Roma Complete Wolfsburg Defender Signing, Launch Bid for Feyenoord Winger

Greek centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis is poised to become AS Roma's second reinforcement for the 2026–27 season. The 22-year-old defender, born in La Canea on Crete, has established himself as a cornerstone of Wolfsburg's defence in the Bundesliga after the club paid approximately €12 million to secure him from PAOK Thessaloniki in summer 2024. He made his PAOK senior debut on 20 August 2022 and earned his Greece international cap within three months. Koulierakis stands 1.88 metres tall and weighs around 78 kg, combining physical presence with explosive pace over short distances—a crucial asset for modern defending. Despite five managerial changes across two seasons at Wolfsburg, he has become a mainstay in their backline, demonstrating strong leadership qualities. His left foot is a standout technical asset; he is capable of constructing play from the back with both short passes and long distribution, reminiscent of a midfielder's range. He has performed as a left-side centre-back in three-defender setups and as a left-centre defender in four-man defences. Koulierakis excels in the air both defensively and offensively. In his debut Bundesliga campaign he recorded no goals, but last season he netted four headers—a tally matched only by Gianluca Mancini among defenders in Europe's top five leagues, where only Virgil van Dijk surpassed him with five. Koulierakis will turn 23 on 28 November.

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 radio commentators have outlined the club's remaining transfer priorities, with consensus that an important player departure is necessary before the window closes. Pes stated: "It seems difficult for Roma to close the market without an important sale. The focus now is on arrivals, but offers need to come in to move players out: so far nothing has arrived for either Koné or Soulé." Roma have already spent 35 million euros on Castro and 15 million on new Greek defender Koulierakis, who will join the squad after administrative procedures are completed. Torri reported that Milan could be interested in Soulé, with a potential swap involving Saelemaekers; Roma have reportedly sought a profile matching Saelemaekers' type. Earlier, Roma had reached an offer of 50 million euros for Summerville, though that figure would push total outlay toward 100 million when combined with recent signings. Pruzzo suggested there is only a 10 per cent chance of Nusa joining Roma, as negotiations have dragged on and the player has market options elsewhere. Castro is expected to feature immediately, with Gasperini likely to deploy two forwards against four-back defences.

Juventus have entered talks to sign Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi, reportedly willing to offer Federico Gatti as a makeweight in negotiations. The move comes as Roma prepare to bring in Konstantinos Koulierakis to strengthen their defence, a signing that could push either Ziółkowski or Ghilardi away from the Stadio Olimpico. Ghilardi's maiden season in giallorossi colours was inconsistent, beginning with a subdued spell before improving in the second half of the campaign. However, he remained a secondary option in Gian Piero Gasperini's rotation, with the trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso forming the defensive core that proved decisive in securing Champions League qualification. The 2003-born centre-back's exit would free space in Gasperini's squad as Koulierakis arrives to bolster the backline.

Roma's transfer window has shifted into high gear. An official double announcement confirming the exchange of Santiago Castro and Artem Dovbyk with Bologna is expected imminently. Director of football Tony D'Amico is close to securing Konstantinos Koulierakis, the left-footed centre-back from Wolfsburg born in 2003, who has already given his full approval. An agreement with the German club is being finalised for a fee near €15 million. Koulierakis will expand Roma's central defensive options alongside Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Jan Ziółkowski pushing for a departure. In defence and the wide areas, Ivan Fresneda (Sporting Lisbon asking €20 million) and Gabriele Cacciamani, the 19-year-old Torino prospect who impressed on loan at Juve Stabia, remain under consideration at €15 million. In attack, Abde Ezzalzouli has returned to the agenda alongside Jean-Mattéo Bahoya. Real Betis are demanding €45 million, while Roma are targeting a reduction to €35 million. On outgoings, Riccardo Pagano's move to Cesena has been confirmed with a sell-on clause retained by Roma. Anass Salah-Eddine's transfer to Olympiacos for €7.5 million is closing, and Angeliño has joined Deportivo La Coruña on loan with a €3 million purchase option.

AS Roma have identified Matías Soulé as their primary candidate for a significant departure before the end of the month, with the transfer designed to generate funds for Financial Fair Play compliance and strengthen other areas of the squad. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly raised tactical and physical concerns about the Argentine winger, preferring a wider player with greater guarantee in the final third and more durability, given Soulé's recent pubic bone issues. The club sees his departure as essential to safeguard key players Evan N'Dicka and Manu Koné, who Gasperini views as non-negotiable. With a residual book value of €15.5 million, a sale in the region of €35 million would deliver a profit of between €20 and €21 million, providing crucial breathing room against UEFA Financial Fair Play rules following the €35 million acquisition of Santiago Castro. Agent Martin Guastadisegno has reportedly sounded out Premier League clubs Sunderland and Fulham, while AC Milan has also received a formal proposal. Juventus are entitled to 10 per cent of any profit above the original €25.6 million purchase price.

Roma are on the verge of completing their third summer signing with the arrival of Konstantinos Koulierakis, a left-sided defender from Wolfsburg, for approximately 18 million euros including bonuses. The 22-year-old Greek defender was a priority target for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to strengthen the backline, where he can alternate with Hermoso or operate centrally. The move opens the door to potential departures for Ghilardi and Ziółkowski should suitable offers arrive. Director Tony D'Amico is simultaneously pushing hard to reinforce the flanks. The club have tabled a 25 million euro offer for Givairo Read, a young Dutch winger from Feyenoord, to beat competition from Nottingham Forest on the right wing, though Fresneda remains an alternative. Torino have proven inflexible over Cacciamani. On the attacking front, the pursuit of Abde Ezzalzouli from Real Betis has cooled due to distance in negotiations, while Antonio Nusa is being monitored. Loan options from Real Madrid including Endrick are under consideration, with higher-cost profiles such as Schade and El Mala also on the radar as backups.

Santiago Castro completed his first training session with Roma on Tuesday at Trigoria before the squad departs for Wales. The Argentine, officially confirmed as the club's opening signing of the transfer window, was immediately integrated into group work by Gasperini, who used a game of tag to settle the newcomer in. The activity involved the entire squad and Castro adapted quickly, with teammates responding positively to his arrival. Hermoso marked Castro's debut with a characteristically robust challenge during a small-sided match, sending a clear message about Roma's work ethic and competitive standards. The physical reception underscored the club's culture: players joke and train together, but no quarter is given on the pitch. Roma's training camp moves to Wales later this week for the second phase of pre-season, where temperatures will be far more moderate than the 40-degree heat currently gripping the capital.

Santiago Castro has joined Roma from Bologna on a permanent transfer for €35 million, with the Argentine striker expressing his eagerness to contribute under Gian Piero Gasperini. Castro told Roma's official channels: "It was a short negotiation, I wanted to come from the first moment. I spoke with the sporting director, they told me what they expect from me, I felt the confidence and I know what I can do to help the squad. Since I heard from them I chose straight away to come here." On Gasperini, he added: "I like him. He does very well in Italy for years, I'm here to give a hand, I can do what he wants." Roma have swiftly moved to strengthen their defence with the signing of Konstantinos Koulierakis, a 2003-born centre-back from Wolfsburg, on a permanent deal worth approximately €15 million. The left-footed Greek defender will undergo medical tests and sign his contract in the coming days, competing with Hermoso for the left-centre role in Gasperini's three-man defence. Meanwhile, Angeliño departs on loan to Deportivo La Coruña with a €2 million buyout clause, returning to the Spanish club where he developed through the youth system. Roma have tabled an official €25 million offer to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, with sporting director Tony D'Amico opening direct negotiations to find a resolution. Nottingham Forest remain interested but have had two bids rejected. The coming days are expected to be decisive in the pursuit of a replacement for Çelik on the right flank.

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.

Santiago Castro has joined Roma from Bologna on a permanent transfer for €35 million, with the Argentine striker expressing his eagerness to contribute under Gian Piero Gasperini. Castro told Roma's official channels: "It was a short negotiation, I wanted to come from the first moment. I spoke with the sporting director, they told me what they expect from me, I felt the confidence and I know what I can do to help the squad. Since I heard from them I chose straight away to come here." On Gasperini, he added: "I like him. He does very well in Italy for years, I'm here to give a hand, I can do what he wants." Roma have swiftly moved to strengthen their defence with the signing of Konstantinos Koulierakis, a 2003-born centre-back from Wolfsburg, on a permanent deal worth approximately €15 million. The left-footed Greek defender will undergo medical tests and sign his contract in the coming days, competing with Hermoso for the left-centre role in Gasperini's three-man defence. Meanwhile, Angeliño departs on loan to Deportivo La Coruña with a €2 million buyout clause, returning to the Spanish club where he developed through the youth system. Roma have tabled an official €25 million offer to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, with sporting director Tony D'Amico opening direct negotiations to find a resolution. Nottingham Forest remain interested but have had two bids rejected. The coming days are expected to be decisive in the pursuit of a replacement for Çelik on the right flank.

Roma will spend the second phase of their pre-season at the WRU National Centre of Excellence in Hensol, Wales, roughly 20 kilometres from Cardiff. The squad arrives tomorrow at 18:35 (local time) and will train there until 7 August at the facility, which opened in 1992 and underwent a €4 million upgrade in 2009. The centre is the country's most important sports complex, featuring seven football and rugby pitches plus two 18-hole golf courses, set within extensive grounds. Players will stay at Vale Resort, a 4-star hotel with 143 bedrooms offering table tennis, spa, pools and a gym. The historic Hensol Castle nearby houses weddings and one of the country's oldest distilleries with gin and rum schools. This is Roma's third consecutive pre-season trip to the United Kingdom. Three friendly matches are scheduled: Cardiff (1 August) and Newport (4 August) in Wales, then Brighton (8 August) in England. Training resumes the day after the Cardiff match with recovery work in the gym followed by field sessions. Double sessions run Monday and Thursday; the squad will also train on the morning of the Newport fixture. The squad departs for Brighton on 7 August afternoon. New arrival Castro, who has chosen the number 9 shirt, will be present; fellow new signing Koulierakis, a Greek defender, is expected to arrive tomorrow for medical tests and contract signing. Angeliño and Salah-Eddine will not attend: the Spaniard completes his final training today before moving to Deportivo la Coruña, while the Moroccan heads to Olympiacos.