Castro becomes Roma's fifth most expensive signing of all time

Roma are working to complete the permanent sale of Anass Salah-Eddine, with director of sport Tony D'Amico negotiating an advanced deal with Olympiacos. The left-back returned to Trigoria after a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven, where he made regular appearances and gained valuable minutes in his development as a player, operating primarily as a left-back and occasionally as a left-sided midfielder. Salah-Eddine featured consistently in the Eredivisie and European competitions for PSV, contributing assists and solid defensive displays during his loan period. Roma are now actively moving to offload the Moroccan defender as part of their efforts to clear out surplus players from their squad. The negotiations with the Greek club have progressed to an advanced stage as the Giallorossi seek to finalise his permanent exit from the club.

Roma's transfer chief Tony D'Amico is actively working to bring a new attacking winger to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Nusa remains under consideration, but the club is also tracking Ezzalzouli of Real Betis, valued at €60 million. Roma are attempting to negotiate the asking price down to €45 million. A new option has emerged in Fresneda, a product of Real Madrid's academy now at Sporting CP, who is priced at €25 million—though Roma hope to pay less. On departures, Salah-Eddine is heading for the exit after interest from Olympiakos intensified in recent days, with negotiations now active. Manu Koné is also expected to leave, with Manchester United showing the strongest interest. Roma value the midfielder at over €50 million. Chelsea and Arsenal have also made enquiries, while Koné hopes for a proposal from Paris Saint-Germain to return home. In the background, Belghali remains on Roma's radar as an alternative option.

Roma are in negotiations with Olympiacos to sell midfielder Salah-Eddine on a permanent deal after he completed a season-long loan at PSV. The transfer would bring funds into the club's coffers, providing flexibility for financial compliance with UEFA regulations, though Roma will need a major sale to fully balance the books. Salah-Eddine's potential departure comes as director D'Amico pursues reinforcements for the left wing position following the summer signing of Castro. The club are also exploring alternatives to the ongoing pursuit of Nusa—complicated by the player's high transfer fee—while maintaining contact with Sporting Lisbon over left-back Fresneda.

Santiago Castro has completed his move to Roma on a five-year contract worth €1.5 million plus bonuses per season, with the signing formally concluded today. The deal forms part of a package involving Artem Dovbyk's departure to Bologna. Castro was greeted by crowds at Termini railway station despite the weekday timing, and will now begin training under Gian Piero Gasperini alongside his new teammates. The Argentine will wear the number 9 shirt—the traditional pure strikers' number. Castro, 20, impressed Gasperini during Atalanta's Coppa Italia quarter-final win over Roma in February 2025, a match the Argentine won with a goal that sent Atalanta to the final. Roma face that same Atalanta side again when they begin preparations in Wales this Friday, with friendlies against Cardiff, Newport, and Brighton scheduled before an Ferragosto test against Borussia Dortmund. His competitive debut comes on 24 August. In attack, Castro will initially operate alongside fellow Argentines Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, who are currently Roma's only playmakers. Soulé and Castro are linked by a strong friendship and spent part of their holidays training together at Comunicaciones, the club owned by Soulé's father. Donyell Malen will also feature, with Castro serving as his primary alternative, though Gasperini may deploy the pair's combined pace and dynamism simultaneously.

Mile Svilar has reaffirmed his commitment to AS Roma, stating he has no interest in a move to Juventus despite reported interest from the Serie A champions following his performance in a friendly against Cannes. The goalkeeper's declaration comes as Roma awaits official confirmation of Santiago Castro, the club's first summer signing. Artem Dovbyk has departed for Bologna, marking another change in Roma's forward line as the club reshapes its squad during the transfer window. Svilar's public stance underscores Roma's defensive strength and his intention to remain at the Giallorossi despite external interest from rival clubs. Elsewhere, Roma's women's team announced new signings, while the Italian national team continues its rebuild under Mancini and Ranieri.

Artem Dovbyk is undergoing medical examinations at Isokinetic clinic ahead of his move to Bologna. The Ukrainian striker will sign a contract with the Rossoblu after completing his medical checks at the clinic, before heading to Bologna's headquarters to finalize the deal. The transfer unblocks Roma's summer activity, with Nicolás Castro arriving at Trigoria as part of the axis between the two clubs. Dovbyk moves in the opposite direction to join Domenico Tedesco's side. The deal is structured as a loan with a right of redemption, worth a combined total of 18 million euros.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal at AS Roma remains unsigned despite an agreement being reached in principle between the club and his agent Pocetta. The midfielder is set to earn 2.5 million euros plus bonuses over two seasons, with a unilateral option for the club to extend the deal until 2029. However, the signing has been delayed, with Pellegrini's physical condition emerging as a complicating factor. Pellegrini suffered a setback to a right thigh muscular injury in May while attempting to recover in time for the Derby della Capitale. The injury stems from a torn rectus femoris tendon sustained in May 2025, for which he underwent surgery by Dr. Lempainen in Finland. Pellegrini reportedly travelled to Finland for a follow-up examination with the specialist, during which a procedure to clean the old scar tissue was performed. Head coach Gian Piero Gasparini, Bryan Cristante, and Mile Svilar have all publicly expressed hope for a positive resolution. Final approval from the Friedkin Group is awaited before the contract can be completed, with expectations that the signature could arrive in the coming week.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal remains unsigned despite sporting director Tony D'Amico and the captain's agent Pocetta reaching a full agreement. The deal is worth 2.5 million euros plus bonuses per season through 2028, with a unilateral club option to extend to 2029. However, final approval from the Friedkin Group ownership has not yet arrived, leaving the signature pending. Pellegrini is meanwhile undergoing individualised training with a dedicated fitness coach as he recovers from a muscle injury sustained in May. The Roma captain is not expected to travel with the squad to their Wales training camp on Friday unless there is a last-minute development. Meanwhile, D'Amico's agenda remains full with other squad business: the club are evaluating Jean-Mattéo Bahoya as a solid alternative to the preferred target Antonio Nusa for the attacking midfield position. In defence, Roma continue discussions with Sporting Lisbon regarding Ivan Fresneda.

Mile Svilar has dismissed reports of a Juventus offer and reaffirmed his total commitment to AS Roma. Juventus submitted a 40-million-euro bid for the goalkeeper in late June, but Svilar said he had no knowledge of the approach. Speaking to multiple Italian media outlets, he stated: "I know nothing of this story, at least as far as I'm concerned. I cannot tell you anything because I was not consulted and for me, as you should know by now, there is only Roma. I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these supporters." The goalkeeper said Roma are building towards a strong season despite fatigue in pre-season friendlies. On the prospect of Champions League football, he said: "Playing in the Champions League is a beautiful thing. In Serie A it will be difficult to confirm third place, especially because with that type of European commitment during the week we must always be at our best." Svilar expressed confidence in the squad's ability to compete, adding: "No, I do not fear anyone. I cannot wait to play against whoever." When asked about the imminent returns of injured players and further transfer activity beyond Castro, Svilar declined specifics but mentioned ongoing contact with Lorenzo Pellegrini: "I cannot say anything, but with Lorenzo it is clear that we are in touch. We have spoken, let's see what happens in the coming days."