Koulierakis eager to play at the Olimpico

Santiago Castro is now officially a Roma player, and head coach Gasperini has acquired his new centre-forward option alongside Donyell Malen. The Argentine, nicknamed 'El Torito' for his resemblance to Lautaro Martínez and citing Batistuta, Tevez and Milito as idols, did not begin his career as a lead striker. At Vélez Sarsfield, Castro played right-back before Daniel Cielinski, a coach working with him at youth level, asked whether he would consider moving forward. Cielinski, now working between Atletio Perù's youth academy and Los Andes' women's team in Buenos Aires, recalled Castro in 2014 as a 10-year-old boy with exceptional energy and intensity. "When you ask a child 'where do you like to play?', most say 'striker', but Santiago gave a different answer: he simply wanted to play," Cielinski said. "He had the desire to start the action, to always be the one initiating play. That indicated he could become an attacker." Castro initially struggled in the role, failing to score in his first ten matches, but Cielinski persisted with the position. "After the tenth match I think he scored two goals. From there everything started: he stayed in that role and naturally loved it. He never stopped." Cielinski identified Castro's standout quality as power and bravery with both feet, noting he always sought the ball and moved continuously. "I see him in the penalty area, inside the box, in the space around the penalty arc," Cielinski said of his ideal position. He praised Castro's family, particularly his father's respectful non-interference in the coaching process throughout his son's development.

Roma have identified Givairo Read as their third summer signing to strengthen the flanks, with the Dutch winger from Volendam accepting a deal over alternative offers from Nottingham Forest. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held direct talks with Read to outline his tactical plans following Roma's defeat to Cardiff, which prompted the coach to request an acceleration in the transfer market. Read has agreed to join, with Wesley set to move permanently to the left wing, a position where he has thrived after playing on the opposite flank during his time in Brazil. Roma must now secure Feyenoord's consent. Negotiations between the clubs are ongoing and intensive. Roma's initial proposal of €25 million total was deemed insufficient by Feyenoord, who specified a requirement of approximately €30 million. Sporting director D'Amico has returned with a revised offer of €28 million overall. The club is working to reach an agreement by structuring the deal through a fixed fee, bonuses, and a percentage of future resale proceeds.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is waiting for reinforcements and sent a barb at the club following Roma's 4–1 defeat in Cardiff. After signing Castro, Roma have targeted Norwegian winger Nusa and offered Leipzig €40 million plus bonuses, though the German club is asking for €60 million. The alternative remains Betis winger Ezzalzouli, for whom the 24-year-old Moroccan's club is asking €55 million. A new option is now Endrick, a Brazilian playmaker who could arrive on loan from Real Madrid with the Spanish club retaining a right of redemption, according to reports. Diego Moreira of Strasbourg remains under consideration. In defence, Roma are monitoring Fiorentina's Dodo, Sporting's Fresneda, and Feyenoord's Read. For the last-named, Roma have offered €25 million. Elsewhere, discussions continue over the renewal of Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract.