Molina Deal Done: Roma Agree 13m Fee with Atlético Madrid

Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a new contract with Roma, turning down offers from Juventus and Besiktas to remain with the club. The midfielder, born in 1996 and formally out of contract from 1 July, will be welcomed back by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini on his return from Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales and England, where a friendly against Brighton is scheduled for 8 August. Pellegrini has used recent weeks to recover from injury, a period that Sky Sport reports helped all parties involved reach the best decision. The club is expected to announce the renewal on 7 August. The deal is structured as a one-year agreement. The midfielder's decision to commit to Roma underlines his importance to Gasperini's plans for the 2026-27 season. Pellegrini, who wears the number 7, was free to negotiate with any club after his previous terms expired but chose to stay at the Giallorossi rather than pursue moves elsewhere.

Roma radio commentators debated the club's transfer strategy and squad ambitions in the current window. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that in the summer friendlies, Roma have resembled last season's side, and stressed: "In these summer friendlies, we saw the same squad as last year. If a genuinely elite player doesn't arrive—one capable of shifting the balance and adding quality—then Roma remain a repetitive team. The club has several certainties, but creativity is what it is. To try and raise the level of the attacking department, we need a player of that calibre who reshuffles the cards." Elsewhere, commentators weighed the merits of potential signings and departures. Alessandro Vocalelli noted that while Neil El Aynaoui is useful and two-footed, "there is a full category of difference" between him and Manu Koné, describing Koné as possibly Roma's most irreplaceable player—more so even than goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Ugo Trani argued that Romain Fofana's ankle injury has improved and he is much better, though Roma remain cautious and will assess him in person. On other targets, Trani said Nusa would not be uncomfortable joining Roma and Lipsia are willing to sell at their asking price; he also noted that Gian Piero Gasperini had made a personal commitment to appear on a radio show rather than a contractual obligation with Sky, meaning an interview could happen in the coming days. Nando Orsi backed the potential signing of Molina at right-back, calling him a capable player with experience who fits Gasperini's long-held idea of a right-side five, though Orsi acknowledged he may not fundamentally alter the team's balance.

Gian Piero Gasperini cancelled a scheduled Sky Sport interview on the evening of 6 August, the third occasion on which he has declined to speak to media during his time at Roma. The cancellation came after a market meeting at the club's training base at Hensol extended beyond the planned timeframe. CEO Galantic remained at the resort; Ryan Friedkin had left that morning but joined the call remotely alongside director of sport D'Amico, who has been travelling between Milan and Rome to oversee ongoing negotiations. Gasperini is growing impatient over the club's failure to secure a left-sided attacking player, a position the head coach views as critical before the season opens in 17 days. Roma continue to pursue Nusa from RB Leipzig, but the German club's asking price remains around €60 million and they show no willingness to negotiate. The club has also explored Fofana, though his fitness raises concerns. Attempts to discuss Martinelli and Leão have stalled: Martinelli's wage demand of €7 million in sterling is considered prohibitive, and Leão's situation is similarly complicated. The ownership has reaffirmed that its strict salary cap policy will not change. Molina is expected to arrive within days and will join Castro and Koulierakis on the list of new arrivals, but without the left winger the squad remains short of Gasperini's requirements. The meeting left Gasperini unsettled, and he chose silence rather than face media questions. He is unlikely to expect significant late signings and may address the press after Roma's friendly against Brighton, their final pre-season match in England before returning to the capital.

Roma captain Bryan Cristante spoke to Sky Sport from the club's pre-season camp in Wales, ahead of a friendly at Brighton tomorrow that concludes the week's matches overseas. Cristante expressed pride at Roma's return to the Champions League after a prolonged absence. "We've been wanting to play in the Champions, we'd been close a few times, we're proud to play it," he said. "It's important to have the society's presence, which gives an extra gear even in the market; we talk about it daily." Cristante highlighted his desire to face Real Madrid in Europe and revealed that Lorenzo Pellegrini, expected to rejoin the squad soon, remains a key part of the project. "I'd like to play at the Bernabéu in the Champions, it would be nice to play in the new stadium and see Mourinho again," he added. The midfielder also confirmed he and Paulo Dybala had resolved a disagreement that arose during Roma's pre-season match in Cardiff. "We cleared it up straight away, it was a small disagreement that happened on the pitch and ended there," Cristante explained. On domestic ambitions, Cristante acknowledged the Serie A title as Roma's dream objective but cautioned about the campaign's difficulty. "The Scudetto is the dream but it's still early, the league is difficult and very competitive. We want to have a good Champions, we hope to be in the fight in January to try to play for the championship." Cristante also reflected positively on his experiences under Italy manager Mancini, saying the goal is to "be reborn and return to where we belong."

Radio pundits have weighed in on Roma's transfer activity and squad composition ahead of the new season. Carina told Radio Radio Mattino that Lorenzo Pellegrini's one-year contract renewal was surprising, noting that Gasperini's line had prevailed over the club's initial reluctance to renew either Pellegrini or Paulo Dybala. "I continue to think that Roma still lack a bit of quality," Carina said. "Judgements on the market will ultimately be given based on the profile of the left-sided winger." Pruzzo echoed similar concerns on the same station, observing that recent summer friendlies had shown the same squad as last year. "If a player capable of truly shifting the balance and adding quality doesn't arrive, then it remains a repetitive squad," he said. "Roma has several certainties but the creativity is what it is. To try to raise the level of the attacking department, that type of player who reshuffles the deck is needed." Meanwhile, defender Molina is set to arrive at Roma imminently. Matera reported that the player was in Madrid on 6 August for passport processing and could land in Rome on 7 August, with the aim of having him available at Trigoria on Tuesday when training resumes after the squad's return from Wales. Orsi assessed Molina as a solid acquisition with the experience and characteristics Gasperini has long sought in a right-sided fifth-back role, though cautioned he would not fundamentally reshape the team's balance.

Santiago Castro, Roma's summer signing from Bologna for approximately 35 million euros, has declared his ambition to help the club compete for the Serie A title. Speaking from Roma's pre-season training camp in Cardiff, the Argentine forward said: "Certo, ho visto il valore di questo gruppo e possiamo giocarcela con tutti. Perché abbiamo giocatori forti in tutti i reparti e Gasperini è uno dei migliori allenatori d'Italia. Siamo al livello per competere per lo scudetto e per la Coppa Italia. E vogliamo fare bene in Champions. Se sei alla Roma devi ambire a vincere tutto." He added that other Italian clubs had approached him before his move, but that Roma was his only choice. Castro joins a squad already featuring Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, with whom he shares close ties. He said of Soulé: "Con Soulé ci conosciamo da undici anni, giocavamo insieme nel Velez e adesso è incredibile ritrovarsi qui insieme, da uomini e non più da bambini che rincorrevano un pallone sognando l'Europa." The 2004-born forward will compete with Donyell Malen for attacking minutes. On that rivalry, Castro stated: "Assolutamente no, io e Donny saremo in competizione per giocare tanto, ma soprattutto per il bene della squadra. Questa sana rivalità mi farà crescere tanto. Malen è un attaccante fortissimo, ci alterneremo, potremo anche giocare insieme."

Roma's transfer activity this summer drew mixed reaction from Rome radio pundits on 6 August, with focus on the arrival of Molina from Atlético Madrid. Ugo Trani noted that Molina performed best at Udinese under Cioffi in a left-back role, scoring 8 goals in one season and 7 in the league, adding that his errors came in a traditional fullback position where he will not play under Gasperini. Mario Mattioli said: "I like Molina, even when he was at Udine: he is a good player, at Roma he can do very well. It raises the level of the squad: he is not a world-beater, but he is reliable. For me it is an excellent signing." Piero Torri offered a broader assessment, saying: "The garnishes have arrived. Now the main course is missing, which is the high-sided winger. Then we can discuss the timing, the chronology of Roma's transfer market, but what Roma has done so far is right. The main course is missing, but it will arrive, because tomorrow Roma are short-handed." Roberto Pruzzo characterised Molina as a dependable player with experience and full physical fitness, noting that Atlético Madrid's Diego Simeone had decided to refresh the fullback positions after Çelik requested a departure. Nando Orsi predicted Molina would play as a left-back, suggesting Gasperini is building two wing-backs capable of improving on those he had at Atalanta, and described him as one of the best among Roma's recent fullbacks.

Roma have completed negotiations with Atlético Madrid to sign Nahuel Molina. The defender will undergo medicals and sign his contract in the coming days once he returns from vacation. Roma will pay €13M plus €4M in potential add-ons, with Molina earning approximately €3M annually. The club had inquired about him earlier in the summer when Atlético Madrid initially asked for €20M. The signing comes after Roma opted away from a lengthy pursuit of other targets. Feyenoord had rejected a €25M offer plus €4M bonuses and a 10 percent sell-on clause for Givairo Read. Roma had been searching for a young fullback for several weeks but ultimately decided to pursue the more experienced and readily available option. Molina spent two successful seasons at Udinese before joining Atlético Madrid, establishing himself as a regular for Argentina. He has recorded 25 goal contributions over his last four campaigns and ranks among Europe's most prolific defenders. Molina will offer a clear upgrade on the attacking flank compared to Zeki Çelik, helping to balance Roma's formation which had relied heavily on Wesley's offensive contribution. His defensive limitations can be managed by playing behind a solid centre-back.

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.