Massara departs Roma; D'Amico set to arrive as new sporting director

Nahuel Molina is on the verge of joining Roma. Talks with Atlético Madrid over the Argentine right-back accelerated on 5 August, with an agreement between the two clubs now in the final stages. Barring any surprises, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will have his new right winger in place. Molina's imminent arrival represents a significant addition to Roma's defensive line as the 2026–27 season approaches. The move has moved swiftly through negotiations in recent hours, positioning the club to complete the transfer in the coming days.

Angeliño has completed a move away from Roma on loan to Deportivo La Coruna, the Spanish club where he developed through the academy. The left-back passed medical examinations and the deal includes a purchase option set at €2 million. Roma announced the agreement in an official statement: "AS Roma communicates that it has reached an agreement with Deportivo La Coruna for the departure of Angeliño. The operation is concluded with the formula of a loan with a right of redemption." Angeliño, 27, endured a difficult campaign at the Giallorossi, hampered by physical issues and other concerns. The move represents a fresh start for the Spanish defender at the club that launched his professional career. By returning to La Coruna, he hopes to rediscover his form and reignite his development under familiar surroundings.

Angeliño has passed his medical and will join Deportivo La Coruña on a loan deal with a right of redemption. The Spanish left-back departs Roma after collecting 80 appearances and 4 goals in giallorosso colours. AS Roma confirmed the transfer, stating: "L'AS Roma comunica di avere trovato l'accordo con il Deportivo La Coruna per la cessione di Angelino. L'operazione si conclude con la formula del prestito con diritto di riscatto. In giallorosso, l'esterno spagnolo ha collezionato 80 presenze, segnando 4 gol. In bocca al lupo per il futuro, Angelino!" The departure opens the door for Roma to pursue a new left-back, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino on the club's radar. Torino are demanding €15 million plus bonuses and are unwilling to reduce their asking price, though talks between the parties continue. Kumbulla has also been cleared to leave and will join Rayo Vallecano on loan with a right of redemption, with his medical scheduled for the following day.

Juventus extended their pre-season preparation with a 1–0 victory over Chelsea, with Zhegrova settling the friendly with a first-time finish. The Serie A side, managed by Spalletti, built on an earlier closed-door win against Nice to overcome Xabi Alonso's side. Juventus looked to exploit transitions while Chelsea relied more on possession football. Zeki Çelik, the Roma defender, featured in the match and earned a rating of 6.5, showing positive signs in his performance. Douglas Luiz, meanwhile, failed to impress and was rated 5 by observers. The fixture served as another meaningful test for Juventus ahead of the competitive season. Zhegrova's clinical finishing proved decisive in what was an otherwise closely contested encounter between the two European sides.

Roma's transfer activity continues to take shape as negotiations over a move for Molina from Atlético Madrid advance, with agreement between the clubs already in place and details being finalised with the player, according to commentary on Roman radio. The move represents an upgrade on Zeki Çelik at left-back, following the collapse of earlier attempts to sign Read from Feyenoord. Felici questioned the market's inflation, citing the €25 million paid for Robinio Vaz as excessive, whilst observing that established players like Molina command more realistic valuations than emerging talent. Carina argued that Roma remain behind schedule in constructing their squad for the coming season. Gasperini is awaiting the arrival of at least four wide players to implement his preferred system, and with the pre-season phase underway to test the squad, the club still has structural gaps to address. Carina stated: "If the summer is being used to trial the squad ahead of the season then Roma is in arrears. In prospect of the league it still looks a bit short, because this is when you should be working with the squad that will define the season. There are still some holes." Pruzzo offered a critical assessment of defender Koulierakis following a friendly on 4 August, saying: "Koulierakis yesterday did not make a great impression on me. He seemed a bit approximate and made many sloppy passes. I didn't understand whether he is a defender who wants to hold his position or go to meet the attacker. I hope I'm wrong and that he is a player with the strength to play as a defensive utility man." Ryan Friedkin made a surprise appearance at the friendly.

Roma have accelerated their search for a new right-winger after Zeki Çelik's unexpected departure, but face a sticking point in the transfer market. Givairo Read of Feyenoord remains the preference, yet the Dutch club has stiffened its demands to more than €30 million in recent days, prompting Roma to pivot towards Atlético Madrid's Nahuel Molina. The Argentine World Cup winner, formerly of Udinese, is being targeted with an offer of approximately €17 million including bonuses—a significant saving on Read's inflated price. Molina currently earns €2.8 million annually in Spain, and Roma await his approval of the deal. Ryan Friedkin attended Roma's 4–1 friendly victory over Newport County and continues to oversee transfer strategy. The shift towards Molina is partly a signal to Feyenoord that Roma will not be moved by sudden price hikes. Other targets including Savona and Fresneda remain on the list; any money saved from a cheaper Molina deal could be reinvested in an additional winger. Roma have narrowed the gap with Torino over Cacciamani, with a decisive meeting with the Turin club's board taking place today. In attack, a final push for Nusa is imminent, with an offer to Lyon for Fofana standing ready if that bid fails.

Evan N'Dicka has spoken ahead of Roma's Champions League campaign, emphasizing the club's ambitions after finishing third in Serie A last season. The defender, now in his fourth season at Roma under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, said: "It's beautiful to play in this competition, but we don't want to be extras. We have to be ambitious. We have to go step by step, Serie A is a complicated championship and finishing third is not simple. We are working to do better." N'Dicka is a key defensive leader for Gasperini's side, which secured Champions League qualification last term. The centre-back acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that Serie A remains one of Europe's toughest leagues and that European competition demands a different level of intensity and consistency. The full interview will be published on 6 August on Forzaroma.info, where N'Dicka discusses these themes and other aspects of his role and Roma's season ahead.

Evan N'Dicka has spoken about his experience playing in the Champions League and his relationship with José Mourinho, reflecting on Roma's ambitions for the season ahead. The full interview will be published tomorrow. N'Dicka also commented on Roma's aims to improve on last season's performance. The defender, who joined Roma in July 2023 from Eintracht Frankfurt, has established himself as a key figure in the club's defence under the current coaching setup. The complete exclusive interview with N'Dicka will be available tomorrow on the publication's platform.

Roma face Newport County in their second pre-season friendly in Wales on 4 August at 20:00 at the Rodney Parade. The match follows an earlier fixture against Cardiff City during the summer preparation period under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal; Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Koulierakis across the back; Devyne Rensch and Wesley as wing-backs; Neil El Aynaoui and Bryan Cristante in midfield; Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield line; and Donyell Malen leading the attack. Tickets are available through Newport County's official website. The friendly will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text coverage available on ilromanista.eu.

Roma claimed a commanding 4–1 victory over Newport County in a friendly at Rodney Parade. Gian Piero Gasperini's side weathered an uncertain start—Newport's Biggins struck the crossbar and Mile Svilar made an error that could have changed the match—before quality prevailed. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring late in the first half, then Castro converted from the penalty spot and Koulierakis added a third, both scoring for the first time in Roma colours. Matías Soulé completed the rout with the fourth goal. Cameron netted a late consolation for the hosts. The emphatic result underlines Roma's growing threat in attack as the 2026–27 season approaches. Hermoso, Castro and Koulierakis all featured prominently, with the newcomers Castro and Koulierakis marking their debuts with goals—a significant boost to Gasperini's preparations ahead of competitive action. The comfortable nature of the victory suggests Roma are building momentum in their pre-season schedule.

Mario Hermoso put Roma ahead in the 38th minute during their second pre-season friendly in Wales against Newport County at Rodney Parade. Bryan Cristante recovered possession to launch the move, then found Hermoso with the help of a deflection off Castro, with the Spanish defender finishing from close range to settle the opening period at 1–0. Gasperini's side began slowly but grew into the match. Mile Svilar made a vital save in the 14th minute to deny Doidge after the Newport forward was left unmarked, while Paulo Dybala and Castro posed occasional threats in attack. Newport threatened early through Biggins, whose long-range effort struck the crossbar in the 4th minute, but Roma's defence gradually tightened. The friendly served as a fitness-building exercise during the Wales training camp. Donyell Malen was absent through fever. Gasperini made a tactical adjustment in the 36th minute, switching Wesley to the right flank and Devyne Rensch to the left. Jenkins received a booking for Newport in the 40th minute. The match was officiated by Martin, with Tweson-Morris and Hooper as assistants.

Roma's transfer strategy dominated Roman radio discussion on 4 August 2026, with prominent voices divided over the club's pursuit of Read and wider recruitment targets. Alessandro Vocalelli argued Roma should not rush into signings, stating: "I prefer to wait to sign an important player rather than sign a mediocre footballer straight away." He criticised Gasperini's squad retention, suggesting players like Svilar—who has reached a level where "it would have been a bargain to sell him for 60 or 70 million"—should have been sold. Luigi Ferrajolo warned that failing to land Read would represent a third failed negotiation, citing systemic problems: "The problem with Roma is that it cannot get the players it wants." Francesco Balzani claimed Roma believed it could close Read's deal on 4 August, having moved close to Feyenoord's asking price, but stressed the club must now look elsewhere. He also highlighted a paradox over Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has been out of contract for weeks with an agreement in place—yet awaiting Friedkin Group approval to finalise terms. Roberto Pruzzo advocated shifting focus away from Read: "Roma should go for Dodo instead of investing in a 20-year-old prospect. This year the Giallorossi must seek certainties and it would be better to go for a proven player. Before investing 30 million on a footballer who already knows Serie A." Ugo Trani predicted Roma would pursue Fofana if Nusa fell through, noting that the squad must be ready in 20 days, with the left-winger position still incomplete.