Roma depart for France ahead of Cannes friendly

Roma have agreed a deal to sign Santiago Castro from Bologna after the Argentine forward gave his approval to the move two days ago following discussions with Gasperini. The transfer will be completed on a permanent basis for 30 million euros in fixed fees plus 5 million in performance bonuses, with Castro expected to arrive at Ciampino airport between this evening and tomorrow. Once he lands, the 2004-born attacker will join the squad for their departure to Wales, where the club's pre-season training camp continues its second phase. The move marks Roma's primary summer signing, contingent on final bureaucratic details being resolved. Gasperini, who worked with Castro at Atalanta, is keen to have the player at his disposal as soon as possible. Roma's director of sport D'Amico targeted completion of the formalities on 26 July to expedite Castro's integration into the squad. Discussions between the clubs had focused on bonus structures and sell-on percentage clauses to be added to Bologna's initial asking price of 35 million euros before the agreement was finalised. Castro will depart Italy alongside the rest of the Roma contingent heading to Wales for the continuation of summer preparations ahead of the new season.

Roma's subscription campaign is accelerating strongly, with over 38,000 season tickets sold during the renewal phase. From 15:00 tomorrow, supporters on the waiting list will have their chance to purchase, with approximately 2,000 subscriptions available for around 25,000 fans currently on the list. The club sent access codes by email on Thursday. Curva Sud is already sold out, and only a handful of seats remain in the Distinti sections. Roma will halt sales once the subscription total reaches 40,000 to ensure all remaining supporters can buy individual match tickets for home fixtures throughout the season. In August, the club will launch subscriptions for European competitions, covering the four Champions League group-stage matches and the Coppa Italia round of 16.

Neil El Aynaoui is taking a brief holiday in Cannes after his involvement in the World Cup with Morocco, with plans to rejoin Roma within days ahead of pre-season preparations. A photograph shared by a Roma supporter confirmed the midfielder's location in Cannes, where Roma are scheduled to play a friendly against the local side—also owned by the Friedkin Group—today. El Aynaoui will watch the fixture from the stands before returning to full training with his teammates in the coming days and joining them for their pre-season training camp in Wales. The midfielder's recovery period reflects Roma's management of players returning from international duty. Manu Koné is similarly expected to return to the squad soon, giving Gasperini a fuller midfield roster as the club prepares for the new campaign. Both players will complete their integration during the pre-season schedule that will culminate in the trip to Wales.