Roma eyes potential moves for Bologna players Castro, Ferguson, and Ghilardi

AC Milan has offered Portuguese winger Rafa Leão to Roma as the Serie A club seeks to move him on after seven seasons. Leão himself has confirmed his desire for a new challenge following the end of the season. Milan, now under the management of Amorim, is willing to let him leave but only on a loan deal with an obligation to buy set at €60 million. Roma's transfer focus this summer has centred on reshaping the attacking department, with several forwards under consideration. The Leão proposal represents a new option for the Giallorossi, though the deal presents significant financial hurdles. The combined costs of the loan arrangement and the mandatory purchase clause make the overall operation extremely challenging for Roma to complete, independent of the player's own willingness to join. Details remain unclear regarding Roma's interest level or negotiations at this stage. The club continues to monitor other attacking targets as well, with the transfer window expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical requirements are reportedly pushing midfielder Matías Soulé toward a potential departure from AS Roma. The arrival of the new coach has not altered Roma's offensive recruitment strategy, though his specific demands appear to have implications for the squad's structure. Details remain unclear regarding the exact nature of Gasperini's requirements and whether Soulé's exit is imminent or being actively pursued by the club.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has taken a direct role in efforts to bring Mason Greenwood to the club, with a telephone conversation between the two forming a key part of the recruitment push. Gasperini personally contacted Greenwood as part of Roma's mission to secure the forward's signature. The move represents Roma's continued ambition in the transfer market under new coaching leadership. Details of what Gasperini told Greenwood during the call remain unclear from available information.

Robinio Vaz, the French forward who joined Roma from Marseille in January for €25 million, faces an uncertain future at the club. His status remains suspended as Roma evaluates his position within the squad, with two potential paths emerging: a loan move to a club where he would play regularly, or remaining at Trigoria as a third-choice striker behind other attacking options. With Artem Dovbyk departing and Ferguson returning to Brighton, Roma is undertaking a significant restyling of its attacking department under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club plans to recruit forwards suited to Gasperini's tactical approach, including a reserve striker in addition to attacking midfielders. Vaz, born in 2007, showed modest progress during his first months but has gradually fallen to the periphery of the project. Roma's current assessment of the young forward remains suspended in judgment. If a suitable opportunity emerges where Vaz would be guaranteed substantial playing time, Roma may consider loaning him out. However, the alternative scenario—where he continues his development at the club's training ground as the third attacking option—remains equally possible. His future will likely depend on Roma's incoming signings and the young player's capacity to force his way back into Gasperini's plans.

AS Roma has fundamentally altered its approach to recruitment following the departure of former sporting director Massara and the appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach. Young prospects acquired for future development—including Robinio Vaz, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi, Venturino, and Ferguson—are now considered surplus to requirements. The club has signaled these players may depart, either permanently or on loan, as Gasperini prioritizes immediate-impact signings over long-term investments. Gasperini's vision emphasizes players ready to contribute immediately rather than prospects requiring development time. Ziolkowski, a Polish defender, has reportedly been rejected multiple times by the coach and could leave permanently, with Nottingham reportedly interested at a valuation of 20 million euros. Similarly, Vaz, a French forward, no longer fits the profile of a reliable backup to Donyell Malen. The club has also rejected Bosnian midfielder Alajebgovic (class 2007), whom Massara had long tracked, with Gasperini deeming him too inexperienced despite interest from Bayer Leverkusen at 35 million euros. Roma's new sporting director D'Amico is recalibrating the transfer strategy to align with Gasperini's demands for quality and readiness rather than raw potential. Targets like Mason Greenwood and Molina represent this shift—experienced international players capable of performing on Europe's biggest stages. With Roma now competing in the Champions League, the club believes there is no margin for experimental signings.

Head coach Gasperini has identified goal-scoring as Roma's key area for improvement heading into next season, despite finishing third in Serie A. The team struggled in attack until January, cycling through Dovbyk, Ferguson, and Baldanzi as false nines without consistent results. Since acquiring Donyell Malen, Gasperini wants to add more threat across the pitch, particularly in midfield and attacking areas. Matías Soulé, who scored 6 goals this season as Roma's second-leading marksman behind Malen, has emerged as a potential sacrifice in pursuit of that ambition. Gasperini believes Soulé lacks the killer instinct demanded in the penalty area, prompting Roma to target replacements with superior finishing records. Prospective targets include Mason Greenwood, Luis Summerville, Christian Pulisic, and Christopher Nkunku—all players accustomed to contributing goals regularly. Statistical comparison reveals Soulé ranked last among these candidates for expected goals (3.96 xG), well behind Greenwood (14.39), Nkunku (9.48), and Pulisic (8.07). The analysis also highlighted Soulé's excessive ball losses—averaging 12.0 per match compared to 3.6 for Nkunku and 7.6 for Pulisic—a pattern both Claudio Ranieri and Gasperini have previously emphasized as frustrating. Gasperini's ideal profile targets concrete, efficient attacking play with fewer unnecessary touches and fewer turnovers. For Roma to compete at Champions League level, the coaching staff prioritizes goals, intensity, and consistency in the final third of the pitch.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has outlined his transfer strategy for Roma's defence, prioritizing continuity over upheaval. The club finished the season with the second-best defence in Serie A, conceding just 31 goals. Gasperini intends to keep the core three—Gianluca Mancini, Hermoso, and Ndicka—as the foundation for next season's Champions League campaign. No departures of starting defenders are planned; instead, Roma will pursue targeted additions to strengthen depth and competition. Among the profiles under consideration are Ostigard from Genoa and Disasi from Chelsea. Ostigard, a Norwegian defender known for aerial prowess and physical dominance, is valued at approximately 8 million euros and appeals to Gasperini's tactical preferences. Disasi represents a more costly option; Chelsea is seeking 25 million euros, but Roma are exploring a loan arrangement. Young centre-back Ghilardi, who developed significantly during the season, is expected to remain and potentially become a key rotation option for European fixtures. Ziolkowski, conversely, remains available for transfer as a potential source of profit. Gasperini has consistently emphasized a measured reconstruction: strategic investments without excessive spending, signing players suited to his football philosophy and ready to compete. The coach aims to avoid complacency following third-place finish while building from defensive stability—a proven foundation in Serie A title races. Roma's return to the Champions League after seven years places added emphasis on tactical preparation and depth.

AS Roma has fundamentally altered its approach to recruitment following the departure of former sporting director Massara and the appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as head coach. Young prospects acquired for future development—including Robinio Vaz, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi, Venturino, and Ferguson—are now considered surplus to requirements. The club has signaled these players may depart, either permanently or on loan, as Gasperini prioritizes immediate-impact signings over long-term investments. Gasperini's vision emphasizes players ready to contribute immediately rather than prospects requiring development time. Ziolkowski, a Polish defender, has reportedly been rejected multiple times by the coach and could leave permanently, with Nottingham reportedly interested at a valuation of 20 million euros. Similarly, Vaz, a French forward, no longer fits the profile of a reliable backup to Donyell Malen. The club has also rejected Bosnian midfielder Alajebgovic (class 2007), whom Massara had long tracked, with Gasperini deeming him too inexperienced despite interest from Bayer Leverkusen at 35 million euros. Roma's new sporting director D'Amico is recalibrating the transfer strategy to align with Gasperini's demands for quality and readiness rather than raw potential. Targets like Mason Greenwood and Molina represent this shift—experienced international players capable of performing on Europe's biggest stages. With Roma now competing in the Champions League, the club believes there is no margin for experimental signings.

Roma's incoming sporting director Tony D'Amico will need to reinforce the defence alongside the planned attacking overhaul, with the club facing potential squad gaps depending on Ndicka's future. Although the attack is the primary focus—built around Malen and Dybala with Pellegrini in support—the defence will require significant investment. The backline was Roma's strongest asset under Gasperini's management this season, forming the foundation for Champions League qualification, but numerical reinforcement is essential. With Kumbulla set to return, Ziolkowski departing for game time, and Ndicka's status uncertain due to Financial Fair Play concerns, Roma would be left with only four senior centre-backs (Hermoso, Mancini, Ghilardi, and possibly Ndicka) for a demanding season requiring at least two players per position. That would leave two additional defenders short. Several targets have been identified. Oosterwolde is viewed as a promising profile but carries a price tag of €20–25 million, becoming viable mainly if Ndicka departs. Bologna's Lucumì, available on an expiring contract, is another option at roughly €20 million—far lower than Bologna's initial €28 million demand. Solet represents an ideal profile but costs at least €25 million and Inter are already advanced in negotiations. Muharemovic is ready to leave Sassuolo, though domestic competition is driving up his price. Gasperini has been clear that Roma needs experienced, quality defenders—both a high-level starter and a reliable backup.