Koulierakis is far more than Hermoso's understudy: how Gasperini will reshape the defence

Santiago Castro has completed his transfer to AS Roma from Bologna on a permanent deal and will wear the number 9 shirt. The Argentine striker spent nearly three years at Bologna, where he helped the club secure Champions League qualification and win the Coppa Italia after 51 years. Castro posted a lengthy farewell message to Bologna supporters on social media, reflecting on his time at the club. He wrote: "Today, after nearly three years, the moment has come to say goodbye. I still remember when, at just 19 years old, I arrived in this splendid city that opened its doors to me, welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home. From that first day, I have lived unforgettable moments that I will treasure forever. From the historic and unforgettable qualification to the Champions League, achieved thanks to an extraordinary group of people, to the privilege of reaching glory by lifting that long-awaited trophy after 51 years. And, of course, our European adventure, where we left our mark and showed how far a team can go when it stays united." Castro quickly followed with a second message welcoming Roma supporters: "I am very happy for this new beginning with these colours! Now I will give my all for this city! Daje Roma!"

Santiago Castro has joined AS Roma as the club's first summer signing, arriving directly from Bologna. The Argentine forward has completed his medical examination and participated in a photoshoot and tour of Trigoria as he begins his new chapter in the Italian capital. Castro's arrival marks Roma's opening move in the summer transfer window, bringing fresh attacking reinforcement to the squad. The signing underscores the club's commitment to strengthening its offensive options ahead of the new season.

Santiago Castro has completed his move to AS Roma from Bologna. Matías Soulé, his Argentine compatriot and friend, welcomed the new striker on social media by reposting Castro's announcement with the caption: "Benvenuto, fratello!" (Welcome, brother!). The pair had previously signalled their rapport through social media interactions in recent weeks. Now they will have the opportunity to play together for Roma, beginning with the club's training camp in Wales. Castro will wear the number 9 shirt for the Giallorossi.

Artem Dovbyk has completed a move to Bologna on loan with a right of recall, ending his time at Roma for the current season. The Ukrainian striker departs as the club continues its attacking reshaping under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Dovbyk's exit represents another step in Roma's offensive overhaul. The arrival of Santiago Castro, who has claimed the number 9 shirt, provides Gasperini with a new focal point for the forward line. Dovbyk will seek to rediscover his best form under Bologna's management.

Roma's transfer activity accelerated sharply within 24 hours as sporting director D'Amico worked to reshape Gasperini's squad. The most advanced negotiation concerns centre-back Koulierakis, a 2003-born Greek left-footer from Wolfsburg, who has already agreed personal terms with Roma. Wolfsburg were relegated to the Zweite Bundesliga in May. Midfield target Fresneda has also come into focus, though the Portuguese club's €20 million valuation remains a gap from Roma's position. Dialogue has opened with Torino over Cacciamani, with the Serie A club seeking €15 million. Left-back alternatives are being pursued after difficulties over another name: Bahoya and Ezzalzouli are both under consideration. The Spanish club holding Ezzalzouli's registration has a €60 million release clause, but would accept €45 million; Roma have indicated they wish to offer €10 million less than that figure. D'Amico was abroad on business during recent days while managing these parallel negotiations. The activity follows confirmation that Artem Dovbyk's move from Bolognese to Roma is progressing, with double announcement expected imminently.

Santiago Castro's AS Roma career is officially underway following his arrival in Rome, where he was greeted by approximately 300 supporters at Termini station. The 2004-born Argentine has completed his medical examination and met with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at Trigoria, also reconnecting with fellow countryman Matías Soulé and receiving a welcome from Paulo Dybala. Castro will inherit the number 9 shirt vacated by Artem Dovbyk and has signed through to 2031 on a net salary of 2 million euros per season. Roma invested 35 million euros plus bonus payments and retain 10 per cent of any future resale fee to Bologna for the acquisition. Gasperini gains a quick, technical striker suited to his tactical demands and capable of operating alongside Donyell Malen in either a 3-4-1-2 formation or with the Dutch winger deployed out wide. Castro arrives in full physical condition and will travel with the squad for their winter training camp in Wales, where he is expected to feature in the upcoming friendly against Cardiff to build match fitness.

Roma have tabled a €25 million offer to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, according to Fabrizio Romano, in a move designed to strengthen the right flank. The bid supersedes a €19 million offer from Nottingham Forest and comes after the club completed deals for Castro and Koulierakis. Read, born in 2006 in Amsterdam, emerged as a standout performer in Eredivisie last season under Robin van Persie's management, making 16 appearances with one goal and three assists. The Dutch-Surinamese talent has drawn comparisons to Internazionale's Dumfries, recently departed for Real Madrid, owing to his pace and dual threat in defence and attack. At 175cm, Read brings modern full-back qualities: disciplined defending coupled with consistent offensive thrust. He featured prominently in the Netherlands' Under-19 European Championship-winning campaign. However, the 20-year-old's 2025–26 campaign was disrupted by two consecutive hamstring injuries that sidelined him for more than three months—a concern that momentarily cooled Bayern Munich's interest. Once fit, he has reestablished himself among Europe's most sought-after young full-backs. Read made his senior debut against Roma in a Europa League fixture three years earlier. His performances in Eredivisie and Champions League have not escaped the attention of elite clubs across the continent. Roma's sporting director D'Amico is now pursuing the profile as a long-term prospect to compete with or replace Çelik on the right.

Roma are on the verge of signing Greek centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis, with the club's director of sport Tony D'Amico advancing negotiations on two fronts. The player has signalled his willingness to join the Giallorossi, while D'Amico has spent hours negotiating with the German club over bonuses on a fixed fee of €15 million. The signing would continue Roma's tradition of recruiting Greek defenders, following in the footsteps of Traianos Dellas and Kostas Manolas. The deal represents one of several moves the club is pursuing across the pitch this window. The transfer for Antonio Nusa of Leipzig has been ruled out due to prohibitive costs, but Roma remain in talks over Abde Ezzalzouli of Betis (€35 million plus €3 million in bonuses) and Jean-Matteo Bahoya of Eintracht. A more concrete option has emerged in 24-year-old Brentford winger Kevin Schade. At full-back, Roma continue to pursue Spanish left-back Ivan Fresneda of Sporting Lisbona, valued at over €20 million, with the club preparing an offer of €15 million plus bonuses to fill the void after Zeki Çelik.

Roma are pursuing Ivan Fresneda from Sporting CP as a wing-back target, with the club having held three recent talks with the defender and his representatives. Fresneda's valuation stands at around €17–18 million plus substantial bonuses. The Portuguese side signed him from Real Valladolid for €9 million in 2023, and he has since made 81 appearances, scoring 4 goals and providing 3 assists. Roma have not yet committed to a formal push for his signature, though he remains among their shortlist of candidates. Abde Ezzalzouli from Real Betis has also emerged as an offensive option for the Giallorossi, though his price tag is comparable to other attacking targets that have fallen through. Ezzalzouli has scored 29 times and supplied 18 assists in 128 games for Betis and has earned 37 caps for Morocco. Roma's wing-back search has intensified following Zeki Çelik's recent about-face, and the club recognises the need for reinforcements in multiple positions. Elsewhere, Roma placed a €2.5 million bid for Club America's Israel Reyes but face a significant gap—the Mexican club is demanding €7 million. Reyes has featured 146 times in five seasons with Club America. Roma remain interested in Antonio Nusa, though negotiations remain complex, and they continue to pursue attacking reinforcements despite the earlier arrival of Santiago Castro.

Angeliño has sealed a transfer to Deportivo La Coruña, returning to the Spanish club where he began his professional career. The Roma left-back will join on loan with a purchase option valued at €2 million. The deal represents an exit following a difficult season plagued by serious injury problems, and Angeliño failed to convince head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during the opening weeks of pre-season training. The clubs have reached an agreement with paperwork and contract signatures to follow shortly. The 28-year-old Spanish defender's departure marks an expected conclusion after limited involvement in Gasperini's plans at Roma. His injury troubles in the previous campaign significantly hampered his availability, and the new coaching regime has opted to move him on rather than retain him as a squad option. The loan-with-option structure allows Roma to offload his wages while maintaining a potential sell-on avenue should Depor choose to exercise the €2 million clause.

Roma have moved swiftly to strengthen their squad ahead of their pre-season tour in Wales and subsequent friendly in Brighton. Sporting director D'Amico has virtually wrapped up the signing of Greek defender Koulierakis from Torino, who demanded 12 million euros. The 2003-born left-footer, standing 194 centimetres tall, will serve as Mario Hermoso's backup after Gasperini identified the need for additional defensive depth at the start of summer. In parallel developments, Salah-Eddine has moved to Olympiakos for 7 million euros plus 1 million in bonuses—a deal that provides the club with valuable financial gain through player sales. Angeliño is close to departing, returning to Deportivo la Coruña on a free loan with a 2 million euro option to buy. D'Amico is pursuing young prospect Cacciamani as a potential talent to develop under Gasperini. The most complex negotiation concerns an attacking winger. RB Leipzig's Nusa carries a 60 million euro valuation deemed unreachable. Attention has shifted to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli of Real Betis, whose 60 million euro release clause sits well above current discussions; Betis want 40 million euros while Roma have offered 35 million. Gasperini views Cacciamani as a young option to develop behind the primary winger, currently Wesley, though the coach's ambition remains pursuit of Moreira.

Roma's transfer window has shifted into high gear. An official double announcement confirming the exchange of Santiago Castro and Artem Dovbyk with Bologna is expected imminently. Director of football Tony D'Amico is close to securing Konstantinos Koulierakis, the left-footed centre-back from Wolfsburg born in 2003, who has already given his full approval. An agreement with the German club is being finalised for a fee near €15 million. Koulierakis will expand Roma's central defensive options alongside Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Jan Ziółkowski pushing for a departure. In defence and the wide areas, Ivan Fresneda (Sporting Lisbon asking €20 million) and Gabriele Cacciamani, the 19-year-old Torino prospect who impressed on loan at Juve Stabia, remain under consideration at €15 million. In attack, Abde Ezzalzouli has returned to the agenda alongside Jean-Mattéo Bahoya. Real Betis are demanding €45 million, while Roma are targeting a reduction to €35 million. On outgoings, Riccardo Pagano's move to Cesena has been confirmed with a sell-on clause retained by Roma. Anass Salah-Eddine's transfer to Olympiacos for €7.5 million is closing, and Angeliño has joined Deportivo La Coruña on loan with a €3 million purchase option.