Rayo Vallecano target Kumbulla as Roma seek exits

Riccardo Pagano is poised to leave AS Roma for the second time, signing with Cesena on a three-year contract. The midfielder arrived in the city today and will undergo medical examinations tomorrow before completing the move, following a season on loan at Bari. Pagano made seven appearances for Roma during the 2023–24 season under José Mourinho, who gave him his debut on 20 August 2023 against Salernitana. The 23-year-old's spell in the Giallorossi shirt proved brief, and he was loaned out before now securing a permanent switch to the Serie B side.

Roma are competing with multiple Premier League clubs for Paris Saint-Germain's Ibrahim Mbaye as they continue their search for an attacking winger. The 2008-born Senegalese talent has been tracked by the Giallorossi for several days, but competition has escalated sharply. Aston Villa already made an approach but were firmly rejected. According to TeamTalk, Mbaye's agents are actively testing the Premier League market, proposing the youngster to both Liverpool and Manchester City. Both clubs are assessing his profile, though he does not appear to be a priority for either side at present. Liverpool, following Mohamed Salah's departure, continue to explore PSG options but have identified Bradley Barcola as their main target to strengthen their attacking department. Manchester City are similarly evaluating rather than pursuing the teenager with urgency. Roma's interest in Mbaye reflects their ongoing strategy to reinforce the wide areas, but the North West England clubs' involvement suggests the race for his signature will be competitive in the coming window.

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.

Artem Dovbyk has agreed to join Bologna on loan with a purchase option reportedly worth around 20 million euros, bringing an end to his Roma career after two seasons. The Ukrainian striker accepted the move following talks with Bologna head coach Tedesco. Roma will contribute part of his 3.5 million euro salary, while Dovbyk has also taken a financial cut to secure regular playing time. The deal marks a significant turnover in Roma's attack, with the club signing Santiago Castro as Dovbyk's replacement. Dovbyk arrived at Roma two years ago for 35 million euros but failed to establish himself under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Over 63 appearances for the club, he scored 20 goals. His departure comes after a year in which Roma actively sought buyers for the striker, though he remained a focal point of the attack. Genoa and Villarreal had also shown interest in signing him before Bologna moved decisively. A full evaluation of the loan will take place at the end of the season to determine whether Bologna will exercise their purchase option. The move allows both clubs to reshape their attacking options, with Roma freeing up resources and wages while Dovbyk gets an opportunity to rediscover his best form in Serie A.

Roma are on the brink of securing Santiago Castro from Bologna as Gian Piero Gasperini's first attacking reinforcement. The deal is structured at approximately 30 million euros plus 5 million in bonuses, totalling 35 million euros. The Argentine striker has agreed to join on a contract worth 2 million euros per season plus bonuses, with Tony D'Amico finalising payment terms and resale percentages. Parallel negotiations with Bologna extend to Artem Dovbyk's future. The Ukrainian forward has opened to a move to the Emilia-Romagna club after speaking directly with Bologna manager Domenico Tedesco. Roma and Bologna are currently working to finalise the loan formula, with Roma pushing for an obligation to buy and Bologna preferring a right to buy. Both clubs aim to complete the arrangement before the squad departs for pre-season training in Wales.

Paulo Dybala illuminated Roma's pre-season friendly against Cannes in France, but the 3–3 draw starkly exposed the club's dependency on the Argentine midfielder. Dybala opened the scoring with a masterful free-kick and produced a string of high-class moments before leaving the pitch; Roma then collapsed completely, conceding three unanswered goals to the newly promoted third-tier hosts and surrendering a late equaliser from a penalty carelessly conceded by Artem Dovbyk in stoppage time. With the transfer window still sluggish, the medical room full, contract renewals stalled, and painful departures including Zeki Çelik's move to Juventus, Dybala has become Roma's essential lifeline—both on the field and as a symbolic figure for the club. His significance was underscored during Roma's centenary celebrations on the night of 21–22 July, when he embraced ten thousand supporters gathered at via degli Uffici del Vicario. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini prioritised keeping Dybala, a decision that protects the club from both technical and emotional impoverishment and confirms the star as the anchor holding the entire project together.