Roma Build Squad for Champions-Level Challenge

Roma have intensified negotiations with Real Betis over the signing of Abde Ezzalzouli as Gian Piero Gasperini continues his search for a new attacking winger. The Moroccan winger, born in 2001, has emerged as one of the club's primary targets to reinforce the wide areas after the Roma hierarchy assessed several profiles in recent weeks. Quick, adept at one-on-one duels and capable of playing across both attacking flanks, Ezzalzouli possesses the characteristics Roma seek to add quality and unpredictability in the final third. The negotiations are not expected to be straightforward, however. Betis's financial demands are considered high by Roma, and the outcome of the deal will depend largely on the Spanish club's economic requirements. Despite those challenges, Roma remain committed to finding a solution and have no intention of abandoning the pursuit. D'Amico is working to identify the correct formula to bring the Moroccan to the capital without exceeding the budget set by the club. Ezzalzouli remains one of the hottest names on Roma's radar as the summer transfer window progresses.

Roma have revived their interest in Real Betis winger Ezzalzouli, who has emerged as a target on the club's transfer shortlist. The Giallorossi had pursued the player in previous transfer windows and remain keen, but a significant obstacle stands in their way: Betis are demanding €60 million for the winger, a fee that complicates any deal substantially. Roma will attempt to push forward with negotiations despite the high cost. Ezzalzouli sits behind Nusa on Roma's priority list for attacking reinforcements. Head coach Gasperini is keen to add a new attacking winger to his squad before Friday, when the team is scheduled to gather in Wales for a training camp. The timeline is tight, with hopes that a new arrival could be in place for the Welsh preparations.

Roma's transfer window has finally gained momentum. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who previously described the club as "a diesel engine", now expects another push following the first signing. Antonio Nusa remains the priority target, with a deadline of the weekend set for negotiations; the club will not wait beyond that point for the Argentine winger. Roma's sporting director D'Amico is already evaluating alternative profiles in case Nusa talks stall. Matías Soulé could move in the opposite direction. According to transfer expert Matteo Moretto, the Roma winger has been proposed to AC Milan, who are examining his profile with interest. The deal has not yet advanced to active negotiations, but the player appeals to Milan and fits the characteristics demanded by coach Amorim. Roma plan to depart for Wales on Friday to continue their pre-season training camp. Gasperini expects further activity soon, ideally before the Welsh camp begins, as the club looks to strengthen both attacking depth and defensive options ahead of the new season.

Roma have completed the Santiago Castro signing and will resume their search for a quick attacker, but Gabriel Martinelli and Marcus Rashford remain unrealistic targets despite recent speculation. The Giallorossi will spend €35M including add-ons on Castro. Artem Dovbyk is leaving on loan to Bologna with a €17M option to buy, where he will work with coach Giovanni Tedesco to revive his career. Both Martinelli and Rashford earn around €11M gross annually, significantly above Roma's top earners, a salary barrier that previously blocked Mason Greenwood's move to the Italian capital. Antonio Nusa currently leads Roma's shortlist, though RB Leipzig's advanced talks to sell Yan Diomande to Real Madrid could negatively impact those plans. Rashford's name arose during separate negotiations with Manchester United regarding midfielder Manu Koné, who spent a productive loan at Barcelona where he scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 appearances. Manchester United have shortlisted Koné but are not aggressively pursuing him at present. Roma's summer spending on a striker rather than a winger marks a tactical shift, with both Castro and Donyell Malen offering mobility. The club's interest in another forward may depend on whether Matías Soulé remains in the squad.

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings roundup highlights Paulo Dybala's perfectly struck free-kick against Cannes in a friendly, earning top marks for technical excellence regardless of the opposition's standard. Donyell Malen has returned from his recent World Cup commitments with renewed hunger for goals and prominence in Roma's attacking play, while Devyne Rensch is already showing signs of sharpness and remains underrated heading into official fixtures. Pierluigi Gollini's position as second-choice keeper warrants reflection from the club. Matías Soulé's fitness condition drew specific mention from Gasperini in a recent press conference, with Soulé appearing among those most behind pace during the Cannes match—though this observation carries no bearing on ongoing transfer considerations. Angeliño's search for match sharpness requires respectful patience rather than unsolicited commentary. The wider ratings reflect concerns about Italy's national team setup under new management, with political interference in sporting matters undermining both the sport itself and public confidence.

Radio Roma commentators have weighed in on the club's transfer strategy following its opening move, with widespread consensus that an attacking winger remains the urgent priority before the squad departs for Wales. Lorenzo Pes said: "The first market move is a bit late; now D'Amico's mission is to sign the winger before the trip to Wales. Beyond Nusa there are other profiles we don't know about; after Summerville, Roma is working behind the scenes, and they're trying to close a deal before Friday." Simone Valdarchi added that an attacking winger "will be a fundamental piece the club wants to cover," while Piero Torri expects both a full-back and an attacking winger to arrive within two weeks. Roberto Pruzzo praised Castro as "an excellent level player" but stressed that Roma must still complete its attacking setup. He noted: "Now you have Dybala, you have Soulé, you have Castro, you have Malen…you don't have physicality, but you have players who are at a very high level." Valdarchi also suggested that a departure may follow, naming Koné as a potential sale, and noted that Salah-Eddine is set to leave in the coming days. The consensus reflects a broader view that while Roma's squad possesses technical quality, the club must act swiftly to address gaps before competitive action begins.

Roma are pursuing a significant revamp of their defensive and attacking flanks following Santiago Castro's arrival. Sporting CP's Ivan Fresneda remains the priority target for the right-back position, with the Portuguese club valuing the Spanish defender at approximately €15 million. Roma are intensifying diplomatic contact to negotiate that fee downwards. Wesley is the first-choice right-back, with Devyne Rensch providing cover, though the club believes additional quality additions are necessary. Rafik Belghali remains a backup option but has not entirely convinced the coaching staff due to fitness concerns. On the left flank, a major restructure is underway. Anass Salah-Eddine is close to departing after failing to fit Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical requirements, with PSV Eindhoven preparing a return deal following his loan spell there last season. The player had preferred a Premier League move, but PSV are advancing towards completing the transfer. Angeliño's position is also uncertain. The Spanish defender has not fully convinced Gasperini during pre-season and Roma will consider offers for him. Deportivo La Coruña have registered interest, though no formal bids have yet reached the club.

Roma are overhauling their full-back options as head coach Gasperini reshapes the squad. Salah-Eddine is poised to leave, with PSV Eindhoven positioned to conclude a deal following his loan spell there last season, though the defender had preferred a Premier League move. Angeliño, the Spanish left-back, has not convinced Gasperini during pre-season and Roma are looking to sell him; Deportivo la Coruña have shown interest but no formal approach has arrived. On the right flank, Roma are targeting Sporting Lisbon's Fresneda at a cost of around €15 million, with the club working to reduce that valuation. Diego Moreira remains the dream signing for the left wing but Strasbourg's high demands are complicating that pursuit. Wesley remains the established starter with Devyne Rensch as cover, though Gasperini wants additional depth across the flank positions. Zeki Çelik, previously in that role, is no longer part of the plans. Roma are also monitoring Cacciamani of Torino, who has returned from his loan at Juve Stabia, though Belghali is also under consideration despite fitness concerns.

Mile Svilar addressed reporters following Roma's friendly against Cannes, firmly stating he had received no contact regarding reported Juventus interest. "Frankly I know nothing about this story. I cannot say anything, because I was not consulted. For me today there is only Roma and I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans," the goalkeeper said. Roma are in their pre-season preparation phase, with Svilar highlighting the intensity of the physical work underway. He felt the first half against Cannes went well but questioned the dismissal of Wesley, which forced Roma to play with a numerical disadvantage in a friendly fixture. Svilar stressed that results cannot yet be measured and that another month of work is needed before competitive matches begin. With Champions League football on the horizon alongside domestic duties, he acknowledged the challenge of the double commitment but expressed confidence in Roma's ability to manage it. Looking ahead to the season, Svilar declared: "Frankly? I do not fear anyone. I cannot wait to play real matches, whatever opponent we face." The goalkeeper's comments underline Roma's ambitions as they prepare for a campaign that will include Europe's premier club competition.

Matías Soulé has been proposed to AC Milan through intermediaries as Roma reshape their attacking department. The Argentine playboy, whose future at Trigoria remains uncertain amid the club's offensive restyling, could offer a solution for the Rossoneri. The proposal arrives at a critical moment in the summer window, with Roma eager to generate funds and unlock the incoming transfers demanded by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Milan has not yet responded officially to the possibility of opening talks. Roma's primary focus remains the right flank, where Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus on a free transfer has created a significant gap. The club's director of sport Tony D'Amico has identified Ivan Fresneda, a Spanish fullback born in 2004 currently at Sporting Lisbon, as the main target. However, Sporting's valuation of at least 25 million euros complicates negotiations, and Roma are weighing the economic sustainability of a potential deal. Elsewhere, Mile Svilar has ruled out any move away from Roma, telling Corriere dello Sport: "For me there has only ever been Roma, you should know that by now after my renewal. I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans. My heart is here." In a separate development, Claudio Ranieri has been named director and president of Club Italia alongside the return of Roberto Mancini as Italy head coach—a decision they made jointly with federation president Giovanni Malagò.

Roma are accelerating their pursuit of a new right-back after Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus on a free transfer. Sporting CP's Ivan Fresneda, a Spanish winger born in 2004, has emerged as the club's primary target, according to reports from Matteo Moretto. Sporting are holding firm on an initial valuation of 25 million euros for the young talent, and Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is currently assessing the financial viability of the move ahead of a potential bid in the coming days. The search for Fresneda underscores Roma's determination to reshape their right flank and bolster their attacking unit. Gasperini has made clear his desire for swift action in the transfer window, particularly as the squad prepares for their training camp in Wales. The head coach believes the recent arrival of Santiago Castro alone is insufficient to complete the squad, and he is pushing for decisive acceleration in recruitment timelines. D'Amico is weighing up both the cost and economic sustainability of pursuing Fresneda at Sporting's asking price. The club's emphasis on the right side comes as part of broader summer restructuring that extends beyond defensive needs.

Roma are actively searching for a replacement on the right flank following Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus on a free transfer. The leading target is Ivan Fresneda, the Spanish defender born in 2004 at Sporting CP. Director of sport D'Amico has identified Fresneda as a priority and is currently assessing the feasibility and costs of a deal. Sporting have set an initial valuation of €25 million, and while Roma are considering their options, the club may attempt a move in the coming days. Gasperini is pushing to accelerate business in the transfer market ahead of the pre-season training camp in Wales. The coach has flagged that the current squad lacks depth across multiple positions and cannot rely solely on recent signing Castro to address all the gaps. Roma's recruitment team is working across multiple departments to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season.