Cecchetti backs Castro as starter, not Malen backup

Gianluca Mancini has reinforced his commitment to AS Roma by getting the letters 'SPQR' tattooed on his left thigh, a symbol of his deep connection to the club. The centre-back rejected interest from Inter Milan during the summer transfer window and signed a contract renewal on 18 July that keeps him at Roma until 2029. Mancini's agent Giuseppe Riso revealed to fcinter1908 that the defender had turned down more lucrative offers elsewhere. Riso said: "I wanted to take him away with even more important offers (laughs) but he wanted at all costs to stay at Roma." He continued: "Gasperini and D'Amico were better than me at convincing him, I would have sold him but he refused everything for Roma. It's a gesture he makes for Roma." Riso added: "I told him he's crazy, I'm happy because he's happy. He could have earned more but he's happy." Mancini's refusal to join Inter came as the Nerazzurri sought defensive reinforcement under Chivu. Riso also praised fellow Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante, saying: "He never had any intention of leaving Roma, he is Roma's captain and will go down in the history of the club forever." The agent's comments underline the loyalty both players have shown to the Giallorossi despite external interest.

Gianluca Mancini turned down multiple rich transfer proposals during the summer window to remain at Roma, according to his agent Giuseppe Riso. Despite interest from other clubs, the centre-back was determined to continue his career at the Giallorossi and defend the club's colours. Riso told FcInter1908 that he had wanted to sell Mancini and move him away from Roma, but the player refused every option. "Gianluca Mancini for me is mad! I wanted to sell him and take him away from Roma, he refused everything in order to stay. He had very rich offers, I would have sold him. Gasperini and D'Amico were better than me at convincing him," the agent said. Riso also discussed fellow client Bryan Cristante, emphasising the midfielder's commitment to Roma. "Bryan Cristante is the captain and never thought of leaving Roma. He has 360 matches in the Giallorosso shirt… he will enter Roma's history forever," Riso added. Both players have demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the club despite external temptation, reinforcing their status as key figures in the squad under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Roma are continuing their January transfer activity and have set their sights on Nicolas Raskin, the Belgian midfielder at Glasgow Rangers. Sporting director Tony D'Amico is looking to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad across all departments, with an attacking winger remaining the priority but reinforcements planned throughout the team. Raskin, born in 2001, is keen to leave Rangers and take the next step in his career after impressing at the World Cup, where he made six appearances and provided two assists before his side's quarter-final exit against Spain. The 23-year-old has attracted attention from multiple clubs, with Villarreal also in the hunt and currently holding a slight advantage in the race. In his last season in Scotland, Raskin made 50 appearances for Rangers, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists. Roma believe the midfielder could be an upgrade on their current options, though the Catalan club's position means the outcome remains uncertain.

Roma have completed the Santiago Castro signing for €35M including add-ons and will resume their search for a fast attacker, but Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford remain unrealistic targets. Both players earn around €11M gross annually, significantly more than Roma's top earners—a wage gap that also prevented Mason Greenwood from moving to the Italian capital. Artem Dovbyk is departing on loan to Bologna with a €17M option to buy, where he will work with coach Giovanni Tedesco to revive his career. Antonio Nusa currently leads Roma's shortlist as an alternative, though RB Leipzig are in advanced talks to sell Yan Diomande to Real Madrid, which could complicate the pursuit. Rashford's name emerged during discussions with Manchester United over Manu Koné, but the club have not aggressively pursued the Frenchman despite his impressive Barcelona loan spell—14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances. Roma's investment in a centre-forward after a summer spent hunting for a winger appears strategic; Castro and Donyell Malen can both operate as mobile forwards. Matías Soulé remains at the club, and Roma may yet explore another attacking addition depending on tactical requirements.

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings roundup highlights Paulo Dybala's perfectly struck free-kick against Cannes in a friendly, earning top marks for technical excellence regardless of the opposition's standard. Donyell Malen has returned from his recent World Cup commitments with renewed hunger for goals and prominence in Roma's attacking play, while Devyne Rensch is already showing signs of sharpness and remains underrated heading into official fixtures. Pierluigi Gollini's position as second-choice keeper warrants reflection from the club. Matías Soulé's fitness condition drew specific mention from Gasperini in a recent press conference, with Soulé appearing among those most behind pace during the Cannes match—though this observation carries no bearing on ongoing transfer considerations. Angeliño's search for match sharpness requires respectful patience rather than unsolicited commentary. The wider ratings reflect concerns about Italy's national team setup under new management, with political interference in sporting matters undermining both the sport itself and public confidence.

Radio Roma commentators have weighed in on the club's transfer strategy following its opening move, with widespread consensus that an attacking winger remains the urgent priority before the squad departs for Wales. Lorenzo Pes said: "The first market move is a bit late; now D'Amico's mission is to sign the winger before the trip to Wales. Beyond Nusa there are other profiles we don't know about; after Summerville, Roma is working behind the scenes, and they're trying to close a deal before Friday." Simone Valdarchi added that an attacking winger "will be a fundamental piece the club wants to cover," while Piero Torri expects both a full-back and an attacking winger to arrive within two weeks. Roberto Pruzzo praised Castro as "an excellent level player" but stressed that Roma must still complete its attacking setup. He noted: "Now you have Dybala, you have Soulé, you have Castro, you have Malen…you don't have physicality, but you have players who are at a very high level." Valdarchi also suggested that a departure may follow, naming Koné as a potential sale, and noted that Salah-Eddine is set to leave in the coming days. The consensus reflects a broader view that while Roma's squad possesses technical quality, the club must act swiftly to address gaps before competitive action begins.

Roma are accelerating their pursuit of a new right-back after Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus on a free transfer. Sporting CP's Ivan Fresneda, a Spanish winger born in 2004, has emerged as the club's primary target, according to reports from Matteo Moretto. Sporting are holding firm on an initial valuation of 25 million euros for the young talent, and Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is currently assessing the financial viability of the move ahead of a potential bid in the coming days. The search for Fresneda underscores Roma's determination to reshape their right flank and bolster their attacking unit. Gasperini has made clear his desire for swift action in the transfer window, particularly as the squad prepares for their training camp in Wales. The head coach believes the recent arrival of Santiago Castro alone is insufficient to complete the squad, and he is pushing for decisive acceleration in recruitment timelines. D'Amico is weighing up both the cost and economic sustainability of pursuing Fresneda at Sporting's asking price. The club's emphasis on the right side comes as part of broader summer restructuring that extends beyond defensive needs.

Roma are actively searching for a replacement on the right flank following Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus on a free transfer. The leading target is Ivan Fresneda, the Spanish defender born in 2004 at Sporting CP. Director of sport D'Amico has identified Fresneda as a priority and is currently assessing the feasibility and costs of a deal. Sporting have set an initial valuation of €25 million, and while Roma are considering their options, the club may attempt a move in the coming days. Gasperini is pushing to accelerate business in the transfer market ahead of the pre-season training camp in Wales. The coach has flagged that the current squad lacks depth across multiple positions and cannot rely solely on recent signing Castro to address all the gaps. Roma's recruitment team is working across multiple departments to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season.

Roma are overhauling their full-back options as head coach Gasperini reshapes the squad. Salah-Eddine is poised to leave, with PSV Eindhoven positioned to conclude a deal following his loan spell there last season, though the defender had preferred a Premier League move. Angeliño, the Spanish left-back, has not convinced Gasperini during pre-season and Roma are looking to sell him; Deportivo la Coruña have shown interest but no formal approach has arrived. On the right flank, Roma are targeting Sporting Lisbon's Fresneda at a cost of around €15 million, with the club working to reduce that valuation. Diego Moreira remains the dream signing for the left wing but Strasbourg's high demands are complicating that pursuit. Wesley remains the established starter with Devyne Rensch as cover, though Gasperini wants additional depth across the flank positions. Zeki Çelik, previously in that role, is no longer part of the plans. Roma are also monitoring Cacciamani of Torino, who has returned from his loan at Juve Stabia, though Belghali is also under consideration despite fitness concerns.

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings roundup highlights Paulo Dybala's perfectly struck free-kick against Cannes in a friendly, earning top marks for technical excellence regardless of the opposition's standard. Donyell Malen has returned from his recent World Cup commitments with renewed hunger for goals and prominence in Roma's attacking play, while Devyne Rensch is already showing signs of sharpness and remains underrated heading into official fixtures. Pierluigi Gollini's position as second-choice keeper warrants reflection from the club. Matías Soulé's fitness condition drew specific mention from Gasperini in a recent press conference, with Soulé appearing among those most behind pace during the Cannes match—though this observation carries no bearing on ongoing transfer considerations. Angeliño's search for match sharpness requires respectful patience rather than unsolicited commentary. The wider ratings reflect concerns about Italy's national team setup under new management, with political interference in sporting matters undermining both the sport itself and public confidence.

Roma are pursuing a significant revamp of their defensive and attacking flanks following Santiago Castro's arrival. Sporting CP's Ivan Fresneda remains the priority target for the right-back position, with the Portuguese club valuing the Spanish defender at approximately €15 million. Roma are intensifying diplomatic contact to negotiate that fee downwards. Wesley is the first-choice right-back, with Devyne Rensch providing cover, though the club believes additional quality additions are necessary. Rafik Belghali remains a backup option but has not entirely convinced the coaching staff due to fitness concerns. On the left flank, a major restructure is underway. Anass Salah-Eddine is close to departing after failing to fit Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical requirements, with PSV Eindhoven preparing a return deal following his loan spell there last season. The player had preferred a Premier League move, but PSV are advancing towards completing the transfer. Angeliño's position is also uncertain. The Spanish defender has not fully convinced Gasperini during pre-season and Roma will consider offers for him. Deportivo La Coruña have registered interest, though no formal bids have yet reached the club.

Roma are overhauling their full-back options as head coach Gasperini reshapes the squad. Salah-Eddine is poised to leave, with PSV Eindhoven positioned to conclude a deal following his loan spell there last season, though the defender had preferred a Premier League move. Angeliño, the Spanish left-back, has not convinced Gasperini during pre-season and Roma are looking to sell him; Deportivo la Coruña have shown interest but no formal approach has arrived. On the right flank, Roma are targeting Sporting Lisbon's Fresneda at a cost of around €15 million, with the club working to reduce that valuation. Diego Moreira remains the dream signing for the left wing but Strasbourg's high demands are complicating that pursuit. Wesley remains the established starter with Devyne Rensch as cover, though Gasperini wants additional depth across the flank positions. Zeki Çelik, previously in that role, is no longer part of the plans. Roma are also monitoring Cacciamani of Torino, who has returned from his loan at Juve Stabia, though Belghali is also under consideration despite fitness concerns.