Gasperini's strike force needs an overhaul: Dovbyk remains a puzzle, Vaz set for loan exit

Roma have welcomed defender Konstantinos Koulierakis to their pre-season training camp in Wales following a friendly defeat to Cardiff City. The Greek centre-back has arrived at the club's ritiro and featured in early photographs from his first day in the capital. The addition comes as Roma continue their summer preparation under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Koulierakis expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying: "I can't wait to work with Gasp." The defender is now integrated into the squad as the club builds towards the 2026–27 season. The Welsh camp forms part of Roma's broader pre-season schedule as Gasperini shapes his team ahead of the domestic campaign.

Koulierakis trained with Roma for the first time on 2 August after arriving at Vale Resort, declaring himself eager to contribute to the club. "I am truly very happy to be here. The welcome has been fantastic," the Greek defender said. "When my agent told me Roma was interested, I responded immediately: 'Yes, let's go'. I want to do my best to become part of this great Italian club. I had no doubt whatsoever." Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain on Saturday during Perry Ng's penalty-kick incident and attempted to train but signalled to Gasperini he was unable to continue. No alarm is warranted, though he is expected to sit out Tuesday's match against Newport to avoid reinjury. Pisilli remains sidelined with a calf problem sustained ten days earlier. El Aynaoui has a minor left knee discomfort but nothing troubling. Bah will undergo an MRI scan on 3 August to assess the extent of his right knee injury. In the transfer market, Roma continues to push for Read. The Dutch winger played the full 90 minutes in a friendly against Atalanta on 2 August but remains committed to joining Roma. His club has rejected an opening bid of €23 million plus €2 million in bonuses, demanding €30 million instead. 3 August could prove decisive in reaching agreement. Roma is also pursuing Cacciamani at Torino and exploring attacking options—Nusa is preferred but his cost complicates matters, while Endrick is also under consideration. Koné has drawn interest from Manchester United, though Arsenal has dropped out of the race. Kumbulla is heading to Rayo Vallecano.

Konstantinos Koulierakis has completed his first training session with Roma in Cardiff, declaring his excitement at the prospect of playing at the Olimpico. The Greek defender spoke to the club after arriving, saying he accepted Roma's offer immediately because of their status as a "great club". He praised head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as "one of the best coaches in Italy" and revealed he draws inspiration from Sergio Ramos and Aymeric Laporte, citing his left foot and mentality as key strengths. Koulierakis also spoke with Kostas Manolas before the transfer, who briefed him on the club and its atmosphere: "He spoke to me about Roma and it was very important for me. I can't wait to play at the Olimpico: I've watched many videos and I know the atmosphere will be incredible." Roma continue to pursue Givairo Read from Feyenoord, who views the Giallorossi as his ideal destination. The clubs are negotiating fee and payment structure, with Roma's offer of €25 million currently falling short of Feyenoord's demand of approximately €30 million. Club sources at Trigoria express confidence the deal will close during the week. Meanwhile, Marash Kumbulla is close to joining Rayo Vallecano on loan, with the Albanian defender set to leave the club after failing to fit Gasperini's plans.

Royal Antwerp have submitted an official offer for Anass Salah-Eddine on a loan deal with a purchase option, according to reports. The 24-year-old left-back is not part of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's plans at Roma and has been excluded from the club's pre-season training camp in Wales. Roma's hierarchy has made clear that Salah-Eddine is set to leave, and discussions between the two clubs are ongoing while the Moroccan player considers his next destination. Roma have already begun reshaping their squad this summer, with the departure of Artem Dovbyk already concluded. Salah-Eddine does not fit Gasperini's tactical approach and is a priority for the club to move on. The player had previously rejected an approach from Olympiakos. Beyond Antwerp's interest, PSV Eindhoven and several other Eredivisie clubs are monitoring the situation and ready to step in should negotiations with the Belgian side stall.

Artem Dovbyk has departed AS Roma to join Bologna on a new challenge after a difficult season marked by injury and surgery. The Ukrainian striker said yes immediately when Bologna manager Domenico Tedesco asked if he wanted to play for the club. "They explained the project and the ambition of this club, which wants to achieve much more this season. I am here to give my best," Dovbyk said. Dovbyk, who arrived at Roma from Girona, has now moved on as the Giallorossi pursue other targets, including Castro. The 28-year-old striker told Bologna's official channels that he was convinced by sporting director and manager Tedesco. He praised the squad's unity and individual quality. "It is a very friendly group, it seems like a family. Everyone fights for each other and there are many players of great individual quality," he said. "I know this club has helped many strikers grow in the past and I want to try to give everything for this team, score and help it." On his personal goals, Dovbyk expressed his hunger to play and regain peak condition. "I have hunger and I want to play. I want to rediscover my ideal condition and help the collective. I know the history of Ukrainian players in Italy and I know I am the first to wear Bologna's shirt. I am honoured and I want to achieve great goals here," he said.

Roma have agreed to sell midfielder Luigi Cherubini to Las Palmas on a permanent deal after the two clubs held talks. Cherubini, born in 2004, has been working under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during the early weeks of pre-season at Trigoria and is now departing the Giallorossi. The transfer represents another outgoing move for Roma following Artem Dovbyk's recent switch to Bologna. Cherubini's departure marks a continuation of the club's activity in the transfer market as they reshape the squad under new management.

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.

Konstantinos Koulierakis joined Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales on 2 August, a day after his signing was officially announced. The defender arrived at the Vale Resort to meet Gian Piero Gasperini and his teammates, including Bryan Cristante, Gianluca Mancini, Paulo Dybala, and Donyell Malen. The moment was captured on camera as Koulierakis embraced the head coach and squad members. Some Roma supporters at the resort approached the new arrival to request photographs and autographs. Gasperini now has an additional defender available as Roma continues its pre-season preparations. The timing of Koulierakis's arrival reflects the club's push to strengthen the backline during the current transfer window. His integration into the group comes as Roma prepares for the 2026-27 season.

Roma suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City in their first pre-season friendly of the summer, with Paulo Dybala opening the scoring from a Matías Soulé assist before missing a penalty. Gianluca Castro made his debut, starting up front and battling throughout before receiving a yellow card late on; defender Bah was also forced off with injury. Gasperini analysed the performance in his post-match comments: "Distratti dietro nel primo tempo, abbiamo preso gol su rimpalli. Qualcosa di buono l'abbiamo fatto, ma se sei poco attento diventa tutto più difficile." The coach reiterated that the squad requires completion, stating: "Il mercato è partito tardi, sono andati via diversi giocatori e servono innesti per rendere la squadra davvero competitiva." Gasperini confirmed his targets—a defender, a winger, and two forwards—insisting they are achievable objectives. Castro is viewed as an excellent acquisition who can rotate with Donyell Malen and elevate the squad's level. On the transfer front, Greek defender Konstantinos Koulierakis landed at Ciampino airport and completed his move from Wolfsburg on a permanent basis for approximately €16.5 million plus bonuses and a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Born in 2004, Koulierakis becomes Roma's second summer signing after Castro. The club is also pursuing Franco Mastantuono, a 2007-born Madrid youth prospect, though Real's preference for a loan or loan with option has not convinced Roma; Fiorentina are advancing in those talks. Negotiations for Feyenoord winger Read continue, with Roma offering €23 million plus €2 million in add-ons.

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the media after Roma's friendly against Cardiff City, acknowledging defensive frailties in the opening period but praising the team's attacking moments. The head coach stressed that the transfer window has only just begun following the World Cup and indicated he expects additions before the season starts. Gasperini hailed Castro as an excellent acquisition, describing him as a natural centre-forward who can operate alongside Malen. "Castro is a 2004 who wanted to come to Roma at all costs—it will be a fine signing," he said. He outlined the squad's needs: "Compared to last season's squad we need a defender, a winger and two forwards. Then everything can change: if someone leaves, they must be replaced." Gasperini stressed that competing in cup competitions requires depth: "When you play Champions League at a certain level, you need a complete, competitive squad with enough players to rotate without losing quality." With three midfielders currently sidelined and only five defenders available, Gasperini flagged the urgency of recruitment. He confirmed that Koulierakis will arrive to bolster the defence, noting that teams competing in European football must have at least two players per position. The coach added the squad is now in its third week of pre-season training and that he hopes completeness arrives "as quickly as possible."