Rensch: Another Dutch player would be great for us

Roma midfielder Muhammed Bah has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after being forced from the field on a stretcher in the 29th minute against Cardiff City. The club will proceed with surgery in the coming days, with recovery estimated at approximately nine months. The injury represents a significant blow to Roma's midfield depth as the 2026–27 season approaches. Bah will undergo the surgical procedure under the care of Dr Ahlbäumer, with the lengthy rehabilitation timeline ruling him out for the majority of the coming campaign.

Niccolò Pisilli spoke from the club's training camp in Wales about his recovery and prospects at Roma. The midfielder said he is working to return to full fitness and expects to be available within a week. Pisilli reflected on his time at the club since January, noting that tactical philosophy matters more than specific formation or role. "The important thing is ideas, not the system or specific role," he said. "What matters is that I play and do so in the best way possible. On the pitch there are concepts and ideas from the coaches that make the difference. You can play ten metres forward but be freer to push, or start a bit deeper and attack the goal often." Pisilli also spoke positively about his agent's handling of his career decisions. He joined Roma in January after a period in which he had played little and struggled to establish himself elsewhere. He praised his agent for giving him freedom on his choices without pressure. "My agent works for me and managed everything perfectly," he said. "He never put pressure on me or told me what to do; he always left me very free on decisions. Obviously we discussed the right moves, because I arrived in January having played quite little at a moment when it seemed I couldn't carve out my space." He added that the January move proved beneficial for both him and the club. Pisilli also expressed that competing in the Champions League with Roma remains a dream for him.

Devyne Rensch has praised head coach Gasperini in an exclusive interview from Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales, highlighting the coach's impact on both his development as a player and his mindset. Rensch said: "Yes, certainly he is a coach who brings a lot of energy, mentality, a lot of tactical work for everyone and also for me. He is a coach who is helping me become a better footballer but also a better person. He motivates you, he always pushes you to exceed your limits and as a consequence to beat your opponent. It is clear that he is a very demanding coach, who makes you work hard, but he is very good both on and off the pitch in caring for all aspects of the player and the person." Rensch also addressed the prospect of Dutch midfielder Givairo Read joining Roma. He has not yet met Read in person but has watched him play, and expressed enthusiasm about a potential arrival. "No, I have only seen him play. He would be the third Dutch footballer in the squad besides me and Malen, so it would be nice if his arrival materialised and we could also help him integrate and settle in as best and as quickly as possible," Rensch said. When asked about his own recent contribution, including a goal against Parma during Roma's Champions League campaign, Rensch reflected on the importance of looking ahead: "It was very nice to score such an important goal for the team. But in the end this is the past, now we must move forward and focus on what is in front of us, because now we must work even more and even harder to be competitive in the league, Coppa Italia and Champions League. We must look ahead."

Devyne Rensch has praised head coach Gasperini in an exclusive interview from Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales, highlighting the coach's impact on both his development as a player and his mindset. Rensch said: "Yes, certainly he is a coach who brings a lot of energy, mentality, a lot of tactical work for everyone and also for me. He is a coach who is helping me become a better footballer but also a better person. He motivates you, he always pushes you to exceed your limits and as a consequence to beat your opponent. It is clear that he is a very demanding coach, who makes you work hard, but he is very good both on and off the pitch in caring for all aspects of the player and the person." Rensch also addressed the prospect of Dutch midfielder Givairo Read joining Roma. He has not yet met Read in person but has watched him play, and expressed enthusiasm about a potential arrival. "No, I have only seen him play. He would be the third Dutch footballer in the squad besides me and Malen, so it would be nice if his arrival materialised and we could also help him integrate and settle in as best and as quickly as possible," Rensch said. When asked about his own recent contribution, including a goal against Parma during Roma's Champions League campaign, Rensch reflected on the importance of looking ahead: "It was very nice to score such an important goal for the team. But in the end this is the past, now we must move forward and focus on what is in front of us, because now we must work even more and even harder to be competitive in the league, Coppa Italia and Champions League. We must look ahead."

Roma players Mile Svilar, Gianluca Mancini, Devyne Rensch and new signing Koulierakis spent time with supporters in Wales following the squad's first training session of the day on 3 August. The interaction with fans came during Roma's pre-season preparations, with the group engaging in the customary meet-and-greet activities that characterise the build-up to a new campaign. The presence of Koulierakis, who joined as a new acquisition ahead of the 2026–27 season, marked another step in Roma's summer transfer activity as the squad continues its conditioning work away from the Stadio Olimpico.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed sporting director Tony D'Amico to secure immediate signings in attack and on the flanks following Roma's defeat to Cardiff, though financial constraints threaten to complicate a broad overhaul. The telephone conversation between Gasperini and D'Amico underscored the need to complete the squad rapidly, with targets identified including Endrick, Read, and Antonio Nusa. However, the cost of these profiles conflicts with the club's financial reality, making large-scale investment difficult without significant sales such as Matías Soulé. Roma's wing options have deteriorated after Wesley suffered an ankle injury and Zeki Çelik departed unexpectedly, leaving the right flank to Devyne Rensch alone. D'Amico is accelerating contact for Givairo Read of Feyenoord to fill the gap and meet Gasperini's demands. An agreement with the player has already been reached, and Roma is prepared to offer up to 30 million euros to overcome the Dutch club's resistance.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed sporting director Tony D'Amico to secure immediate signings in attack and on the flanks following Roma's defeat to Cardiff, though financial constraints threaten to complicate a broad overhaul. The telephone conversation between Gasperini and D'Amico underscored the need to complete the squad rapidly, with targets identified including Endrick, Read, and Antonio Nusa. However, the cost of these profiles conflicts with the club's financial reality, making large-scale investment difficult without significant sales such as Matías Soulé. Roma's wing options have deteriorated after Wesley suffered an ankle injury and Zeki Çelik departed unexpectedly, leaving the right flank to Devyne Rensch alone. D'Amico is accelerating contact for Givairo Read of Feyenoord to fill the gap and meet Gasperini's demands. An agreement with the player has already been reached, and Roma is prepared to offer up to 30 million euros to overcome the Dutch club's resistance.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a crucial transfer meeting with Roma sporting director D'Amico and owner Ryan Friedkin today before the team's departure for Wales. The summit will focus on finalising the club's market strategy for the remainder of the season as Gasperini, the club's new head coach, continues to push for reinforcements to mount a Champions League challenge. Left-wing remains Roma's priority, with RB Leipzig's Nusa staying at the top of the target list. Gasperini will have the opportunity to reiterate this directly to the board. The departures of Angeliño and Çelik have left gaps in the full-back department that require urgent attention. Read is being considered as a hot prospect to address those needs, with Roma having already tabled an offer to Feyenoord. The Dutch club's approval is now required for any deal to progress. Gasperini has already secured initial signings including Castro and Koulierakis, but the technical staff believes further investment is essential for a competitive campaign. All parties are emphasising the need to row in the same direction as Roma builds its new project under the new coaching regime.

Roma have tabled a €25 million bid to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, hoping to conclude negotiations in the coming days. The offer represents a significant step up from Zeki Çelik's position at the club. Feyenoord remain reluctant to sell, preferring to keep the 20-year-old for another season before potentially commanding a higher fee. Nottingham Forest have also entered the race, offering €19 million plus €2 million in bonuses, a move Roma were aware of before raising their bid. Read has already agreed personal terms with Forest on a five-year contract worth €20 million plus bonuses, which prompted him to push for a departure from the Eredivisie club. Should Roma succeed in persuading Feyenoord to sell, they will need to offer Read a substantial salary of approximately €4 million per year to compete with the English offer. Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is attempting to convince the player to stay, and is considering offering him the captain's armband despite his youth. Read arrived at Feyenoord on a free transfer from Volendam in 2023. Roma's pursuit underscores their determination to strengthen the right-back position, with the club prepared to commit significant resources both in transfer fee and wages to secure the Netherlands-based prospect.

Devyne Rensch has praised head coach Gasperini in an exclusive interview from Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales, highlighting the coach's impact on both his development as a player and his mindset. Rensch said: "Yes, certainly he is a coach who brings a lot of energy, mentality, a lot of tactical work for everyone and also for me. He is a coach who is helping me become a better footballer but also a better person. He motivates you, he always pushes you to exceed your limits and as a consequence to beat your opponent. It is clear that he is a very demanding coach, who makes you work hard, but he is very good both on and off the pitch in caring for all aspects of the player and the person." Rensch also addressed the prospect of Dutch midfielder Givairo Read joining Roma. He has not yet met Read in person but has watched him play, and expressed enthusiasm about a potential arrival. "No, I have only seen him play. He would be the third Dutch footballer in the squad besides me and Malen, so it would be nice if his arrival materialised and we could also help him integrate and settle in as best and as quickly as possible," Rensch said. When asked about his own recent contribution, including a goal against Parma during Roma's Champions League campaign, Rensch reflected on the importance of looking ahead: "It was very nice to score such an important goal for the team. But in the end this is the past, now we must move forward and focus on what is in front of us, because now we must work even more and even harder to be competitive in the league, Coppa Italia and Champions League. We must look ahead."

Roma have identified Real Madrid forwards Endrick and Franco Mastantuono as targets to bolster their frontline, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini requesting two additional forwards despite the recent arrival of Santiago Castro. According to Alfredo Pedullà, the Giallorossi have been monitoring the Brazilian Endrick for a month but are unlikely to move quickly, preferring first to address the left wing with Antonio Nusa or alternatives before pursuing the other option. The ongoing situation with Matías Soulé, who has been available for sale throughout the summer but remains with the club, also influences the club's timing. Roma are competing with Fiorentina for Mastantuono, while Endrick has interest from overseas suitors. Both players could arrive on loan or via a similar arrangement to Nico Paz's deal. Mastantuono carries a €45–50M price tag. Roma harbour tactical reservations about Endrick, the 20-year-old, who is neither a pure winger nor number 10 and performs best as a false nine—characteristics broadly comparable to Donyell Malen and Castro, though he could be further developed. Last season at Olympique Lyonnais, he recorded 8 goals and 8 assists across 21 fixtures. The club recognises that a loan formula could provide an opening for a permanent deal later, though such arrangements risk developing talent that benefits another club.

Roma radio pundits debated the club's transfer priorities and recent training-ground incidents after an unconvincing pre-season display. Wesley did not train today after suffering an ankle sprain in a challenge with Cardiff; he left the field as a precaution. During the session, Dybala, Castro, Soulé and Wesley trained together before Cristante and Mancini arrived and resolved a disagreement between them. Gasperini has made clear he expects further reinforcements beyond the squad's current strength. While Read's arrival is imminent, the head coach has flagged the left-back position as a priority and wants four additional players in total. Pundits downplayed the on-field tensions as routine rather than symptomatic of deeper discord. Roberto Pruzzo noted that if Soulé raises his level, "it's easier for the others," and highlighted the need for attacking full-backs to support the forward options. He suggested Castro and Malen could complement each other. Torri criticised Roma's commercial execution, questioning why Koné—despite his quality—has attracted no concrete offers while other clubs command higher valuations. "The problem of player sales is there," he said. He also expressed scepticism about Read's rumoured €30 million cost and continued to track Lyon's Fofana as an alternative target, though the Nusa negotiation remains open. Torri added: "I find it incomprehensible that there are no offers for Koné."