Gasperini's miracle: now a Champions League transfer strategy. Greenwood to Nusa among the targets

Manu Koné travelled to San Pedro del Pinatar in Murcia to visit his former club Toulouse while the French national team completed their summer training camp. The Roma midfielder posted on social media about the visit, saying: "When I was in the centre, I was told that once you wear the violet shirt, you become part of the Toulouse family forever. It was important to come back here, meet familiar faces and exchange with the new generation of pitchounes. Thank you all for the welcome, I wish you the best for this season." Koné is set to return to the centre of Gian Piero Gasperini's midfield after his international commitments. He is expected in Rome on Monday 10 August to begin pre-season preparation. The number 17 had been subject to market speculation linking him to Manchester United, but those reports have now been put to rest.

Torino president Urbano Cairo has reaffirmed his intention to keep left-back Alessio Cacciamani, a 2007-born player coveted by Roma. Speaking to Sky Sport, Cairo confirmed multiple clubs are pursuing the defender but expressed his desire to retain him. "I'm keeping him very close," Cairo said. "There is a lot of interest in him, not just from Roma. I would really like to keep him. Then we'll see how the market develops and how things end up. I don't want to say I'm 100% sure he will stay with us, but I hope to be able to do a series of other things so he can remain with us." The Torino chief acknowledged that Cacciamani's future depends on the club's ability to manage their finances. "It depends on the offers but also on the alternatives we have in outgoings," he said. "We need to do something, because otherwise an economically difficult situation opens up. So we need to do something in sales too, because so far we've done almost only incomings. I don't want to make empty promises—I would like Cacciamani to be with us all next year. We're working for that to happen." Cacciamani remains a target for Roma as the club prepares for a friendly against Brighton (kickoff 16:00 Italian time) in their final preseason test. Gasperini's side continue pursuing reinforcements in defence following the imminent arrival of Molina and Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal.

Roma have entered the running to sign Teun Koopmeiners from Juventus, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Dutch midfielder, 28, has fallen out of favour under Luciano Spalletti at the Allianz Stadium and is expected to leave Turin before the close of the summer window. Juventus paid Atalanta €55 million to sign Koopmeiners in 2024, but he has failed to settle. Last season he made 33 Serie A appearances, starting just 18 matches, and finished without a single goal contribution. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to strengthen the midfield, with Manu Koné's future uncertain amid reported interest from Manchester United. If Koné departs, Roma would need to fill a significant gap in the engine room, and Koopmeiners has been identified as a potential target. The Giallorossi are optimistic about their chances given that Champions League football is returning to the capital. However, Roma face competition from the Premier League, with Aston Villa and Manchester United also reportedly considering a move for the former AZ Alkmaar player.

Roma faced Brighton at the Amex Stadium in the final warm-up match of their British tour. Gasperini named Donyell Malen in the starting eleven, while leaving new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis on the bench to manage their workload ahead of the 2026–27 season opener. The Roma boss fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and a four-strong midfield of Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, and Wesley. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala occupied the advanced midfield roles, with Malen leading the attack. The fixture served as a final examination of the squad's preparation during the pre-season tour, with Gasperini using the match to assess combinations and match sharpness before competitive action resumes.

Roma played their final pre-season fixture in England at Brighton, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielding a squad featuring Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in support roles behind Donyell Malen in attack. The Giallorossi lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation at the American Express Stadium, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Bryan Cristante wearing the captain's armband. The match offered Gasperini a chance to test his players against Brighton, who finished eighth in the Premier League last season, as Roma prepare to return to their training base at Trigoria. The fixture represented the most demanding friendly of Roma's pre-season schedule to date. Gasperini used the encounter to evaluate his squad ahead of any final transfer business before the new season begins. Devyne Rensch and Neil El Aynaoui operated as full-backs, while Manu Koné occupied a midfield spot alongside Cristante. The absence of several first-team regulars from the starting lineup reflected the manager's rotation strategy during the summer preparation period.

Roma continue their pre-season preparation in England on Saturday 8 August, facing Brighton at the American Express Stadium with kickoff at 16:00. Head coach Gasperini will be without Molina, who will join the squad directly at Trigoria, though Malen is available. Pisilli and Bah remain sidelined through injury. The friendly forms part of Roma's summer training schedule following their time in Wales. Gasperini has confirmed his squad composition for the match, with the unavailability of two key players due to injury requiring tactical adjustments. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, accessible via the app or official website through smartphone, PC, or tablet.

Jonathan Rowe, Bologna's striker, has praised Santiago Castro's move to Roma and offered warm words about Artem Dovbyk, who has made the reverse journey from the Giallorossi to Bologna this summer. Rowe told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'm happy for him. I wish him to grow further at Roma because he's an excellent player and a friend. It will be very strange to face him, we hope he does well except against us." On Dovbyk, who departed Roma for Bologna, Rowe said: "For me he's a top player. He has physicality, technique, he sees the goal. He has everything to do well and to get his revenge. I'm very happy he's with us." The comments reflect the close relationship between the two Serie A sides, with Castro and Dovbyk swapping clubs in the current transfer window.

Roma radio commentators have dissected coach Gian Piero Gasperini's sudden withdrawal from media duties, with speculation linking his frustration to the club's transfer strategy and budget constraints. Matera reported that Gasperini did not attend a scheduled Sky interview after being in contact with the club hierarchy on Thursday, with Ryan Friedkin reportedly in France during the call. Matera noted that until Wednesday evening Gasperini had appeared calm, but something shifted Thursday night: "Gasperini was dedicated to signatures and photographs, something changed Thursday evening, because he did not present himself for the interview." Camelio suggested Gasperini had grown impatient with Roma's handling of summer deals, citing the lack of speed with Bergamo's executives over targets. He argued the club should have prioritized a wide player over centre-forward Artem Castro, pointing out that Dovbyk could have remained on the bench and noting Roma also has Robinio Vaz available. Camelio stated: "I would have gone all-in for the winger instead of taking Castro. Rowe is a player tailor-made for him." He added that Gasperini's silence this summer contrasts sharply with his talkative approach last season about the market, and suggested the club had reduced his salary budget, which irritated him. Marcacci argued that winger candidates may yet emerge from Serie A, naming Rowe and Leao as possibilities. Both commentators agreed that without an arriving winger, Roma would have a significant gap that validates Gasperini's concerns.

AS Roma have completed the signing of Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid on a right-back role. The transfer package is worth €13 million in fixed fees, with a further €4 million available in performance bonuses. Molina has signed a contract until 30 June 2030. The Argentine's arrival will have a measurable impact on Roma's financial statements for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2027. The amortisation charge for the 2026-27 season is expected to be €3.25 million, based on the contract length. Molina will earn €2.8 million net per season (including bonuses), equivalent to €5.18 million gross. Combined with the amortisation cost, the total expense for Molina on Roma's 2026-27 accounts is projected at €8.43 million. The move follows Roma's earlier summer business involving Atlético Madrid and Bologna, which saw Artem Dovbyk arrive at the club. Molina's signing represents a continued investment in the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Roma faced Brighton at the Amex Stadium in the final warm-up match of their British tour. Gasperini named Donyell Malen in the starting eleven, while leaving new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis on the bench to manage their workload ahead of the 2026–27 season opener. The Roma boss fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and a four-strong midfield of Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, and Wesley. Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala occupied the advanced midfield roles, with Malen leading the attack. The fixture served as a final examination of the squad's preparation during the pre-season tour, with Gasperini using the match to assess combinations and match sharpness before competitive action resumes.

Roma played their final pre-season fixture in England at Brighton, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini fielding a squad featuring Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in support roles behind Donyell Malen in attack. The Giallorossi lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation at the American Express Stadium, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Bryan Cristante wearing the captain's armband. The match offered Gasperini a chance to test his players against Brighton, who finished eighth in the Premier League last season, as Roma prepare to return to their training base at Trigoria. The fixture represented the most demanding friendly of Roma's pre-season schedule to date. Gasperini used the encounter to evaluate his squad ahead of any final transfer business before the new season begins. Devyne Rensch and Neil El Aynaoui operated as full-backs, while Manu Koné occupied a midfield spot alongside Cristante. The absence of several first-team regulars from the starting lineup reflected the manager's rotation strategy during the summer preparation period.

Roma faced Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium at 16:00 CET on 8 August, with head coach Gasperini selecting Donyell Malen to lead the attack after the winger missed the previous match against Newport County due to illness. Malen was supported by Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in a 3-4-2-1 formation, while Devyne Rensch and Wesley operated as wing-backs. Bryan Cristante and Neil El Aynaoui anchored midfield, with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso forming the defensive three in front of goalkeeper Mile Svilar. The fixture served as Roma's final warm-up match on their UK tour, following defeats to Cardiff and a victory over Newport County. Gasperini had no fresh squad additions available for the match. Niccolò Pisilli and Bah were unavailable due to injury. Brighton fielded a 4-3-3 formation under manager Hurzeler, while the match was officiated by Bobby Madley.