Inter and Roma Target Algerian World Cup Standout Rafik Belghali

Roma's transfer window remains stalled a month into the season, with no new signings completed despite ongoing talks. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has prioritised the signing of a left winger, a position the club has been actively pursuing following the collapse of moves for other targets. Napoli offered Roma the services of Noa Lang, who spent the previous season on loan at Galatasaray and is surplus to requirements under Napoli's new manager Allegri. However, Roma's leadership immediately rejected the proposal, with Gasperini particularly unconvinced by the Dutch winger's profile. The top target remains Antonio Nusa, though RB Leipzig is demanding at least €60 million for the player.

Roma have turned down the opportunity to sign Noa Lang from Napoli as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's hunt for a new attacking winger continues. Transfers for Mason Greenwood and Yankuba Summerville have fallen through, leaving the club focused on other targets. The Dutch winger does not appeal to Gasperini and will not be considered for selection. The primary focus remains on securing a long-term solution on the flank for the coming season. Lenny Nusa of RB Leipzig continues to be viewed as an ideal fit, though negotiations are proving difficult due to Leipzig's high demands—the German club is seeking approximately 60 million euros. The challenging valuation has stalled progress on that front. Lang, who spent the latter part of the previous season on loan at Galatasaray, does not feature in Napoli's plans going forward under manager Allegri, making him available for transfer. However, Roma's decision to decline the offer signals Gasperini's specific tactical and stylistic preferences for the role.

Leading voices on Rome's radio stations have cast doubt on winger Nusa as a genuine target for Roma, with several pundits suggesting the club is using the link as cover for its actual recruitment plans. Francesco Balzani declared: "I think Nusa is all smoke and mirrors, I believe there are few chances of seeing him at Roma." The debate reflects wider concern that Roma are behind schedule in their summer transfer strategy, with concerns also raised about the club's economic competitiveness against European rivals and the risk that players are using Roma as leverage to secure better deals elsewhere. Lorenzo Pes was most direct on the Nusa question: "Nusa doesn't convince me from a physical standpoint. I think Nusa is a smokescreen to try to stay more hidden on the real targets. For me the real names are others." The panel highlighted a broader recruitment puzzle under new head coach Gasperini, with confusion over whether the club intends to pursue marquee forwards such as Castro or instead focus on second-tier talent with upside. Mario Mattioli stressed that Italian football cannot compete economically with Europe and that chasing top-tier players is futile. Roberto Pruzzo was more critical of Roma's approach, suggesting players may be exploiting the club: "When you have an agreement with the player you feel protected, but it's not like that, and the recent situations are proving it."

Vice-president Ryan Friedkin arrived at Roma's Trigoria training ground on 14 July to inject momentum into the summer transfer window, having successfully brokered deals during his January visit — most notably the arrival of Donyell Malen, who played a central role in Roma's push to the Champions League. This summer's mission has proved less fruitful. Two primary targets, Greenwood and Summerville, have already fallen through, with the American ownership expressing doubts about spending €50 million on the latter. Roma have also suffered the blow of Çelik signing with Juventus despite an oral agreement being in place. Gasperini had been awaiting Friedkin's arrival on 13 July, the first day of pre-season. With the window stalling, Friedkin has already returned to the United States within the past 48 hours, and no return date has yet been set. He may attend Cannes–Roma, a pre-season friendly between the two Friedkin-owned clubs, on Sunday, though that remains uncertain. The new transfer target is now Nusa, and Ryan will monitor negotiations from afar.

Zeki Çelik's unexpected departure has forced Roma to accelerate their search for reinforcements on the flanks, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requiring at least two new fullbacks to complete the defensive unit ahead of the new season. Wesley remains the main established option alongside Devyne Rensch, but concerns linger over Angeliño following a difficult campaign and evident lack of match fitness, while a departure is already confirmed for Salah-Eddine. Roma is hunting for defensive cover that can provide the positional flexibility lost with Çelik's exit, with one target capable of operating as a centre-back as well. Diego Moreira of Strasbourg remains the club's primary target, though negotiations have stalled over his €50 million valuation, which Roma consider excessive. Nicolò Savona of Nottingham Forest is also being monitored and fits the profile, but concerns about his physical readiness following a recent knee injury are tempering enthusiasm. Alternative options at Molina and Dodo are not currently gaining traction. The push for strengthening the fullback positions comes as Roma also pursue Louis Summerville to bolster the attacking department.

Roma have identified Rafik Belghali as a candidate to fill the defensive gap left by Zeki Çelik's move to Juventus. The Algerian-born Belgian defender, who plays for relegated Hellas Verona, was previously admired by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and director D'Amico during his time at the Veneto club. Verona have valued Belghali at €15 million, a fee Roma consider manageable, and relations between the two clubs remain strong following the earlier transfer of Daniele Ghilardi to the Giallorossi. Belghali's versatility across both flanks mirrors Çelik's position flexibility, making him an attractive option for Gasperini's tactical setup. Verona's relegation from Serie A has made the defender available on the market, with Roma leading the pursuit. The club's wage structure can comfortably accommodate his salary demands. However, Roma are also monitoring Nottingham Forest's Alessandro Savona as an alternative option, with the defensive recruitment drive partly motivated by concerns over the fitness and reliability of Angeliño following his extended absence.

Gian Piero Gasperini is closely monitoring Mandjou Camara, a 2009-born Guinean forward who made an impression in Roma's friendly against Trastevere. The match saw Roma field a largely youth-team lineup, with only Gollini, Ziółkowski, Ghilardi, Angeliño and Dovbyk from the senior squad on the pitch. While Arena scored, Camara stole the spotlight with several impressive moments despite not finding the net. During the second half, Gasperini's assistant Gritti positioned himself on the right flank to guide Camara's movements, calling out instructions such as "Drop back", "Shoot", and "Don't stay too deep". Camara is expected to join Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales, giving Gasperini further opportunity to assess his development. Camara arrived at Roma as the final signing from the youth academy oversight of Alberto De Rossi, who departed the club on 30 June after more than 32 years. Roma acquired him on a free transfer after he left SPAL. He began the season in the Under 17 category before being promoted to the Under 18 squad under Mattia Scala, who now coaches the Primavera. In thirty matches, Camara has registered eleven goals and nine assists. His one-on-one ability and dribbling have impressed Gasperini, who is working to facilitate his next step forward, though some technical refinement remains needed. Vinicius Junior is his inspiration.

Roma cruised to a 6-0 victory over Trastevere in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Trigoria, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala among the scorers. The match was played over two 35-minute halves, with first-half goals coming from Malen (3rd minute, set up by Devyne Rensch), Dybala (12th, from Bryan Cristante), Bryan Cristante (assist from Malen), and Rensch (30th, teeing up Cherubini). In the second half, with Gasperini fielding a largely youth-based XI, Angeliño and Arena added the final two goals in the closing minutes. The friendly marked Malen and Evan N'Dicka's return to full training following their World Cup campaigns with the Netherlands, both key players in Roma's recent Champions League qualification push. Matías Soulé was rested for load management, while Niccolò Pisilli missed out with a grade-one soleus muscle injury and will be assessed for recovery. Mario Hermoso impressed as the standout defender in the first half, while Malen showed signs of shaking off rustiness despite limited pre-season minutes alongside Dybala. Sports director Tony D'Amico attended from the dugout alongside Massimo Margiotta, the new youth academy director. The second half saw extensive minutes for academy players, continuing Roma's recent pattern from a 6-0 win over the senior Primavera side on the previous Sunday.

Roma secured a second consecutive 6-0 victory in pre-season, defeating Trastevere under Gasperini. Malen opened the scoring after recently returning to the manager's squad, with Dybala, Cristante, and Cherubini adding further goals in the first half to put Roma firmly in control. After the interval, with fresh personnel introduced, chances remained plentiful though the breakthrough came late, with Angeliño and Arena completing the rout. The emphatic scoreline followed Roma's earlier 6-0 demolition of the Primavera side, continuing the positive momentum of the club's pre-campaign preparations. Gasperini's side is building rhythm ahead of more demanding friendly fixtures in the coming weeks.