Inside Roma's Welsh base: Gasperini's headquarters revealed

AS Roma have moved to Wales for the second phase of their pre-season preparation under Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad will remain at the Vale Resort in Hensol, approximately twenty kilometres from Cardiff, until 8 August for an intensive training block before returning to Italy and their opening competitive fixtures. Roma will conduct training sessions at the WRU National Centre of Excellence, the Welsh national rugby federation's high-performance facility. The venue offers a natural setting ideal for physical conditioning and tactical work with maximum privacy ahead of the new season. The location represents a strategic choice to escape the intense summer heat of Rome during this critical preparation period. During their time in Wales, the squad will face a series of international friendly matches against Cardiff City, Newport County, and Brighton as part of their match fitness programme.

Roma are monitoring two Real Madrid prospects as potential signings, with Brazilian winger Endrick emerging as the primary target. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is keen on acquiring Endrick, who spent last season on loan at Lyon and has impressed at the Spanish club. Argentine talent Mastantuono, 18, is also under consideration after featuring early in the campaign under Xabi Alonso before a dip in form typical of his age. Real Madrid appear more willing to sanction Mastantuono's departure on a straight loan deal — no buyout clause or counter-option — for a single season of development before his return to the Bernabéu. Endrick's future hinges on manager José Mourinho's decision. Should the Portuguese coach permit his exit, a structure similar to the Nico Paz-Como arrangement could materialise, allowing Real to nurture his talent while Roma bring a high-level player to Gasperini. Real's recent acquisition of another player has reopened the possibility of outgoings following the departure of García. Roma's ability to pursue either signing depends heavily on outgoings of their own. Matías Soulé's potential departure is key — if the Argentine leaves, Roma could attempt the move. Without such a sale, the window for a new chapter appears unlikely to open.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, alongside sporting director D'Amico and Ryan Friedkin in a remote link, will hold a market meeting on 31 July before Roma's departure for Wales to define the club's transfer strategy for the coming season. The summit follows the official completion of Santiago Castro's arrival and the imminent signing of Koulierakis, as Roma continues its recruitment drive to strengthen the squad available to Gasperini. The new cycle at the Stadio Olimpico is taking shape after a period of transition. A left winger remains the priority in the transfer window, with Nusa of Leipzig identified as the primary target. Only after securing that position will Roma move forward with other planned operations to complete the squad rebuild.

Antonio Nusa is Roma's primary target for the attack, according to head coach Gasperini's requirements. The Norwegian forward fits the club's transfer strategy: young, promising, valuable, and immediately ready to contribute without a settling-in period. Roma have restarted contact with RB Leipzig, who are holding firm at a €60 million asking price, but the Giallorossi are prepared to make a counter-offer, stopping short of the Germans' full demand while attempting to close the gap. Nusa's willingness to leave Leipzig and join Roma strengthens the club's position, though negotiations remain uncertain. Director D'Amico is pushing hard to bring the 20-year-old to the Stadio Olimpico. However, Roma will not pursue the deal indefinitely; if Leipzig fails to budge, the club will pivot to alternative targets. Schade remains the primary backup option, though Argentine forward Mastantuono could emerge as a surprise addition to the offensive ranks. The recruitment drive reflects Roma's philosophy of signing ready-made talent rather than prospects requiring extended development time. Meanwhile, the squad departed for Wales today as the pre-season retreat intensifies. D'Amico knows exactly what the team is missing and is focused on executing the right move in the transfer window.

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.

Antonio Nusa is Roma's primary target for the attack, according to head coach Gasperini's requirements. The Norwegian forward fits the club's transfer strategy: young, promising, valuable, and immediately ready to contribute without a settling-in period. Roma have restarted contact with RB Leipzig, who are holding firm at a €60 million asking price, but the Giallorossi are prepared to make a counter-offer, stopping short of the Germans' full demand while attempting to close the gap. Nusa's willingness to leave Leipzig and join Roma strengthens the club's position, though negotiations remain uncertain. Director D'Amico is pushing hard to bring the 20-year-old to the Stadio Olimpico. However, Roma will not pursue the deal indefinitely; if Leipzig fails to budge, the club will pivot to alternative targets. Schade remains the primary backup option, though Argentine forward Mastantuono could emerge as a surprise addition to the offensive ranks. The recruitment drive reflects Roma's philosophy of signing ready-made talent rather than prospects requiring extended development time. Meanwhile, the squad departed for Wales today as the pre-season retreat intensifies. D'Amico knows exactly what the team is missing and is focused on executing the right move in the transfer window.

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.