Gasperini Boosted by Robinio Vaz's Return to Training

Robinio Vaz has returned to group training after 16 days out with a knee problem, boosting Gian Piero Gasperini's options before Roma departs for the second phase of their winter retreat in Wales. The French forward has recovered from his injury and will travel with the squad to Hensol Castle, where the Giallorossi will continue their preparations. Gasperini arrives in Wales with an expanded attacking pool. Vaz joins Castro and Koulierakis in returning to availability, giving the coach additional depth in the offensive department. The 16-day absence means Vaz has had time to build fitness and will look to make an immediate impact in the retreat sessions. Vaz is determined to secure a more prominent role within the squad rather than settle as a backup option. His recovery represents an important boost for a player eager to earn Gasperini's trust and create genuine competition in Roma's attacking ranks—a scenario the coach is ready to embrace.

Roma have confirmed their first signing of the summer transfer window. Santiago Castro has joined from Bologna as a Roma player and will wear the number 9 shirt, vacated by Artem Dovbyk. The Ukrainian striker completes the reverse move to Bologna, where he will attempt a fresh start under Tedesco. The swap represents Roma's opening business of the transfer market, with the club's sporting director D'Amico continuing recruitment work. Castro takes up a key offensive role in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad, while Dovbyk seeks to rediscover his form in Serie A after his time in the Italian capital.

Santiago Castro has joined Roma from Bologna on a permanent transfer for €35 million, with the Argentine striker expressing his eagerness to contribute under Gian Piero Gasperini. Castro told Roma's official channels: "It was a short negotiation, I wanted to come from the first moment. I spoke with the sporting director, they told me what they expect from me, I felt the confidence and I know what I can do to help the squad. Since I heard from them I chose straight away to come here." On Gasperini, he added: "I like him. He does very well in Italy for years, I'm here to give a hand, I can do what he wants." Roma have swiftly moved to strengthen their defence with the signing of Konstantinos Koulierakis, a 2003-born centre-back from Wolfsburg, on a permanent deal worth approximately €15 million. The left-footed Greek defender will undergo medical tests and sign his contract in the coming days, competing with Hermoso for the left-centre role in Gasperini's three-man defence. Meanwhile, Angeliño departs on loan to Deportivo La Coruña with a €2 million buyout clause, returning to the Spanish club where he developed through the youth system. Roma have tabled an official €25 million offer to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, with sporting director Tony D'Amico opening direct negotiations to find a resolution. Nottingham Forest remain interested but have had two bids rejected. The coming days are expected to be decisive in the pursuit of a replacement for Çelik on the right flank.

Robinio Vaz has returned to group training after 16 days out with a knee problem, boosting Gian Piero Gasperini's options before Roma departs for the second phase of their winter retreat in Wales. The French forward has recovered from his injury and will travel with the squad to Hensol Castle, where the Giallorossi will continue their preparations. Gasperini arrives in Wales with an expanded attacking pool. Vaz joins Castro and Koulierakis in returning to availability, giving the coach additional depth in the offensive department. The 16-day absence means Vaz has had time to build fitness and will look to make an immediate impact in the retreat sessions. Vaz is determined to secure a more prominent role within the squad rather than settle as a backup option. His recovery represents an important boost for a player eager to earn Gasperini's trust and create genuine competition in Roma's attacking ranks—a scenario the coach is ready to embrace.

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 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 radio commentators have offered conflicting assessments of the club's transfer strategy heading into the final month of the window. Ilario Di Giovambattista rated Nusa's arrival at Roma as 85% likely, describing him as a strong signing and suggesting that adding him alongside Malen, Dybala and Castro would form an attractive attacking unit. He noted that head coach Gasperini deploys six players across the front line during matches. Other voices struck a more cautious tone. Roberto Pruzzo estimated only a 10% chance that Nusa joins Roma. The transfer priority debate also centred on full-back depth: Piero Torri argued that Roma must sign two wing-backs after Zeki Çelik's departure, stating the club currently has only Wesley and Devyne Rensch in those positions. "You have to compulsorily take two players, and one must be a starter," Torri said, adding that a month remains before the market closes. Vocalelli expressed confidence in the Friedkin Group's spending plans, noting they have consistently invested funds and will address remaining squad needs. Nando Orsi referenced Gasperini's preference for depth at every position, questioning whether the new CEO understands that Gasperini commands final say on recruitment.

Roma face Cardiff City in a pre-season friendly on 1 August at 16:00 at Cardiff City Stadium, marking their first match of the Wales training camp following earlier warm-up fixtures against Primavera, Trastevere and Cannes. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will field a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso across the back; Rensch and Wesley as wing-backs; El Aynaoui and Cristante in midfield; Dybala and Soulé in attacking support; with Malen leading the line. Tickets for the friendly are available through Cardiff City's official website. The match will be shown live on streaming platform DAZN, with a repeat broadcast at 21:30 on Italian channel NOVE. Live text coverage with real-time updates will be available on ilromanista.eu.

Santiago Castro's AS Roma career is officially underway following his arrival in Rome, where he was greeted by approximately 300 supporters at Termini station. The 2004-born Argentine has completed his medical examination and met with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at Trigoria, also reconnecting with fellow countryman Matías Soulé and receiving a welcome from Paulo Dybala. Castro will inherit the number 9 shirt vacated by Artem Dovbyk and has signed through to 2031 on a net salary of 2 million euros per season. Roma invested 35 million euros plus bonus payments and retain 10 per cent of any future resale fee to Bologna for the acquisition. Gasperini gains a quick, technical striker suited to his tactical demands and capable of operating alongside Donyell Malen in either a 3-4-1-2 formation or with the Dutch winger deployed out wide. Castro arrives in full physical condition and will travel with the squad for their winter training camp in Wales, where he is expected to feature in the upcoming friendly against Cardiff to build match fitness.