Koulierakis arrives in Rome for medical checks before Wales camp

Real Madrid teenager Franco Mastantuono is poised to join Serie A on a season-long loan after struggling for regular first-team football in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Argentine, who joined Los Merengues from River Plate last summer for a reported fee of €45 million, made just 11 La Liga starts and accumulated 35 appearances across all competitions, netting three goals and providing an assist. Jose Mourinho is open to allowing the 18-year-old to leave Spain on loan to gain valuable experience. Three Serie A clubs have registered interest in Mastantuono: Milan, Roma, and Fiorentina. Milan, who competed to sign the youngster before his move to Madrid, could use him as a replacement following Rafael Leao's expected departure from San Siro. Roma and Fiorentina are also in the race for his signature. The Giallorossi's pursuit of Mastantuono is linked to the possibility that Matias Soulé could leave the Stadio Olimpico this summer. Fiorentina may offer the teenager an ideal environment for development, with regular first-team football likely to be more readily available.

Roma are leading the pursuit of Inter midfielder Davide Frattesi this summer after the 26-year-old was cast out by manager Cristian Chivu, according to reports. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have overtaken Juventus in the competition for the former Sassuolo player, who is keen to revive his career away from Milan. Frattesi managed only three Serie A starts for Inter in 2025–26 and has two years remaining on his contract with the Nerazzurri, who are determined to sell him. He came close to joining Nottingham Forest in January. Gasperini is actively hunting a replacement midfielder after Manu Koné emerged as a target for Manchester United. Though Roma are reluctant to lose their midfield linchpin, Koné's desire to continue his career at Old Trafford may force the Giallorossi into the market. Frattesi is Gasperini's identified solution to that potential void. Inter had previously resisted Atlético Madrid's approach for Frattesi last summer, but only postponed his departure rather than resolved his future. Juventus, however, remain in contention. Giovanni Carnevali could still make a late push to bring Frattesi to the Turin club, meaning the race for his signature is far from settled.

Castro is the focus of special attention ahead of his Roma debut, with a meeting arranged between the player and Gasperini's match analyst to prepare him for his first appearance in a giallorossi shirt. The discussion is part of Roma's careful integration of the new arrival into head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical system. By bringing Castro into dialogue with the club's analytical team before his competitive debut, the club is ensuring the player understands the defensive and offensive demands of Gasperini's pressing-based approach. Castro's introduction to the squad represents a key moment in Roma's ongoing transfer business this summer. The meeting underscores Gasperini's methodical approach to squad development and the importance placed on tactical preparation at the club.

Roma faced Cardiff City in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side testing themselves further after earlier sessions at Trigoria and against Cannes. The match took place at Cardiff City Stadium as part of the club's Welsh training camp. The Giallorossi lined up in a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Wesley and Devyne Rensch operating as full-backs. Bryan Cristante anchored midfield alongside Wesley, with Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala deployed in attacking support of the centre-forward. The standout feature of Roma's team sheet was the first appearance of Castro, who took the centre-forward berth in the starting XI. Gasperini continues to build match fitness across the squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Roma suffered a 4–2 defeat to Cardiff in a pre-season friendly on 1 August. Ashford struck twice for the hosts, opening the scoring in the 3rd minute and adding a second in the 39th, with Salech making it 3–0 on the half-hour. Dybala pulled one back in the 58th minute, but Tanner extended Cardiff's lead to 4–1 in the 62nd before Roma's consolation goal came too late to alter the outcome. Head coach Gasperini fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation, with Svilar in goal, a backline of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso, and an attacking setup pairing Dybala with Soulé in support of Castro up front. Castro was booked in the 65th minute alongside Soulé. Rensch, Wesley, and Cristante anchored the midfield and flank defence. Gasperini made several substitutions in the second half: Ghilardi replaced Mancini after 46 minutes, Malen came on for Castro at the 66th-minute mark, and in the 70th minute both Ziolkowski took over from Hermoso and Lulli entered for Wesley. Gollini and De Marzi were among those held in reserve. The friendly provided valuable minutes for the squad as Roma prepare for the new campaign.

AS Roma completed the signing of defender Konstantinos Koulierakis on 1 August 2026, with the Greek international arriving at Ciampino airport to begin his medical and contract formalities. Koulierakis joins on a permanent deal from Wolfsburg for a fixed fee of €16.5 million, with €1.5 million in add-ons and a 20 per cent sell-on clause included in the agreement. He becomes Roma's second summer signing after Castro. The 23-year-old represents a significant defensive reinforcement for Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season. Koulierakis, who has featured regularly in the Bundesliga, brings experience at a high level and adds depth to Roma's backline alongside existing defenders including Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka, and Gianluca Mancini. The transfer was confirmed across social media on 1 August, with images and video of Koulierakis and his agent Paschalis Tountouris captured during their journey to the Italian capital. The defender will now complete standard club procedures before being integrated into pre-season training.

Roma faced Cardiff City in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side testing themselves further after earlier sessions at Trigoria and against Cannes. The match took place at Cardiff City Stadium as part of the club's Welsh training camp. The Giallorossi lined up in a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Wesley and Devyne Rensch operating as full-backs. Bryan Cristante anchored midfield alongside Wesley, with Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala deployed in attacking support of the centre-forward. The standout feature of Roma's team sheet was the first appearance of Castro, who took the centre-forward berth in the starting XI. Gasperini continues to build match fitness across the squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Roma suffered a 4–2 defeat to Cardiff in a pre-season friendly on 1 August. Ashford struck twice for the hosts, opening the scoring in the 3rd minute and adding a second in the 39th, with Salech making it 3–0 on the half-hour. Dybala pulled one back in the 58th minute, but Tanner extended Cardiff's lead to 4–1 in the 62nd before Roma's consolation goal came too late to alter the outcome. Head coach Gasperini fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation, with Svilar in goal, a backline of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso, and an attacking setup pairing Dybala with Soulé in support of Castro up front. Castro was booked in the 65th minute alongside Soulé. Rensch, Wesley, and Cristante anchored the midfield and flank defence. Gasperini made several substitutions in the second half: Ghilardi replaced Mancini after 46 minutes, Malen came on for Castro at the 66th-minute mark, and in the 70th minute both Ziolkowski took over from Hermoso and Lulli entered for Wesley. Gollini and De Marzi were among those held in reserve. The friendly provided valuable minutes for the squad as Roma prepare for the new campaign.

AS Roma completed the signing of defender Konstantinos Koulierakis on 1 August 2026, with the Greek international arriving at Ciampino airport to begin his medical and contract formalities. Koulierakis joins on a permanent deal from Wolfsburg for a fixed fee of €16.5 million, with €1.5 million in add-ons and a 20 per cent sell-on clause included in the agreement. He becomes Roma's second summer signing after Castro. The 23-year-old represents a significant defensive reinforcement for Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season. Koulierakis, who has featured regularly in the Bundesliga, brings experience at a high level and adds depth to Roma's backline alongside existing defenders including Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka, and Gianluca Mancini. The transfer was confirmed across social media on 1 August, with images and video of Koulierakis and his agent Paschalis Tountouris captured during their journey to the Italian capital. The defender will now complete standard club procedures before being integrated into pre-season training.

Roma faced Cardiff City in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side testing themselves further after earlier sessions at Trigoria and against Cannes. The match took place at Cardiff City Stadium as part of the club's Welsh training camp. The Giallorossi lined up in a 3–4–2–1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Wesley and Devyne Rensch operating as full-backs. Bryan Cristante anchored midfield alongside Wesley, with Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala deployed in attacking support of the centre-forward. The standout feature of Roma's team sheet was the first appearance of Castro, who took the centre-forward berth in the starting XI. Gasperini continues to build match fitness across the squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Roma suffered a 4–2 defeat to Cardiff in a pre-season friendly on 1 August. Ashford struck twice for the hosts, opening the scoring in the 3rd minute and adding a second in the 39th, with Salech making it 3–0 on the half-hour. Dybala pulled one back in the 58th minute, but Tanner extended Cardiff's lead to 4–1 in the 62nd before Roma's consolation goal came too late to alter the outcome. Head coach Gasperini fielded a 3–4–2–1 formation, with Svilar in goal, a backline of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso, and an attacking setup pairing Dybala with Soulé in support of Castro up front. Castro was booked in the 65th minute alongside Soulé. Rensch, Wesley, and Cristante anchored the midfield and flank defence. Gasperini made several substitutions in the second half: Ghilardi replaced Mancini after 46 minutes, Malen came on for Castro at the 66th-minute mark, and in the 70th minute both Ziolkowski took over from Hermoso and Lulli entered for Wesley. Gollini and De Marzi were among those held in reserve. The friendly provided valuable minutes for the squad as Roma prepare for the new campaign.

AS Roma completed the signing of defender Konstantinos Koulierakis on 1 August 2026, with the Greek international arriving at Ciampino airport to begin his medical and contract formalities. Koulierakis joins on a permanent deal from Wolfsburg for a fixed fee of €16.5 million, with €1.5 million in add-ons and a 20 per cent sell-on clause included in the agreement. He becomes Roma's second summer signing after Castro. The 23-year-old represents a significant defensive reinforcement for Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season. Koulierakis, who has featured regularly in the Bundesliga, brings experience at a high level and adds depth to Roma's backline alongside existing defenders including Mario Hermoso, Evan N'Dicka, and Gianluca Mancini. The transfer was confirmed across social media on 1 August, with images and video of Koulierakis and his agent Paschalis Tountouris captured during their journey to the Italian capital. The defender will now complete standard club procedures before being integrated into pre-season training.