Castro ready for action: Argentine forward to feature in Cardiff friendly

AS Roma have submitted a €25 million offer to Feyenoord for Givairo Read, the 20-year-old Dutch right-back who has drawn comparisons to Denzel Dumfries. The Giallorossi's pursuit reflects confidence in the winger's potential, with Read regarded as one of Europe's most promising talents in his position. Born in 2006 and raised through Volendam's academy before joining Feyenoord, Read has become a regular starter in the Eredivisie and sits within the Dutch Under-21 setup. Read's primary strength lies in his attacking play: he is explosive, brave, and technically gifted, making meaningful contributions in the final third. He demonstrated no fear in high-stakes matches despite his age and boasts uncommon personality for a player his age. His defensive game still has room for development—he occasionally overcommits and loses balance—areas Gasperini would address. Read made his first appearance against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in 2024, one of several victories the Giallorossi have taken against Feyenoord. Two consecutive hamstring injuries during the 2025-26 season forced Read to miss more than three months and briefly cooled Bayern Munich's interest, though his technical value remained unquestioned. Once fit, he returned to regular football and has re-established himself as one of Europe's most sought-after young full-backs. Unlike most footballers, Read reportedly finds watching football on television tedious and avoids social media, having posted fewer than 10 photos over several years.

Roma are tracking Kevin Schade, the 24-year-old Brentford winger, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini continues his search for a wide attacking option. Gasperini has made finding an attacking full-back a clear priority, and the Roma sporting department is monitoring the market to fulfil that brief. Schade, a German international, fits the club's profile on both age and financial grounds. The Brentford forward carries a valuation of 40 million euros and scored 8 goals in 31 Premier League matches in the most recent season. At 24, he represents an age bracket and wage structure that Roma consider viable. The player's attacking credentials and international experience align with Gasperini's tactical requirements on the flanks.

Roma have submitted an official bid of €25 million to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read as sporting director Tony D'Amico accelerates plans to reinforce the right flank. The offer has initiated direct negotiations between the two clubs in hopes of reaching a final agreement. Read represents a young, attacking profile suited to Gian Piero Gasperini's requirements for the right wing. The move comes as Nottingham Forest remain monitoring the situation closely after seeing two official offers rejected by Feyenoord, though Roma now attempt to break the deadlock with their formal proposal.

AC Milan have turned their attention to Matías Soulé as they search for a left-footed attacking winger following their failure to land Konstantinos Karetsas, who joined Borussia Dortmund. The Argentina winger, who joined Roma from Juventus, now tops Milan's shortlist after the club identified a left-footed attacking midfielder or winger as a priority. Soulé had previously rejected lucrative offers from Saudi clubs Al Ahli and Al Ittihad. Soulé's opportunities at Roma have narrowed significantly following Paulo Dybala's contract renewal and the recent arrival of Santiago Castro. Roma are keen to capitalise on his departure and have set his asking price at €40 million, seeking to generate substantial profit on the €26 million plus €4 million in add-ons they paid a year ago. Milan regard Soulé as a highly attractive prospect from a technical standpoint but are attempting to negotiate at lower figures than Roma's initial demands.

AC Milan have identified Matías Soulé as a potential signing after missing out on Karetsas, who chose Borussia Dortmund instead. The Argentine winger fits Milan's tactical profile: a left-footed attacking midfielder or winger who operates from the right, works in tight spaces, and can cut inside or drift wide as needed. Soulé is available, with Roma valuing him at €40 million and actively seeking a buyer. Roma's pursuit of alternatives has intensified Soulé's departure prospects. The club recently renewed Paulo Dybala's contract and completed the signing of Castro, further constraining space in the squad. Saudi clubs Al Ahli and Al Ittihad tabled offers a month ago, but Soulé declined, uninterested in a move to the Middle East. He is now exploring alternative options. Roma, who paid €26 million plus €4 million in add-ons for Soulé, are keen to record a profit on the transfer. Milan view him as an attractive prospect, though they consider Roma's €40 million valuation steep and are exploring negotiations at lower figures.

Santiago Castro has completed his medical assessment at Campus Biomedico and arrived at Trigoria to begin life as AS Roma's new number 9. The Argentine forward, signed from Vélez, embodies the profile favoured by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini—combining the dynamism that reminds the manager of Donyell Malen or Luis Muriel from his time at Atalanta. Castro will undergo his official presentation, take his first training session under Gasperini, and link up with Roma's Argentine contingent of Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala before joining the squad for their pre-season training camp in Wales. Gasperini views Castro's arrival as a significant boost to Roma's attacking options. The 21-year-old can operate as a pure centre-forward, a mobile second striker, or a left-sided attacker, giving the Italian tactician flexibility across multiple competitions and knockout fixtures. With Paulo Dybala positioned as a playmaker, the pairing promises to unlock different offensive configurations. Castro's versatility allows Roma to tailor their formation and approach based on the opposition, strengthening the squad depth and providing certainty during the demanding season ahead.

Roma's transfer activity accelerated sharply within 24 hours as sporting director D'Amico worked to reshape Gasperini's squad. The most advanced negotiation concerns centre-back Koulierakis, a 2003-born Greek left-footer from Wolfsburg, who has already agreed personal terms with Roma. Wolfsburg were relegated to the Zweite Bundesliga in May. Midfield target Fresneda has also come into focus, though the Portuguese club's €20 million valuation remains a gap from Roma's position. Dialogue has opened with Torino over Cacciamani, with the Serie A club seeking €15 million. Left-back alternatives are being pursued after difficulties over another name: Bahoya and Ezzalzouli are both under consideration. The Spanish club holding Ezzalzouli's registration has a €60 million release clause, but would accept €45 million; Roma have indicated they wish to offer €10 million less than that figure. D'Amico was abroad on business during recent days while managing these parallel negotiations. The activity follows confirmation that Artem Dovbyk's move from Bolognese to Roma is progressing, with double announcement expected imminently.

Roma's transfer window has shifted into high gear. An official double announcement confirming the exchange of Santiago Castro and Artem Dovbyk with Bologna is expected imminently. Director of football Tony D'Amico is close to securing Konstantinos Koulierakis, the left-footed centre-back from Wolfsburg born in 2003, who has already given his full approval. An agreement with the German club is being finalised for a fee near €15 million. Koulierakis will expand Roma's central defensive options alongside Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Jan Ziółkowski pushing for a departure. In defence and the wide areas, Ivan Fresneda (Sporting Lisbon asking €20 million) and Gabriele Cacciamani, the 19-year-old Torino prospect who impressed on loan at Juve Stabia, remain under consideration at €15 million. In attack, Abde Ezzalzouli has returned to the agenda alongside Jean-Mattéo Bahoya. Real Betis are demanding €45 million, while Roma are targeting a reduction to €35 million. On outgoings, Riccardo Pagano's move to Cesena has been confirmed with a sell-on clause retained by Roma. Anass Salah-Eddine's transfer to Olympiacos for €7.5 million is closing, and Angeliño has joined Deportivo La Coruña on loan with a €3 million purchase option.

Santiago Castro will spend his first night at Roma's Trigoria training ground as the club prepares to complete his signing from Bologna. The striker has already made contact with the facility and the city ahead of the official announcement, which is expected shortly. Castro will wear the number 9 shirt, previously worn by Artem Dovbyk, who has completed the reverse transfer to Bologna. The move represents a significant arrival for Roma's attack as they reshape their forward line. Castro's immediate immersion at Trigoria underscores the club's plan to integrate him comprehensively into the new project from day one. The arrangement allows the player to familiarize himself with his new surroundings and teammates without delay.

Santiago Castro has arrived at Roma as the summer's first signing, with the class of 2004 striker set to partner or rotate with Donyell Malen as Gasperini builds attacking depth for a season that includes Champions League football. Castro was welcomed by supporters at Termini Station two days before his official presentation; his role will not be secondary, as the dual-striker system has been a recurring theme throughout Gasperini's tenure at Atalanta. Gasperini's track record shows a consistent preference for rotating or pairing two attacking players. At Atalanta, he deployed Petagna and Cornelius (2017–18, 6 goals each) before signing Duvan Zapata from Sampdoria for 26 million euros total and adopting a 3-4-1-2 formation with two strikers. Zapata and Alfredo Morelos combined for 38 goals in 2019–20 (19 each), while Zapata and Alejandro Muriel posted 19 and 26 goals respectively in 2020–21. Later signings included Matteo Scamacca, who scored 19 times in 2023–24, and eventually Mateo Retegui, who managed 28 goals last season while playing as sole striker or in partnership—the lone exception to Gasperini's two-striker preference that still delivered Champions League qualification. At Roma, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson have been ruled out through injury and poor form; Malen's 15 goals secured European football. Castro joins a squad that also includes Robinio Vaz and reportedly others, offering Gasperini the flexibility to deploy two forward options when needed.

Santiago Castro will meet Gian Piero Gasperini for the first time today and is immediately available for the resumption of training. The Argentine forward arrived in Rome yesterday with his wife Agustina Gonzalez, completed medical examinations, and signed a contract until 2031. Castro joins as deputy to Donyell Malen but is expected to play a much broader role in Roma's attack. Roma's offensive output struggled last season before Malen's arrival stabilised the side. Since joining, Malen has been ever-present in the league, scoring 14 goals in 18 starts and never missing a match. Castro's addition means Malen is no longer isolated, a significant boost for Gasperini's system. The coach prefers a 3-4-2-1 formation but has also deployed 3-4-1-2 during his career; Castro can operate as a second striker and may be paired with Malen as early as Saturday's fixture against Cardiff. The Argentine can also play across the attacking line, offering tactical flexibility. Matías Soulé remains on Roma's transfer list and has been offered to AC Milan in recent days; Sunderland is also monitoring the midfielder. Gasperini will have both options available from the weekend onwards as Roma strengthen their attacking depth.

Santiago Castro has completed his medical assessment at Campus Biomedico and arrived at Trigoria to begin life as AS Roma's new number 9. The Argentine forward, signed from Vélez, embodies the profile favoured by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini—combining the dynamism that reminds the manager of Donyell Malen or Luis Muriel from his time at Atalanta. Castro will undergo his official presentation, take his first training session under Gasperini, and link up with Roma's Argentine contingent of Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala before joining the squad for their pre-season training camp in Wales. Gasperini views Castro's arrival as a significant boost to Roma's attacking options. The 21-year-old can operate as a pure centre-forward, a mobile second striker, or a left-sided attacker, giving the Italian tactician flexibility across multiple competitions and knockout fixtures. With Paulo Dybala positioned as a playmaker, the pairing promises to unlock different offensive configurations. Castro's versatility allows Roma to tailor their formation and approach based on the opposition, strengthening the squad depth and providing certainty during the demanding season ahead.