Koulierakis is much more than a Hermoso backup: how Gasperini will reshape the defence

Artem Dovbyk has departed AS Roma to join Bologna on a new challenge after a difficult season marked by injury and surgery. The Ukrainian striker said yes immediately when Bologna manager Domenico Tedesco asked if he wanted to play for the club. "They explained the project and the ambition of this club, which wants to achieve much more this season. I am here to give my best," Dovbyk said. Dovbyk, who arrived at Roma from Girona, has now moved on as the Giallorossi pursue other targets, including Castro. The 28-year-old striker told Bologna's official channels that he was convinced by sporting director and manager Tedesco. He praised the squad's unity and individual quality. "It is a very friendly group, it seems like a family. Everyone fights for each other and there are many players of great individual quality," he said. "I know this club has helped many strikers grow in the past and I want to try to give everything for this team, score and help it." On his personal goals, Dovbyk expressed his hunger to play and regain peak condition. "I have hunger and I want to play. I want to rediscover my ideal condition and help the collective. I know the history of Ukrainian players in Italy and I know I am the first to wear Bologna's shirt. I am honoured and I want to achieve great goals here," he said.

Konstantinos Koulierakis will undergo medical tests in Rome tomorrow after all regulatory approvals were secured, becoming Roma's second summer signing. The Greek defender joins from Wolfsburg on a deal worth 16.5 million euros plus 1.5 million in add-ons, with the German club retaining 20 per cent of any future resale. He has already signed his contract. Meanwhile, Roma have begun the second phase of their summer preparation in Cardiff, Wales, under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The squad will remain at their Hensol base—approximately 20 kilometres from Cardiff—until 8 August, training at the WRU National Centre of Excellence and facing three friendly matches against Cardiff City, Newport County, and Brighton. Niccolò Pisilli has recovered from a calf problem and was included in the touring party, along with Robinio Vaz, who recently returned to group training. Roma are also pursuing Givairo Read, the Dutch right-back from Feyenoord. Sporting director Tony D'Amico has submitted a 25 million euro offer to open negotiations, though Read remains a target for several Premier League clubs. Read said: "If the opportunity presents itself to join a club I like, I'll be ready. I feel good physically and mentally right now. My goal is to stay in shape and prove my value on the pitch."

Konstantinos Koulierakis will arrive at Roma tomorrow to undergo medical tests before joining the club on a permanent deal from Wolfsburg. The Greek defender, born 2003, will then travel to Wales to link up with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini for the second phase of pre-season preparation. The transfer is worth 17 million euros plus 1.5 million in bonuses, with an additional 20 per cent clause on any future sale included in the agreement. Koulierakis becomes Roma's second summer signing, following Santiago Castro. The move brings a reinforcement to the defence where he will compete with Mario Hermoso for a starting place while raising the overall quality of the squad. The defender was notably absent from Wolfsburg's friendly against Telstar today, and had also sat out the previous week's match against Lyon, signalling the imminent completion of his departure from the Bundesliga club.

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 have tabled a €25 million bid to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, hoping to conclude negotiations in the coming days. The offer represents a significant step up from Zeki Çelik's position at the club. Feyenoord remain reluctant to sell, preferring to keep the 20-year-old for another season before potentially commanding a higher fee. Nottingham Forest have also entered the race, offering €19 million plus €2 million in bonuses, a move Roma were aware of before raising their bid. Read has already agreed personal terms with Forest on a five-year contract worth €20 million plus bonuses, which prompted him to push for a departure from the Eredivisie club. Should Roma succeed in persuading Feyenoord to sell, they will need to offer Read a substantial salary of approximately €4 million per year to compete with the English offer. Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is attempting to convince the player to stay, and is considering offering him the captain's armband despite his youth. Read arrived at Feyenoord on a free transfer from Volendam in 2023. Roma's pursuit underscores their determination to strengthen the right-back position, with the club prepared to commit significant resources both in transfer fee and wages to secure the Netherlands-based prospect.

Roma confirmed the arrival of Greek defender Koulierakis from Wolfsburg for €15 million, with medical tests scheduled today. The transfer marks the second major signing following the announcement of Argentine forward Castro, who gave his first interview to the club. Castro said: "I couldn't wait to be here, Gasp is ideal for me. I'm a player who needs to improve everything, I need to score more goals even though the team comes first for me." He also warned Lazio: "I've already scored two goals against them, and I want to keep doing that." Director D'Amico is already focused on further reinforcements. Roma have submitted a €25 million offer to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, identified as the primary target to replace Çelik on the right flank. The 2006-born fullback has agreed personal terms, but the Dutch club must still be persuaded. Sporting Lisbona's Fresneda stands as an alternative. On the left wing, Nusa from Leipzig has re-entered Roma's thinking after interest in Ezzalzouli cooled. The club has renewed contact with Leipzig and is prepared to increase their offer, though not to the €60 million the German side demands. Eintracht Frankfurt's Bahoya and an unnamed target also remain under consideration.

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 are actively pursuing attacking reinforcements and wide players across Europe, with director Tony D'Amico currently evaluating targets in the Premier League, La Liga, and Eredivisie to meet head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's requirements. D'Amico's recent trip to Madrid has revived interest in Real Madrid prospects Endrick and Franco Mastantuono, both favoured by Gasperini, though Roma would only sanction their transfer via a buy-back clause—a scenario that could accelerate if Matías Soulé departs. On the attacking front, Kevin Schade of Brentford has emerged as a target valued at 45 million euros by the English club, alongside Antonio Nusa from Leipzig, who is priced at 60 million. Negotiations for Abde Ezzalzouli have stalled following Betis's Champions League qualification and the player's initial reluctance towards the move. For the flanks, Roma are pressing hard for Givairo Read from Feyenoord, having reached total agreement with the Dutchman and tabling an offer close to 25 million euros. Fresneda and Juanlu Sanchez remain alternatives on the right. On the left, the club is evaluating Cacciamani to address numerical gaps created by the imminent departures of Angeliño and Salah-Eddine, which would leave Wesley and Devyne Rensch as the only natural left-back options in the squad.

Roma are accelerating their summer transfer activity, finalizing the signing of defender Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg for approximately 15 million euros while working on several other recruitment fronts. The club's leadership, guided by Tony D'Amico, is putting the finishing touches on bonuses in the Koulierakis deal and simultaneously pursuing options across the flanks. On the right, Roma are monitoring Fresneda of Sporting Lisbon and Givairo Read of Feyenoord—valued at around 25 million euros—as alternatives to first choice Devyne Rensch under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The left side will be reinforced by 2007-born Cacciamani from Torino as a backup to Wesley. In outgoings, Salah-Eddine moves to Olympiacos for 8 million euros total, while Angeliño is set for a loan to Deportivo La Coruña with a 2 million euro buy option. The priority attacking target remains an outside-left, with Antonio Nusa retaining interest despite RB Leipzig's high asking price, while Endrick remains under consideration on a loan-with-option-to-buy basis pending Madrid's approval. Ezzalzouli's path appears more difficult. Roma are also awaiting final clearance from the Friedkin Group to secure Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal.

Roma have announced the squad selected by Gian Piero Gasperini for the second phase of pre-season, with the team departing for Wales in the afternoon. The travelling group includes defenders Rensch, Ndicka, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Mannini, Nardin, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Panico and Bah; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Cherubini and Vaz. The Wales camp marks a significant checkpoint in Roma's preparation for the new season under Gasperini's management. The head coach has selected a mixed squad that blends established first-team players with younger prospects, reflecting the club's approach to squad development during the off-season training schedule. The three-week pre-season programme continues to build fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of Serie A's return.

Roma's second pre-season training camp begins with the squad traveling to Wales this evening under the management of Gian Piero Gasperini. The most notable inclusion in the squad list is the return of midfielder Niccolò Pisilli, who has recovered from a calf injury sustained in recent days and is now fully available to Gasperini. Robinio Vaz has also rejoined the full group after returning to training in the preceding days. The club released the complete squad list via official channels, confirming the presence of new signings and young players aggregated for the overseas tour. The midfield contingent includes Cristante, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Panico, and Bah, while the defence features Rensch, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziółkowski, Wesley, Mannini, Nardin, Reale, Lulli, and Ghilardi. The attacking options comprise Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Cherubini, and Vaz. The tour provides Gasperini with an opportunity to continue the squad's preparation for the upcoming campaign in a controlled environment away from Italy.

Roma travel to Wales this evening for the second phase of their pre-season training camp, with Niccolò Pisilli returning to the squad after a calf injury sidelined him in recent days. Robinio Vaz, who had recovered a few days earlier, is also included in the group named by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The full squad for the Welsh camp comprises three goalkeepers (De Marzi, Gollini, Svilar), thirteen defenders (Rensch, Ndicka, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Mannini, Nardin, Reale, Lulli, Ghilardi), five midfielders (Cristante, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Panico, Bah), and six forwards (Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Cherubini, Vaz). Pisilli's availability marks a significant boost to Gasperini's options as Roma continue their preparations for the new season.