Champions League windfall: Roma guaranteed nearly €50 million for 2026–27

Mile Svilar addressed reporters following Roma's friendly against Cannes, firmly stating he had received no contact regarding reported Juventus interest. "Frankly I know nothing about this story. I cannot say anything, because I was not consulted. For me today there is only Roma and I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans," the goalkeeper said. Roma are in their pre-season preparation phase, with Svilar highlighting the intensity of the physical work underway. He felt the first half against Cannes went well but questioned the dismissal of Wesley, which forced Roma to play with a numerical disadvantage in a friendly fixture. Svilar stressed that results cannot yet be measured and that another month of work is needed before competitive matches begin. With Champions League football on the horizon alongside domestic duties, he acknowledged the challenge of the double commitment but expressed confidence in Roma's ability to manage it. Looking ahead to the season, Svilar declared: "Frankly? I do not fear anyone. I cannot wait to play real matches, whatever opponent we face." The goalkeeper's comments underline Roma's ambitions as they prepare for a campaign that will include Europe's premier club competition.

Santiago Castro has become a familiar thorn in Roma's side since arriving in Italy, facing the Giallorossi seven times and scoring twice while adding two assists and suffering only two defeats. The Argentine forward's most significant performance came in the Europa League round-of-16 second leg at the Olimpico, where he orchestrated Bologna's comeback victory in front of a packed stadium. After a 1–1 draw in the first leg at the Dall'Ara, Castro provided the assist for Rowe's opening goal before adding his own clinical finish—a right-footed strike into the top corner that left Mile Svilar helpless—to make it 3–1. Castro has now demonstrated his complete attacking arsenal at the Olimpico: intelligent link-up play, determination, and clinical finishing. He had previously left his mark in a Roma–Bologna fixture at the same venue the season before, scoring opportunistically from a corner and setting up Orsolini for the 2–1 goal. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to harness Castro's qualities and develop him further, drawing on his proven track record of elevating attacking talent throughout his career.

Roma have made no new additions to their squad ahead of next season's Champions League group phase, with Donyell Malen's permanent signing from Aston Villa for €25 million not counting as a fresh arrival since the Dutch winger joined on loan in January. Only three other clubs already qualified for Europe's top competition—Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, and Villarreal—have similarly avoided summer reinforcements so far. Napoli have invested over €60 million in permanent signings but acquired only players already in their 2025–26 squad, including the redemptions of Højlund, Alisson Santos, and Milinkovic-Savic. PSG, the reigning European champions, have only brought in 18-year-old goalkeeper Alessandro Longoni from AC Milan's youth academy on a free transfer, a prospect likely destined for the Under-19s rather than the first team. Villarreal, meanwhile, remain at zero spending. As rivals strengthen their ranks—Sporting investing over €100 million, Como confirming Nico Paz for €60 million and rescuing Morata while signing Liberali and Milla for €6 million each—Roma face mounting pressure to act. Arsenal have spent €80 million on Hincapié and Tzolis; Manchester City €135 million on Anderson alone; Manchester United €97 million on Andrey Santos and Tielemans.