Gasperini backs Castro as a starter in Roma's Champions League project

Santiago Castro has arrived in Rome ahead of his move to AS Roma, with roughly 200 giallorossi supporters greeting the Argentine striker at Termini station. The 2004-born forward, who spent two and a half seasons at Bologna, is set to become Roma's first signing of the 2026–27 season barring any last-minute surprises. Roma will pay €30 million plus €3 million in add-ons to secure Castro's services. The transfer involves a player exchange: Artem Dovbyk is poised to move in the opposite direction and join Bologna. Castro will undergo medical examinations on the following day to complete the formalities of his switch to the Stadio Olimpico club.

Castro has arrived in Rome as the Giallorossi's first signing of the transfer window. The player was greeted by around 250 supporters at Termini station on Tuesday, where he will undergo medical examinations and sign his contract. Castro's arrival marks a significant addition to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as Roma continues its summer recruitment. The signing comes as the club also pursues other targets, including a wide player, while managing the ongoing transfer activity involving current squad members. The forward is set to complete the formalities with medical clearance and contract signature on Tuesday, officially becoming part of the Giallorossi roster.

Santiago Castro has completed his transfer to AS Roma from Bologna, arriving at Termini station on 27 July to a warm reception from more than 300 giallorossi fans. The Argentine forward joins on a permanent deal worth approximately €35 million including bonuses, with Artem Dovbyk moving in the opposite direction to Bologna on loan with a right of purchase. The transfer represents Roma's first significant addition of the summer window. Supporters gathered outside Termini station to greet Castro, chanting and displaying personalised shirts as the new arrival made his way through the crowd. The deal sees Dovbyk leave Rome temporarily as part of the arrangement, providing depth in attack for both clubs as they prepare for the new season.

Santiago Castro has become Roma's first signing of the transfer window. The Argentine striker will undergo medical tests on Tuesday and sign his contract with the giallorossi. He joins from Bologna for €35 million plus 10 per cent of future resale proceeds, making him the fifth most expensive acquisition in the club's history. Castro will earn €2.2 million per season, double his Bologna salary; Fiorentina reportedly offered more, but the player prioritised Roma. Gasperini now has three forward options, with Castro potentially forming a 3-4-1-2 partnership alongside Donyell Malen rather than operating purely as a deputy. The 2004-born forward's arrival signals the manager's tactical flexibility in attack. Separately, Artem Dovbyk has joined Bologna on loan with a purchase option, departing Rome after his initial spell.

Roma have signed Santiago Castro from Bologna for €35 million plus bonuses, with the Emilia-Romagna club retaining 10% of any future sale. The 20-year-old Argentine striker enters the club's all-time transfer rankings at fifth place, surpassing Antonio Cassano's €31 million fee from Bari in 2001–02. Only Gabriel Batistuta (€36.15 million from Fiorentina in 2000–01) ranks ahead in a crowded top five. The podium is occupied by Tammy Abraham (€41 million from Chelsea), Artem Dovbyk (€41.1 million from Girona), and Luka Schick (€42 million from Sampdoria). Castro will operate as more than a backup to Donyell Malen, representing the opening salvo of a potentially expansive January window under the Friedkin Group's ownership. The club has set ambitious targets across the market; figures in the frame include Nusa, for whom RB Leipzig are reportedly seeking over €55 million, as well as Adingra, Leao (reportedly close to a Turkish club move), Alajbegovic, and Martinelli.

Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in a pre-season friendly under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a free-kick before Donyell Malen doubled the lead, but Roma were reduced to ten men when Wesley received a second yellow card. After the interval, Dybala added a second goal to make it 3-0, but Cannes mounted a comeback through Lopes, who scored twice including one from the penalty spot, and Oggad to level the match in the closing stages. This was Roma's third summer friendly and demonstrated both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability during the preparation period. The match showcased contributions from two key squad members in Dybala and Malen, though the late collapse and numerical disadvantage highlighted areas for improvement as Gasperini continues his pre-season work.

Santiago Castro has completed his move to Roma from Bologna for €35 million including bonuses on a five-year contract. The Argentine striker will arrive at Termini station around 23:45 this evening before undergoing medical examinations tomorrow and signing his deal. His arrival triggers Artem Dovbyk's departure to Bologna on a loan with a purchase option, with the Ukrainian's €3.5 million salary covered by the Emilian club. Dovbyk will travel to Bologna tomorrow for his medical. Castro's signing marks Roma's primary attacking reinforcement ahead of the new season, particularly with Champions League football on the horizon. Gasperini has prioritised two strong forward options, and club sources confirm Roma rejected a loan approach for Robinio Vaz before Bologna proposed Dovbyk as an alternative. Roma's hierarchy has also made Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal a priority. Following recent signings of Dybala, Mancini, and Cristante, the club aims to extend Pellegrini's deal before the squad departs for a pre-season training camp in Wales. Pellegrini's new contract is projected to run until 2028 with an optional further season, offering €2.5 million annually plus bonuses. Rome's mayor Gualtieri confirmed progress on the new Stadio della Roma at Pietralata. At an institutional meeting on Friday involving Regional President Rocca and ministers Abodi and Salvini, Gualtieri stated: "Today we make another leap forward in the procedures for stadium construction. An entire area regeneration with a stadium at its centre that will have the world's largest Curva and will be a joy for all sports fans. The services conference will be concluded by September." Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo praised Castro as "a great player, strong" with quality to play centre-forward or provide assists.

Santiago Castro has arrived as Roma's first summer signing, reportedly costing around 35 million euros. The Argentine striker was acquired to challenge Donyell Malen for the centre-forward role, but his impact is expected to extend far beyond that of a mere substitute. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has repeatedly shown his need for genuine attacking depth, with last season exposing the toll on Malen of playing nearly every match without adequate relief. Robinio Vaz failed to convince as an alternative, while Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk were hampered by injury. Castro's profile—goal-scoring instinct, ability to attack space, ball retention, and defensive work-rate—fits Gasperini's demands perfectly. Last season at Bologna, he committed more fouls than any teammate, a marker of his combative nature. He was also second in the squad for duels won. Rather than operate solely as a backup, Castro can start alongside Malen in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Matías Soulé or Paulo Dybala deployed behind the two strikers. This shape, a Gasperini favourite from his Atalanta years, allows Castro's defensive intensity to free Malen for ball-carrying and finishing. Gasperini seldom deploys attackers on the wing; he requires his forwards positioned as close to goal as possible. The signing signals Roma's intent to reinvigorate an attack that misfired last season.

Roma departed for Nice shortly before 10:00 and will reach Cannes by coach for their third pre-season fixture at 17:30 (live on Dazn) against the club owned by the Friedkin Group. Head coach Gasperini will deploy a front three of Dybala, Soulé, and Malen, with midfield reinforcements required due to absences. Pisilli and Vaz are unavailable through injury, while Cherubini misses out with fever. Central midfield will pair the young Bah with Cristante, flanked by Wesley and Rensch, while Svilar starts in goal behind a defensive line of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso. Notably absent is Koné, though Neil El Aynaoui—currently on holiday in Cannes—will attend the match as a spectator before officially rejoining the squad on 30 July to depart for Wales, where the second phase of pre-season training will take place. A second-string lineup and Primavera players will feature in the second half. Roma will return to the capital after the match. Gasperini has granted the squad two days of rest, with no training scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Santiago Castro has completed his move to Roma from Bologna for €35 million including bonuses on a five-year contract. The Argentine striker will arrive at Termini station around 23:45 this evening before undergoing medical examinations tomorrow and signing his deal. His arrival triggers Artem Dovbyk's departure to Bologna on a loan with a purchase option, with the Ukrainian's €3.5 million salary covered by the Emilian club. Dovbyk will travel to Bologna tomorrow for his medical. Castro's signing marks Roma's primary attacking reinforcement ahead of the new season, particularly with Champions League football on the horizon. Gasperini has prioritised two strong forward options, and club sources confirm Roma rejected a loan approach for Robinio Vaz before Bologna proposed Dovbyk as an alternative. Roma's hierarchy has also made Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal a priority. Following recent signings of Dybala, Mancini, and Cristante, the club aims to extend Pellegrini's deal before the squad departs for a pre-season training camp in Wales. Pellegrini's new contract is projected to run until 2028 with an optional further season, offering €2.5 million annually plus bonuses. Rome's mayor Gualtieri confirmed progress on the new Stadio della Roma at Pietralata. At an institutional meeting on Friday involving Regional President Rocca and ministers Abodi and Salvini, Gualtieri stated: "Today we make another leap forward in the procedures for stadium construction. An entire area regeneration with a stadium at its centre that will have the world's largest Curva and will be a joy for all sports fans. The services conference will be concluded by September." Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo praised Castro as "a great player, strong" with quality to play centre-forward or provide assists.

Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in a pre-season friendly under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a free-kick before Donyell Malen doubled the lead, but Roma were reduced to ten men when Wesley received a second yellow card. After the interval, Dybala added a second goal to make it 3-0, but Cannes mounted a comeback through Lopes, who scored twice including one from the penalty spot, and Oggad to level the match in the closing stages. This was Roma's third summer friendly and demonstrated both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability during the preparation period. The match showcased contributions from two key squad members in Dybala and Malen, though the late collapse and numerical disadvantage highlighted areas for improvement as Gasperini continues his pre-season work.

Santiago Castro has arrived as Roma's first summer signing, reportedly costing around 35 million euros. The Argentine striker was acquired to challenge Donyell Malen for the centre-forward role, but his impact is expected to extend far beyond that of a mere substitute. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has repeatedly shown his need for genuine attacking depth, with last season exposing the toll on Malen of playing nearly every match without adequate relief. Robinio Vaz failed to convince as an alternative, while Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk were hampered by injury. Castro's profile—goal-scoring instinct, ability to attack space, ball retention, and defensive work-rate—fits Gasperini's demands perfectly. Last season at Bologna, he committed more fouls than any teammate, a marker of his combative nature. He was also second in the squad for duels won. Rather than operate solely as a backup, Castro can start alongside Malen in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Matías Soulé or Paulo Dybala deployed behind the two strikers. This shape, a Gasperini favourite from his Atalanta years, allows Castro's defensive intensity to free Malen for ball-carrying and finishing. Gasperini seldom deploys attackers on the wing; he requires his forwards positioned as close to goal as possible. The signing signals Roma's intent to reinvigorate an attack that misfired last season.