Radio voices debate Castro deal as Roma close in on Bologna forward; Cristofori hits out at referee in friendly

Santiago Castro has arrived in Rome ahead of his move to AS Roma, with roughly 200 giallorossi supporters greeting the Argentine striker at Termini station. The 2004-born forward, who spent two and a half seasons at Bologna, is set to become Roma's first signing of the 2026–27 season barring any last-minute surprises. Roma will pay €30 million plus €3 million in add-ons to secure Castro's services. The transfer involves a player exchange: Artem Dovbyk is poised to move in the opposite direction and join Bologna. Castro will undergo medical examinations on the following day to complete the formalities of his switch to the Stadio Olimpico club.

Castro has arrived in Rome as the Giallorossi's first signing of the transfer window. The player was greeted by around 250 supporters at Termini station on Tuesday, where he will undergo medical examinations and sign his contract. Castro's arrival marks a significant addition to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as Roma continues its summer recruitment. The signing comes as the club also pursues other targets, including a wide player, while managing the ongoing transfer activity involving current squad members. The forward is set to complete the formalities with medical clearance and contract signature on Tuesday, officially becoming part of the Giallorossi roster.

Santiago Castro has completed his transfer to AS Roma from Bologna, arriving at Termini station on 27 July to a warm reception from more than 300 giallorossi fans. The Argentine forward joins on a permanent deal worth approximately €35 million including bonuses, with Artem Dovbyk moving in the opposite direction to Bologna on loan with a right of purchase. The transfer represents Roma's first significant addition of the summer window. Supporters gathered outside Termini station to greet Castro, chanting and displaying personalised shirts as the new arrival made his way through the crowd. The deal sees Dovbyk leave Rome temporarily as part of the arrangement, providing depth in attack for both clubs as they prepare for the new season.

Santiago Castro has arrived in Rome ahead of his move to AS Roma, with roughly 200 giallorossi supporters greeting the Argentine striker at Termini station. The 2004-born forward, who spent two and a half seasons at Bologna, is set to become Roma's first signing of the 2026–27 season barring any last-minute surprises. Roma will pay €30 million plus €3 million in add-ons to secure Castro's services. The transfer involves a player exchange: Artem Dovbyk is poised to move in the opposite direction and join Bologna. Castro will undergo medical examinations on the following day to complete the formalities of his switch to the Stadio Olimpico club.

Santiago Castro has completed his transfer to AS Roma from Bologna, arriving at Termini station on 27 July to a warm reception from more than 300 giallorossi fans. The Argentine forward joins on a permanent deal worth approximately €35 million including bonuses, with Artem Dovbyk moving in the opposite direction to Bologna on loan with a right of purchase. The transfer represents Roma's first significant addition of the summer window. Supporters gathered outside Termini station to greet Castro, chanting and displaying personalised shirts as the new arrival made his way through the crowd. The deal sees Dovbyk leave Rome temporarily as part of the arrangement, providing depth in attack for both clubs as they prepare for the new season.

Santiago Castro has arrived in Rome to complete his transfer to AS Roma from Bologna. The Argentine striker joins on a permanent deal worth approximately €35 million including bonuses, with Artem Dovbyk moving in the opposite direction to Bologna on loan with a right of redemption. Fans began gathering outside Termini station in the evening to welcome the new arrival. Castro becomes Roma's first summer signing under the Friedkin Group ownership. The 20-year-old forward is expected to bolster the attacking ranks as the club prepares for the 2025–26 campaign. His arrival signals the start of the summer transfer window activity for the Giallorossi, with Dovbyk's departure on loan creating space in the squad.

Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in a pre-season friendly under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a free-kick before Donyell Malen doubled the lead, but Roma were reduced to ten men when Wesley received a second yellow card. After the interval, Dybala added a second goal to make it 3-0, but Cannes mounted a comeback through Lopes, who scored twice including one from the penalty spot, and Oggad to level the match in the closing stages. This was Roma's third summer friendly and demonstrated both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability during the preparation period. The match showcased contributions from two key squad members in Dybala and Malen, though the late collapse and numerical disadvantage highlighted areas for improvement as Gasperini continues his pre-season work.

Roma surrendered a three-goal advantage to draw 3–3 with Cannes in a French pre-season friendly, with Paulo Dybala the standout performer despite the collapse. Playing in France with Ryan Friedkin watching from the stands, Roma built a commanding lead through Dybala's free-kick opener, an assist for Dybala to Donyell Malen, and a third goal from Dybala on the counter. The hosts proved vulnerable, however, conceding twenty shots and allowing Cannes to complete a dramatic comeback after Wesley's red card for two bookings at the end of the first half. Julien Lopez scored twice for Cannes and won a penalty converted by Oggad, the latter following an error from Artem Dovbyk. Gasperini's squad revealed significant fitness issues in the match. Roma are contending with injuries, last-minute fever cases, and the absence of seven outgoing players who have yet to be replaced on the transfer market, leaving the squad stretched and heavily dependent on Dybala's invention. The draw exposed defensive frailties and coordination problems that Gasperini will need to address. Roma's next preparation phase will take place at a training camp in Cardiff.

Roma drew 3–3 with Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Pierre de Coubertin stadium, Gian Piero Gasperini's third test match ahead of the squad's departure for a training camp in Wales. Paulo Dybala was the standout performer, opening the scoring with a free-kick before adding a second from a solo run on the right after the hour mark. Donyell Malen doubled Roma's advantage at 44 minutes, capitalizing on Dybala's pressure and an opponent's defensive error to give the Giallorossi a commanding 3–0 lead. The match was disrupted when Wesley received a red card for a second yellow in an unusual incident for a friendly, a dismissal that shifted the game's complexion. From the 69th minute onwards, Cannes mounted a comeback with a brace from Lopez and a penalty goal from Ogadd in the final second to equalize. Gasperini used the fixture to trial positional changes, frequently inverting Wesley and Devyne Rensch on the flanks alongside Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in attacking roles. The opening period at Pierre de Coubertin saw slow rhythms and French defensive organisation, though Roma grew increasingly dominant. Young players featured prominently, with mixed performances; Artem Dovbyk and Daniele Ghilardi made less convincing impacts. Ryan Friedkin watched from the stands.

Kostas Tsimikas has been named Liverpool captain for the first time, a striking turnaround after his disappointing spell at AS Roma. The left-back arrived in Rome last summer to bring experience from his years at Liverpool, but failed to establish himself on the flank despite Angeliño's absence. His time at the Stadio Olimpico was marked by poor performances, including a memorable poor free-kick attempt against Como and being substituted for Bryan Zaragoza. Roma supporters view the development with bitter irony—what promised to be a valuable acquisition under Gasperini became a complete failure. Tsimikas has now returned to Liverpool, where he has been warmly received by the club's supporters. Manager Arne Slot, who took over from predecessor Jurgen Slot, has confirmed the Greek defender in the squad for next season and appears committed to building around him. The contrast between Tsimikas's struggles in Serie A and his embrace at Anfield illustrates how drastically circumstances can differ for the same player at different clubs. His captaincy represents a significant show of faith from Liverpool's new management.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's friendly against Cannes. The goalkeeper contingent includes De Marzi, Gollini and Svilar, whilst the defence features Rensch, Angeliño, Ndicka, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Nardin, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield options are Cristante, Panico, Di Nunzio, Giammattei and Bah, with Dovbyk, Malen, Soulé, Dybala and Arena leading the attack. Roma have made an official bid to Club America for defender Israel Reyes, the Mexican defender born in 2000 and valued at approximately €8 million, according to journalist Gibran Araje. The contacts between the clubs are ongoing, and should the deal succeed, Reyes could become Roma's first summer signing. Simultaneously, Roma have been forced to abandon the pursuit of winger Said El Mala, the 2006-born talent who has rejected a move to the Giallorossi and prefers to continue his development in Germany, potentially waiting for a call from Borussia Dortmund or staying at Cologne. Manu Koné remains central to Gasperini's plans despite European interest following his World Cup success with France. Manchester United have cooled their approach to the midfielder, reportedly reflecting on a potential €60 million investment, though they have not entirely abandoned the pursuit.

Gian Piero Gasperini is closely monitoring Mandjou Camara, a 2009-born Guinean forward who made an impression in Roma's friendly against Trastevere. The match saw Roma field a largely youth-team lineup, with only Gollini, Ziółkowski, Ghilardi, Angeliño and Dovbyk from the senior squad on the pitch. While Arena scored, Camara stole the spotlight with several impressive moments despite not finding the net. During the second half, Gasperini's assistant Gritti positioned himself on the right flank to guide Camara's movements, calling out instructions such as "Drop back", "Shoot", and "Don't stay too deep". Camara is expected to join Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales, giving Gasperini further opportunity to assess his development. Camara arrived at Roma as the final signing from the youth academy oversight of Alberto De Rossi, who departed the club on 30 June after more than 32 years. Roma acquired him on a free transfer after he left SPAL. He began the season in the Under 17 category before being promoted to the Under 18 squad under Mattia Scala, who now coaches the Primavera. In thirty matches, Camara has registered eleven goals and nine assists. His one-on-one ability and dribbling have impressed Gasperini, who is working to facilitate his next step forward, though some technical refinement remains needed. Vinicius Junior is his inspiration.