Castro mobbed by 200 Roma fans at Termini station

Artem Dovbyk's stint at Roma has ended with the Ukrainian forward moving to Bologna on loan as part of the deal that brings Castro to the capital. Dovbyk departs after scoring 20 goals in 63 appearances, leaving a sense of what might have been following a transfer that cost the club 41 million euros in the summer of 2024. Dovbyk's first season proved reasonably productive despite Roma's turbulent campaign. He scored his opening goal on 15 September at Marassi under Daniele De Rossi, and added 17 goals in 45 appearances during 2024–25, with crucial strikes against Como, Cagliari, Lecce, and Fiorentina helping Roma climb to fifth place under Claudio Ranieri. However, the 29-year-old, fresh from a 24-goal season at Girona where he won the Pichichi, never truly settled in the capital. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, competition from loan signing Evan Ferguson intensified, and Dovbyk's impact diminished. He missed two penalties against Viktoria Plzen, suffered a thigh strain, then endured a three-month layoff from a left thigh tendon injury. His final appearance came on 17 May in the derby, a two-minute cameo as substitute for Paulo Dybala. The disconnect between the forward and the Roma fanbase was evident throughout. While individual performances warranted optimism at moments, Dovbyk struggled to operate effectively with teammates and lacked conviction in physical challenges. The separation reflects mutual recognition that the substantial investment failed to yield the expected returns.

Artem Dovbyk left Rome for Bologna on a loan deal with a buyout clause set at approximately €20 million. The Ukrainian forward travelled to Fiumicino airport in the morning to catch his flight to begin his new spell with the Emilia-Romagna club. Roma supporters spotted him at the airport and posed for photographs with the striker. Dovbyk's departure marks another change in Roma's squad following Santiago Castro's arrival at Termini station the previous day. The loan arrangement with Bologna includes an option to make the move permanent, with the buyout figure reported at around €20 million.

Santiago Castro has arrived in Rome to complete a €35 million transfer to AS Roma. The striker will undergo medical tests and sign his contract before joining squad training, with the deal made possible by owner approval for extra budget spending. The move comes after failed pursuits of Greenwood and Summerville, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini seeks reinforcements in attack ahead of the pre-season training camp in Wales on 31 July. Castro's arrival does not mark the end of Roma's offensive recruitment. Gasperini has requested multiple wide attackers, and sporting director focus remains on RB Leipzig's Antonio Nusa, though that pursuit is described as significantly more costly and complex, requiring further negotiation. Parallel to on-field activity, a decisive phase opened for Roma's new stadium in the Pietralata district. The government services conference officially began yesterday, with extraordinary commissioner Massimo Sessa setting a 60-day timeline for the decision phase (mid-September). Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Lazio region president Francesco Rocca deemed the schedule realistic. By 31 July, the FIGC will indicate to UEFA which stadiums will host Euro 2032; transport minister Matteo Salvini announced €35 million in funding via Ferrovie dello Stato for Tiburtina station modernisation as part of the broader regeneration plan.