Gasperini's Plan for Young Talents: Ziółkowski, Ghilardi and Vaz Set for Development

Donyell Malen has settled quickly at Roma and dreams of celebrating a Serie A title at the Circo Massimo, recalling footage of the club's 2001 Scudetto celebrations there. The Dutch forward credits head coach Gasperini with giving him clear direction and confidence. "The trust he has placed in me, the clarity with which he expresses himself," Malen said. "It's hard not to understand what he asks. He knows my qualities and puts me in the best conditions to finish the team's work." Malen reflected on his journey through the Netherlands, Germany, England, and now Italy, noting that Roma's path to Champions League qualification after seven years was more significant than individual goal tallies. He acknowledged Gasperini's recent suggestion that he and Santiago Castro may rarely start together, accepting the coach's tactical decisions. On Paulo Dybala, he said simply: "A magician." Malen spoke warmly of his wife Delisha, whom he has known since adolescence, and their recent addition—daughter Shiloh, now six months old, joining three older sons. His mother, who worked night shifts as a taxi driver to support the family during the day, earned particular gratitude. Growing up in a rural area with farms and animals, Malen earned the childhood nickname "the farmer with clogs" after copying his grandfather's footwear.

Roma are closing in on a deal for Feyenoord winger Read but have not yet reached agreement with the Dutch club. Head coach Gasperini is awaiting his third summer signing and has requested four additional reinforcements beyond that. Sporting director D'Amico is working to meet those demands, with Read identified as a concrete target. The player has already committed to the Roma project, but Feyenoord remain a significant obstacle. The club are standing firm on a €30 million valuation, while Roma have tabled an offer of €28 million. Negotiations continue over performance bonuses and a resale percentage, leaving a gap to be bridged between the two clubs. Read's willingness to join is not in question; the impasse is purely between Roma and Feyenoord over financial terms. Gasperini must wait for further progress as talks proceed on the outstanding issues.

Roma have reignited their interest in Torino winger Cacciamani, a 2007-born player tracked closely at Trigoria. The club's first approach, an offer of €7 million, was rejected by Torino owner Cairo, who values the player at approximately €15 million and initially resisted any sale. However, the pursuit has heated up in recent days, with sporting director D'Amico preparing to make a fresh bid. The coming hours could prove decisive. Gasperini remains short of squad depth on both flanks — he is still seeking a left-sided winger, a right-back starter and a left-back option. So far this summer, D'Amico has completed only two signings: Castro and Koulierakis, which the club believes is insufficient to complete the roster. Cacciamani represents one of several targets being tracked, though Read is also among Roma's priorities. The continued lack of concrete progress has prompted the club to accelerate their efforts. With Gasperini awaiting reinforcements, D'Amico is stepping up activity in the transfer market. The prospect of further bids for Cacciamani reflects Roma's determination to strengthen their attacking and defensive options before the window closes.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has joined Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales following his medical examination and official confirmation. The Greek defender, Roma's second summer signing, arrived at the squad's UK base to begin work under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. His arrival was documented on the club's social media channels. Outside the resort hosting the Giallorossi, Koulierakis was stopped by supporters for photographs. Among them was Juha, the well-known Finnish Roma supporter who follows the club worldwide, with one of the new arrival's first pictures taken alongside the Roma Club Finland scarf. Koulierakis will complete Roma's defensive unit, which already comprises Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso, Ziolkowski and Ghilardi.

Koulierakis joined Roma's squad in Wales on 2 August, arriving at Vale Resort in Hensol after completing his medical and signing yesterday. The Greek centre-back posed for photographs with Roma supporters at the training ground before linking up with Gasperini and the squad for his first team session. He arrived on a permanent deal worth €16 million plus €1.5 million in bonuses, with Wolfsburg retaining a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Koulierakis joins an established defensive unit comprising Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Ziółkowski and Ghilardi, though the last-named could depart the capital. This morning Dybala and the wider group completed a gym session, with a video review and field training scheduled for the afternoon. Gasperini welcomes Koulierakis as Roma's second new acquisition of the summer, following Castro, who made his debut in yesterday's 0–0 draw with Cardiff. The defender will bolster Roma's backline as pre-season preparations continue in Wales.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has completed his move to AS Roma from Wolfsburg on a deal worth €16 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons, signing a contract until 2031. The Greek centre-back will link up with Gian Piero Gasperini's squad and is expected to be in Wales immediately as the club continues pre-season preparations. Koulierakis joins an already established defensive unit at the Stadio Olimpico comprising Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka, Jan Ziółkowski and Daniele Ghilardi. His arrival strengthens Gasperini's options at the heart of defence as Roma look to build on their existing squad depth. Wolfsburg issued a farewell message on social media, stating: "Treat him well. He will give you everything. Konstantinos Koulierakis moves to Roma. Thank you for your commitment in white and green and the best of luck for your new challenge, Koulie." Gasperini continues to pursue additional reinforcements, particularly in attack, as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season.

Roma continued their pre-season preparation in Cardiff on 2 August with a training session that was disrupted by fresh injury concerns. Koulierakis arrived at the camp after completing his medical and paperwork in Rome, and took part in the open session alongside new CEO John Galantic and about fifteen travelling supporters. However, Wesley was forced to abandon the session after just minutes when an ankle sprain sustained in the previous day's friendly against Cardiff proved too painful to continue; he left the field visibly limping with significant strapping on his right leg. Jan Ziółkowski briefly caused alarm with a knock to his ankle during the session but recovered to continue without issue. Gasperini's squad is preparing for a Tuesday match against Newport while managing workload rotation through the summer window. Niccolò Pisilli remains unavailable despite being in the group, while defender Bah is awaiting an MRI scan scheduled for 3 August after sustaining a knee sprain in training on 1 August. Neil El Aynaoui, recently returned to training following World Cup duty, completed an extended fitness session around the resort and briefly paused for a minor left-knee discomfort before resuming his run.

Koulierakis joined Roma's squad in Wales on 2 August, arriving at Vale Resort in Hensol after completing his medical and signing yesterday. The Greek centre-back posed for photographs with Roma supporters at the training ground before linking up with Gasperini and the squad for his first team session. He arrived on a permanent deal worth €16 million plus €1.5 million in bonuses, with Wolfsburg retaining a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Koulierakis joins an established defensive unit comprising Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Ziółkowski and Ghilardi, though the last-named could depart the capital. This morning Dybala and the wider group completed a gym session, with a video review and field training scheduled for the afternoon. Gasperini welcomes Koulierakis as Roma's second new acquisition of the summer, following Castro, who made his debut in yesterday's 0–0 draw with Cardiff. The defender will bolster Roma's backline as pre-season preparations continue in Wales.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has completed his move to AS Roma from Wolfsburg on a deal worth €16 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons, signing a contract until 2031. The Greek centre-back will link up with Gian Piero Gasperini's squad and is expected to be in Wales immediately as the club continues pre-season preparations. Koulierakis joins an already established defensive unit at the Stadio Olimpico comprising Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka, Jan Ziółkowski and Daniele Ghilardi. His arrival strengthens Gasperini's options at the heart of defence as Roma look to build on their existing squad depth. Wolfsburg issued a farewell message on social media, stating: "Treat him well. He will give you everything. Konstantinos Koulierakis moves to Roma. Thank you for your commitment in white and green and the best of luck for your new challenge, Koulie." Gasperini continues to pursue additional reinforcements, particularly in attack, as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season.

Roma travel to Wales on Saturday 1 August for a pre-season friendly against Cardiff, kicking off at 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT). Donyell Malen starts in attack, with Castro on the bench in his first appearance of pre-season. Neil El Aynaoui returns to action after missing the opening weeks of summer training due to World Cup involvement. Robinio Vaz is available after recovering from a knee injury. Niccolò Pisilli remains unavailable and has not yet reached full fitness. The match will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN, requiring a subscription to watch on smart TV, gaming consoles (Xbox or PlayStation), or streaming devices including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, and TIM VISION Box. The fixture will also air on free-to-air channel Canale Nove, though only as a delayed broadcast at 21:30. Roma fans can follow live updates via Forzaroma.info's live blog and the club's social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Roma started their pre-season campaign in Wales on 1 August, with a morning training session at Hensol followed by a friendly against Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium, kicking off at 15:00 (16:00 Italian time). All eyes were on Castro, who was set for his debut, while Neil El Aynaoui returned from holiday and is fully available for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The majority of the squad was available, with Robinio Vaz having recovered from injury and Niccolò Pisilli progressing in his rehabilitation and expected to rejoin the group in the coming days. The club's pre-season schedule continued with another training session scheduled for 2 August at the sports complex, open to supporters and media. A second friendly fixture against Newport follows on 3 August at 19:00.

Roma arrived in Wales for their pre-season training camp on Tuesday, though roughly an hour behind schedule after switching flights due to an operational issue. The squad will be based at Vale Resort in Hensol and face Cardiff City in their opening friendly at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday at 16:00 local time (15:00 UK time). No morning training session is scheduled before the match. Santiago Castro, who has completed initial work at Trigoria, is primed to feature after his recent arrival, with Donyell Malen set to start as the sole new signing present. Matteo Koulierakis has not yet arrived for his medical examination; he is expected in the capital on Wednesday before joining the squad in Wales. Niccolò Pisilli has been recalled to the group as he continues recovery from a left soleus muscle injury but will not play. Robinio Vaz has fully recovered from injury and is available, while Neil El Aynaoui has returned after extended leave following World Cup duties. Approximately 10,000 tickets have been sold for the fixture. Shuttle bus services will operate every 15 minutes on route 95 between Cardiff city centre and the stadium from Wood Street (stop JB), beginning two hours before kickoff and running until the crowd has dispersed. Gates open at 13:30—90 minutes before the 15:00 local start. Around 100 Roma supporters are expected to attend.