Feyenoord dig in on Read; Roma turn to Molina

Roma's pursuit of Givairo Read has collapsed after Feyenoord unexpectedly raised their demands during final-stage talks. Roma had offered approximately €28–29 million in total, including bonuses, moving closer to Feyenoord's initial €30 million valuation and exceeding rival offers from Nottingham Forest. After requesting a night to consider the proposal, Feyenoord shifted position dramatically, demanding €30 million plus bonuses to reach nearly €35 million—a move that reportedly frustrated Roma's hierarchy. The sudden escalation prompted Roma to immediately abandon the Read option and pivot to pursuing Molina instead. The breakdown underscores the volatility of late-stage transfer negotiations and the tactical positioning often deployed by selling clubs to maximize fees. Roma's swift decision to walk away suggests the club's preference for alternative targets over capitulating to what they viewed as unreasonable late demands.

Roma are on the verge of completing the permanent acquisition of right-back Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid. Head coach Gasperini is set to welcome the Argentine defender after the two clubs reached agreement on a fee of €13 million plus €4 million in bonuses, according to Sky Sport and Fabrizio Romano. Molina has already signalled his approval of the move, with only contractual details remaining to be finalised. Roma are working towards a deal worth €2.8 million annually—the same salary Molina earned at Madrid but with a longer contract duration. The transfer is expected to be completed between today and tomorrow, barring any unforeseen complications.

Roma have completed two official signings — Castro and Koulierakis — with Molina approaching a deal, but Gian Piero Gasperini is growing increasingly puzzled by the lack of further arrivals as the club aims to compete on three fronts including the Champions League. The Friedkin Group's ownership presence in the stands during recent activity has offered little reassurance; behind cautious public statements, Gasperini's frustration is mounting as days pass without new players arriving. The stall in the market is already affecting Gasperini's preparation. Roma's second consecutive friendly displayed the problem plainly: for lack of reinforcements, the coach deployed a trequartista behind two strikers, a formation born more of necessity than choice. The side struggled against Newport County, the twentieth-placed side in last season's League Two (English fourth tier), before winning 4–1 with goals from Hermoso, Castro (penalty), Koulierakis and Soulé; Newport scored through Kyle. Only the defence is genuinely complete in squad depth. Every other area remains in flux, leaving Gasperini unable to finalize his tactical setup or implement meaningful summer rotations without disrupting the team's balance.

Roma are finalizing the signing of Givairo Read, a right-back born in 2006 from Feyenoord, after the Dutch club accepted their offer on 3 August. The deal is worth €25 million plus approximately €2.5 million in bonuses, and Read has been pushing for the move following talks with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the prospect of playing Champions League football. The transfer is expected to be completed imminently, with bonuses to be finalized. Read is set to join Roma in Wales, where the club play their second friendly against Newport on 4 August at 20:00 (live on DAZN). Read's arrival will fill the right-back slot left by Zeki Çelik's departure. Gasperini is still hunting three more signings, with a left winger his priority. RB Leipzig's asking price for Nusa remains €60 million, prompting Roma to explore alternatives including Stuttgart's Leweling and Lyon's Fofana, though there are fitness concerns over the latter. A potential return move for Tel has also emerged as a possibility, contingent on Tottenham's pursuit of Manchester City's Savinho; if that deal goes through, Frankfurt's interest in Tel could create an opening for Roma to revive their interest in the French winger.

Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unsigned but appears increasingly likely to remain at Roma after breakthrough progress in contract renewal negotiations. The midfielder has been without a club since 30 June and is awaiting final approval from ownership to complete the deal. An agreement in principle has been reached, but the Friedkin Group's definitive sign-off is still needed to finalise terms. Pellegrini, Roma's number 7, is training independently while the squad conducts its preseason camp in Wales. He is eager to rejoin the group at the earliest opportunity. In a telling sign of his commitment, his athletic trainer Dario Maggesi posted a social media image showing Pellegrini working out in Roma's yellow-and-red training shorts—a detail that underscores his desire to stay with the club. The renewal represents the final piece of Roma's summer business after retaining Paulo Dybala, who elected to extend his stay, while midfielder Zeki Çelik departed for Juventus.

Devyne Rensch has declared himself fit and ready for the new season after overcoming a foot injury, speaking exclusively from Roma's pre-season camp in Cardiff. The Dutch defender has become Roma's first-choice right-back following Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus, and believes the rigorous demands of new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will help him develop both as a player and as a person. "Gasperini brings a lot of energy, mentality, and tactical work," Rensch said. "He motivates you, pushes you to exceed your limits and beat your opponent. He's a very demanding coach who makes you work hard, but he's excellent both on and off the pitch in developing every aspect of the player and the person." Rensch also reflected on his emotional signing for Roma earlier this year, recalling the tears of joy he shed at Trigoria. He scored a crucial equaliser in Roma's Champions League-securing match against Parma—before Donyell Malen's penalty—and has praised the competitive spirit now building at the club ahead of simultaneous challenges in Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League. When asked about a potential arrival of fellow Dutchman Givairo Read, Rensch expressed enthusiasm: "It would be nice to have another Dutch player with us. Malen and I could help him settle in and integrate quickly." Rensch acknowledged that while the Parma goal was special, the focus must now turn to the challenges ahead. "That's the past," he said. "We need to move forward and concentrate on what lies in front of us, because now we must work even harder to be competitive across all competitions."