Ponza becomes international destination as celebrities flock to Italian island

Galatasaray continue to shadow Roma in the transfer market, pursuing an attacking winger and creating competition across multiple fronts. Rodrigo Mora was under serious consideration by the Istanbul club for several days, but that interest has cooled, allowing Roma to move into pole position for the Portuguese player. Galatasaray remain a dangerous proposition, however. Reports also link the Turkish champions to Matías Soulé; if they acquire him, Roma would gain the financial means to accelerate their pursuit of Mora and free up space to complete a double deal for Endrick. Yet another target could reshape the landscape: Rafael Leão, who appears to be Galatasaray's primary objective at present, even though the Portuguese winger was previously on Roma's extended shortlist. AC Milan remain inflexible on Leão's departure terms, demanding only a permanent transfer at 50–60 million euros. The Rossoneri have rejected all overtures, including loan-with-obligation structures, despite considering Leão available for sale. That is a wall Galatasaray will find difficult to breach, but the Turkish champions show no sign of backing away from their pursuit.

Radio commentators in Rome have weighed in on Roma's transfer strategy this summer, with mixed assessments of the club's recruitment direction. Carina on Radio Radio Mattimo said: "Honestly it seems to me there is some confusion in Roma's market. The problem is the type of player being sought. Mora is a player of infinite talent, but he hasn't had an important season and struggled in Farioli's 4-3-3. What doesn't convince me about Roma's market is that they've moved from finished profiles like Greenwood and Summerville to very young players." Pruzzo warned that Roma must improve squad quality, noting: "Roma must raise the level of the squad, it is very far behind. I saw a team really in difficulty. If we are on this trend two weeks from the start of the season things become worrying." Orsi attributed rising prices to urgency, saying: "When other teams know you need to go get players urgently in a specific role, prices go up. I think Gasperini is not happy at all." Mattioli struck a more optimistic tone on the arrivals completed so far, stating: "Roma's market so far has not been negative. Castro, Koulierakis and Molina are good signings. Rodrigo Mora is a player who has already done a lot. He is an important prospect, can be an important opportunity."

Pietro Mezzaroma, the construction magnate who briefly co-owned AS Roma in 1993, died on 4 August at the age of 91. Mezzaroma entered Roma's ownership on 2 June 1993 as part of a rescue effort to save the club after president Ciarrapico's arrest left the organisation in severe financial distress. Alongside Franco Sensi, he became part of a two-headed ownership structure, but the arrangement proved difficult to sustain given both men's commanding personalities. By November 1993—a span of only a few months—Mezzaroma stepped aside with characteristic dignity, allowing Sensi to take full control. "It is an act of responsibility," Mezzaroma said of his involvement, words that reflected his lifelong preference for action over rhetoric. Mezzaroma's life story embodied post-war Roman reconstruction. Starting as a carpenter alongside his father, he rose to become a major property developer whose company, Impreme (Imprese Mezzaroma), shaped the Capital's expansion across districts including Cinecittà, Torrino, San Basilio, and the EUR. He felt duty-bound to repay the city that had enabled his success as an entrepreneur. During his brief months at Roma, he applied the same meticulous attention to club affairs that had built his business, overseeing the youth academy where his son Massimo worked and where a young Francesco Totti was emerging. Though he departed Roma's ownership structure, he remained a devoted, if superstitious, supporter—so affected by Roma's 1984 European Cup final loss to Liverpool that he avoided attending matches thereafter, fearing he brought bad luck. He is survived by four children: Barbara, Valentina, Alessandra, and Massimo, who went on to lead Siena and AS Roma Volley.