Mourinho complicates Roma's pursuit of Nusa

Roma have paused negotiations for Sassuolo winger Tresoldi and pivoted to Bologna's Mateo Castro as their preferred option to provide competition for Donyell Malen. Sporting director D'Amico is working on multiple fronts in the transfer market, but an attacking reinforcement remains a priority alongside securing a deputy for Malen. The Tresoldi operation ground to a halt in recent hours because Club Brugge's asking price of €50 million proved prohibitive; despite reaching personal terms with the player, Roma decided to explore alternative targets. Castro, an Argentine forward, has emerged as the leading candidate. Gasperini is keen on the profile, and initial contact has already been established. Bologna value the 23-year-old at approximately €40 million. Further talks are scheduled for the coming days as Roma look to strengthen their forward line before the squad departs for Wales on Friday. Gasperini is hoping to welcome at least one new signing before that departure.

Santiago Castro's performance against Roma on 19 March — when Bologna won 4–3 at the Olimpico with an assist and goal from the Argentine striker — eliminated the Giallorossi from the Europa League and sent the Emilia-Romagna side to the quarter-finals, where they later fell to Aston Villa in May. The display exemplified Castro's blend of determination and clinical finishing that has now attracted Roma's interest as the club weighs a summer move for the 20-year-old. Castro's trajectory began at Velez in Buenos Aires, where he spent a decade in the youth system before making his senior debut in August 2021 at just 16 years old. He scored his first goal in Copa Argentina against Cipolletti in March 2022, followed by a strike against Talleres, signalling the creativity and positioning that would define his play. After totalling two goals in 2021–22 and seven in 2022–23, Bologna sporting director Sartori signed him in January 2024 for just over 13 million euros. Castro wrote on social media on the day of departure: "I leave peacefully, because I gave everything." The departure of Sergiño Zirkzee after his first six months opened the pathway to regular minutes. In 2025–26, Castro has continued his development: he hit the crossbar against Roma, scored a spectacular goal against Fiorentina, and netted with a heel flick versus Genoa. At 1.79 metres tall, he operates effectively both from distance and inside the box through work-rate and technical quality. Roma is considering Castro or Tresoldi as a forward option.

Manchester United have offered Marcus Rashford to Roma as the two clubs explore a transfer corridor in the coming days. The 27-year-old winger, who featured for England at the World Cup, is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford following Barcelona's decision not to activate a purchase option. United manager Carrick has placed him on the exit list. Rashford represents a quality signing with significant international experience, but Roma face a major obstacle: his current salary of approximately €11 million per year is unaffordable for the club. Any potential deal—whether permanent or on loan—would require United to contribute substantially toward his wages. Manu Koné has simultaneously attracted interest from United, suggesting a possible player-exchange axis between the clubs.