remaining at Roma for the 2026-27 season—a prospect that will please Gasperini. The French midfielder, on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach with an obligation to buy, has emerged as a key figure in Roma's midfield plans and Gasperini is keen to have him available for the full campaign.

Nahuel Molina, a left-back from Atlético Madrid, is on his way to Roma to undergo medical examinations and sign a contract with the club. The Argentine defender will join Roma on a deal running until 2030 at a salary of €2.5 million per season. Roma are targeting his arrival at Fiumicino tomorrow to accelerate the process, with his Spanish passport en route. The club has already completed terms with both Atlético Madrid and the player. Molina's signing forms part of Roma's ongoing transfer activity this summer. He will train with the squad upon their return to Trigoria, coinciding with the first session involving new recruit Manu Koné, who is wrapping up extended leave following international tournament commitments. Lorenzo Pellegrini, having recovered from injury, is also set to rejoin training at the same time. The arrival underlines the reshaping of Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Santiago Castro has arrived at Roma from Bologna for approximately 35 million euros this summer and is confident the club can compete for the Serie A title. Speaking from Roma's pre-season training camp in Cardiff, the Argentine striker said: "Certo, ho visto il valore di questo gruppo e possiamo giocarcela con tutti. Perché abbiamo giocatori forti in tutti i reparti e Gasperini è uno dei migliori allenatori d'Italia. Siamo al livello per competere lo scudetto e per la Coppa Italia. E vogliamo fare bene in Champions." Castro, born in 2004, emphasised his strong bonds with Roma's other Argentine players. He has known Matías Soulé for eleven years—they played together at Velez—and praised Paulo Dybala and Mario Hermoso as part of a cohesive group. Despite joining a squad where Donyell Malen was the standout performer last season, Castro dismissed any suggestion he would be a reserve, saying: "Io e Donny saremo in competizione per giocare tanto, ma soprattutto per il bene della squadra." When asked whether other Italian clubs had approached him before leaving Bologna, Castro confirmed they had. "Sì, un altro paio di squadre in Italia mi hanno chiamato, ma io ho voluto solo la Roma," he said, underlining his commitment to the Giallorossi.

Gian Piero Gasperini has become the driving force behind Roma's transfer strategy and squad planning, with director D'Amico and ownership The Friedkin Group now following his tactical blueprint. At 68, Gasperini has adopted a markedly different public approach than his previous style—eschewing confrontation for behind-the-scenes pressure in operational meetings at Trigoria. Where José Mourinho relied on provocative gestures, Gasperini works directly and methodically to impose his vision. The clearest example is Gasperini's influence over contract renewals. Though The Friedkin Group initially resisted extending Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, Gasperini's growing credibility—bolstered by Roma's Champions League qualification—allowed him to secure one-year renewals for both players. He achieved this through relentless advocacy in closed-door talks, pushing his case whenever the opportunity arose. The renewals came only after sustained pressure, with ownership finally conceding limited terms rather than outright refusals. Gasperini's next test, and the true measure of his market influence, centres on recruiting a left-sided winger capable of playing with his right foot. The success or failure of this signing will define how far his authority now extends at Roma.

Paulo Dybala continues to be the cornerstone of Roma's squad as the club enters the final stretch of the transfer window. Four years into his tenure at the Giallorossi, Dybala remains the highest technical level player in the squad. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is forced to rely on him heavily with 17 days until the season begins. However, the club recognises the risk of depending solely on Dybala to alter matches single-handedly and has identified the need for at least one more attacking arrival to complete the squad as planned. The primary target is Antonio Nusa, the Norwegian winger, though Arsenal are reportedly entering the race following their unsuccessful pursuit of Vinícius Júnior. That pursuit now appears unlikely to succeed. Roma's alternative is Malick Fofana, a 21-year-old Belgian from Lyon. Fofana has struggled with injury, playing only 15 minutes in his most recent outing against Sparta Prague three days ago following a serious ankle injury and subsequent surgery. His last full appearance came on 26 October of last year. Roma attempted to negotiate a loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy, but the offer was rejected.

Santiago Castro has arrived at Roma from Bologna for approximately 35 million euros this summer and is confident the club can compete for the Serie A title. Speaking from Roma's pre-season training camp in Cardiff, the Argentine striker said: "Certo, ho visto il valore di questo gruppo e possiamo giocarcela con tutti. Perché abbiamo giocatori forti in tutti i reparti e Gasperini è uno dei migliori allenatori d'Italia. Siamo al livello per competere lo scudetto e per la Coppa Italia. E vogliamo fare bene in Champions." Castro, born in 2004, emphasised his strong bonds with Roma's other Argentine players. He has known Matías Soulé for eleven years—they played together at Velez—and praised Paulo Dybala and Mario Hermoso as part of a cohesive group. Despite joining a squad where Donyell Malen was the standout performer last season, Castro dismissed any suggestion he would be a reserve, saying: "Io e Donny saremo in competizione per giocare tanto, ma soprattutto per il bene della squadra." When asked whether other Italian clubs had approached him before leaving Bologna, Castro confirmed they had. "Sì, un altro paio di squadre in Italia mi hanno chiamato, ma io ho voluto solo la Roma," he said, underlining his commitment to the Giallorossi.

Kostas Koulierakis has made an immediate impact at Roma, scoring on his debut in a friendly against Newport on Tuesday. The Greek defender arrived only days ago and is competing with Mario Hermoso for a starting place in the back line. Koulierakis outlined his reasons for joining in an interview with Teleradiostereo 92.7. "When Roma called me I didn't think twice," he said. "Roma is one of the most important clubs in Italy and has an incredible fanbase. We're talking about a team performing very well and always aiming high." The 24-year-old revealed that Konstantinos Manolas, a Roma legend and fellow Greek player, played a key role in his decision. "We spoke during the summer and call each other often. I explained to him how much I wanted a Serie A club, and when Roma came in he told me it would be a very important step in my career." Gasperini's tactical approach was equally decisive. Koulierakis stated: "One of the other reasons I chose Roma was the coach and his system of play, because I think it's particularly suited to my characteristics, especially as a left-sided centre-back. I spoke with Tsimikas about the club and the manager and he explained how demanding he is, but we've all seen how well he's done in recent years in Italy and Europe with Atalanta. I know it will be hard, but with a successful manager like this the foundations are the best."

Jan Ziółkowski has opened up about his development at Roma during the club's summer training camp in Wales, highlighting the influence of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Polish football legend Zibi Boniek in his growth. Speaking to SiamolaRoma.it, the defender reflected on a difficult early moment when he was substituted after 30 minutes on his starting debut against Viktoria Plzen in late October, calling it a valuable lesson: "Chiaramente è stata una sensazione molto brutta. Era il mio esordio e forse stavo cercando di strafare. Il mister cerca sempre di fare il meglio per la squadra e di vincere le partite e ha deciso di sostituirmi. Ma io l'ho accettato e l'ho messo alle spalle." Ziółkowski credited experienced defenders Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka with helping him settle and improve. He also praised goalkeeper Mile Svilar's reliability: "È una bella sensazione. È rassicurante sapere di avere alle spalle uno come Mile. Per me è un portiere di classe mondiale e rende anche il mio compito più facile." On Roma's return to the Champions League this season, Ziółkowski expressed excitement: "Sarà un'emozione unica giocare la competizione migliore al mondo, dove dovremo fare del nostro meglio. Ce la siamo conquistata meritatamente la scorsa stagione." He also discussed his ongoing communication with Boniek, saying the veteran "mi dice sempre di essere me stesso" and offers honest feedback when required.

Santiago Castro has arrived at Roma from Bologna for approximately 35 million euros this summer and is confident the club can compete for the Serie A title. Speaking from Roma's pre-season training camp in Cardiff, the Argentine striker said: "Certo, ho visto il valore di questo gruppo e possiamo giocarcela con tutti. Perché abbiamo giocatori forti in tutti i reparti e Gasperini è uno dei migliori allenatori d'Italia. Siamo al livello per competere lo scudetto e per la Coppa Italia. E vogliamo fare bene in Champions." Castro, born in 2004, emphasised his strong bonds with Roma's other Argentine players. He has known Matías Soulé for eleven years—they played together at Velez—and praised Paulo Dybala and Mario Hermoso as part of a cohesive group. Despite joining a squad where Donyell Malen was the standout performer last season, Castro dismissed any suggestion he would be a reserve, saying: "Io e Donny saremo in competizione per giocare tanto, ma soprattutto per il bene della squadra." When asked whether other Italian clubs had approached him before leaving Bologna, Castro confirmed they had. "Sì, un altro paio di squadre in Italia mi hanno chiamato, ma io ho voluto solo la Roma," he said, underlining his commitment to the Giallorossi.

Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales is drawing to a close, with Gian Piero Gasperini's squad preparing for a final warm-up fixture before returning to Italy. The penultimate day at Vale Resort in Hensol saw the players divided between a morning gym session focused on muscle strength and an afternoon programme of small-sided matches and intensive athletic work. Donyell Malen, sidelined by illness in recent days, is completing his recovery and pushing to feature in the next friendly. Today marks the end of the British training camp. Roma will hold a final morning session before lunch, then depart for Cardiff Airport at an unspecified time, flying by charter to London at 17.40. From Gatwick, the squad will travel by coach to Brighton to prepare for the tour's final test: a match against Brighton on Saturday afternoon at 16.00 (Italian time). The fixture offers a stern examination of Premier League opposition before Roma return to Italy. The training period has been intensive and valuable, consolidating the tactical identity built in the previous season. After the Brighton encounter, the squad will head home, concluding the overseas phase of their pre-season preparations.

Donyell Malen trained with Roma's squad on 6 August after recovering from a fever that had forced him to miss a friendly against Newport. The forward is expected to be available for Roma's fixture at Brighton on 10 August, which kicks off at 16:00 Italian time. Roma will fly to Brighton on the afternoon of 7 August to continue their pre-season preparations. The Giallorossi are in the final days of their training camp at Cardiff, with their Serie A campaign set to begin in 18 days against Fiorentina. Following the Brighton test match, Roma will return to Trigoria for the last two weeks of training before the season kicks off.