Konstantinos Koulierakis set to join Roma as second summer signing

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a crucial transfer meeting with Roma sporting director D'Amico and owner Ryan Friedkin today before the team's departure for Wales. The summit will focus on finalising the club's market strategy for the remainder of the season as Gasperini, the club's new head coach, continues to push for reinforcements to mount a Champions League challenge. Left-wing remains Roma's priority, with RB Leipzig's Nusa staying at the top of the target list. Gasperini will have the opportunity to reiterate this directly to the board. The departures of Angeliño and Çelik have left gaps in the full-back department that require urgent attention. Read is being considered as a hot prospect to address those needs, with Roma having already tabled an offer to Feyenoord. The Dutch club's approval is now required for any deal to progress. Gasperini has already secured initial signings including Castro and Koulierakis, but the technical staff believes further investment is essential for a competitive campaign. All parties are emphasising the need to row in the same direction as Roma builds its new project under the new coaching regime.

Roma radio commentators have outlined the club's remaining transfer priorities, with consensus that an important player departure is necessary before the window closes. Pes stated: "It seems difficult for Roma to close the market without an important sale. The focus now is on arrivals, but offers need to come in to move players out: so far nothing has arrived for either Koné or Soulé." Roma have already spent 35 million euros on Castro and 15 million on new Greek defender Koulierakis, who will join the squad after administrative procedures are completed. Torri reported that Milan could be interested in Soulé, with a potential swap involving Saelemaekers; Roma have reportedly sought a profile matching Saelemaekers' type. Earlier, Roma had reached an offer of 50 million euros for Summerville, though that figure would push total outlay toward 100 million when combined with recent signings. Pruzzo suggested there is only a 10 per cent chance of Nusa joining Roma, as negotiations have dragged on and the player has market options elsewhere. Castro is expected to feature immediately, with Gasperini likely to deploy two forwards against four-back defences.

Roma have failed to land Celtic midfielder Engels after the Belgian international opted to join West Ham instead. The club's sporting director D'Amico had identified Engels, who serves as captain and penalty-taker for the Glasgow side, as a potential target to strengthen the midfield. However, the 25-year-old has chosen a move to England, drawn by the appeal of the Premier League despite West Ham's recent Championship relegation. Midfield reinforcement is not currently Roma's primary focus, with the club concentrating resources on other areas of the squad. Engels represented one of several profiles being monitored to add depth to the centre of the park, but the pursuit has now ended with his decision to move to the London club. West Ham will compete in the Championship next season following their top-flight relegation.

Former Roma striker Amantino Mancini has backed the Giallorossi to mount a Serie A title challenge this season, highlighting manager Gian Piero Gasperini as the club's most important signing in recent years. Speaking on Sky Sport, Mancini praised Gasperini's track record at Atalanta and his immediate impact at Roma, where he has restored the club to the Champions League after 7 years. "It's the most important acquisition Roma has made in recent years," Mancini said. "Hopefully we can repeat and do even better than last season and perhaps win the Scudetto in the year of Roma's centenary, which would be a great gift for the fans." Mancini believes Roma can be genuine title contenders, though he acknowledged work remains. "According to me, they can be a candidate. Obviously you need to sort out a few more things, make one, two or three more signings. But I think it's a team that can win the Scudetto," he stated. Gasperini's tactical approach—built on physical intensity and high pressing—has transformed Roma's prospects, and Mancini suggested the manager's methods are already bearing fruit both domestically and in Europe. The comments underline growing confidence that Roma can compete at the highest level under their new manager.

Juventus have entered talks to sign Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi, reportedly willing to offer Federico Gatti as a makeweight in negotiations. The move comes as Roma prepare to bring in Konstantinos Koulierakis to strengthen their defence, a signing that could push either Ziółkowski or Ghilardi away from the Stadio Olimpico. Ghilardi's maiden season in giallorossi colours was inconsistent, beginning with a subdued spell before improving in the second half of the campaign. However, he remained a secondary option in Gian Piero Gasperini's rotation, with the trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso forming the defensive core that proved decisive in securing Champions League qualification. The 2003-born centre-back's exit would free space in Gasperini's squad as Koulierakis arrives to bolster the backline.

Amantino Mancini, who played for Roma between 2003 and 2008, has expressed confidence in the club's title prospects under new manager Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to Sky Sport, the former winger praised the summer signings, particularly Argentine forward Castro, whom he described as "a young player who performed very well last season" and someone with "the right mentality for Italian football." Mancini highlighted Gasperini's achievement in returning Roma to the Champions League after seven years, calling the manager's appointment "the most important signing Roma have made in recent years." He believes the club can challenge for the Serie A title, though acknowledged they need to complete "one or two or three more" transfer deals to strengthen the squad further. The former Roma player noted that winning the scudetto would be a special gift for supporters as the club prepares to celebrate its centenary. On Castro specifically, Mancini urged the Argentine to quickly understand Roma's unique status as a place where "football is discussed twenty-four hours a day," adding: "I think he can make an enormous contribution to Roma. He is truly an important player." When asked if Roma could realistically become title contenders, Mancini replied: "Yes, I think so. It still needs to settle itself, make one or two or three signings, but I think it can win the scudetto."