Roma pursue Cacciamani as Wesley's understudy; Torino demand €15m

Roma's pursuit of Givairo Read has collapsed after Feyenoord unexpectedly raised their demands during final-stage talks. Roma had offered approximately €28–29 million in total, including bonuses, moving closer to Feyenoord's initial €30 million valuation and exceeding rival offers from Nottingham Forest. After requesting a night to consider the proposal, Feyenoord shifted position dramatically, demanding €30 million plus bonuses to reach nearly €35 million—a move that reportedly frustrated Roma's hierarchy. The sudden escalation prompted Roma to immediately abandon the Read option and pivot to pursuing Molina instead. The breakdown underscores the volatility of late-stage transfer negotiations and the tactical positioning often deployed by selling clubs to maximize fees. Roma's swift decision to walk away suggests the club's preference for alternative targets over capitulating to what they viewed as unreasonable late demands.

Roma are on the verge of completing the permanent acquisition of right-back Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid. Head coach Gasperini is set to welcome the Argentine defender after the two clubs reached agreement on a fee of €13 million plus €4 million in bonuses, according to Sky Sport and Fabrizio Romano. Molina has already signalled his approval of the move, with only contractual details remaining to be finalised. Roma are working towards a deal worth €2.8 million annually—the same salary Molina earned at Madrid but with a longer contract duration. The transfer is expected to be completed between today and tomorrow, barring any unforeseen complications.

Roma have completed two official signings — Castro and Koulierakis — with Molina approaching a deal, but Gian Piero Gasperini is growing increasingly puzzled by the lack of further arrivals as the club aims to compete on three fronts including the Champions League. The Friedkin Group's ownership presence in the stands during recent activity has offered little reassurance; behind cautious public statements, Gasperini's frustration is mounting as days pass without new players arriving. The stall in the market is already affecting Gasperini's preparation. Roma's second consecutive friendly displayed the problem plainly: for lack of reinforcements, the coach deployed a trequartista behind two strikers, a formation born more of necessity than choice. The side struggled against Newport County, the twentieth-placed side in last season's League Two (English fourth tier), before winning 4–1 with goals from Hermoso, Castro (penalty), Koulierakis and Soulé; Newport scored through Kyle. Only the defence is genuinely complete in squad depth. Every other area remains in flux, leaving Gasperini unable to finalize his tactical setup or implement meaningful summer rotations without disrupting the team's balance.

Roma have tabled an official offer of €17 million to Atlético Madrid for left-back Molina after growing frustrated with Feyenoord's stance over winger Read. The Dutch club have refused to budge from their €30 million valuation for the 20-year-old, prompting Roma to escalate their interest in the Atlético player. Roma had previously increased their bid for Read from €22 million plus €3 million in add-ons to €25 million plus €3 million, but Feyenoord showed no willingness to negotiate. Roma's approach for Molina comes as a €17 million package inclusive of bonuses, structured as a loan with an obligation to buy. However, the deal faces multiple obstacles. Atlético Madrid are holding firm at €20 million guaranteed, and Molina himself is understood to be seeking wages exceeding €3 million annually—a figure Roma consider excessive, given that Donyell Malen earns €3.2 million. The left-back's contract was recently extended unilaterally to 2028. Full-back recruitment remains a pressing concern for Roma, who are short four defenders across the flanks and midfield. Wesley's replacement as right-back backup and two left-sided options in attack have yet to be secured. Cacciamani is being tracked as a potential understudy to Wesley, with Torino asking around €12 million after rejecting Roma's initial offer of €8 million plus €2 million.

Roma secured a 4–1 friendly victory over Newport County at Rodney Parade under Gian Piero Gasperini, with goals from Hermoso, Castro (penalty), Koulierakis and Soulé. The Welsh club, preparing for their EFL Cup first round against Wimbledon in a week, provided determined opposition, but Roma's control improved on their previous outing against Cardiff City. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 37th minute after a slick passing move, latching on to Castro's lay-off and firing past Wright. Castro then converted from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Hermoso was brought down by Cameron, marking the Argentine's first goal in a Roma shirt. Koulierakis headed the third three minutes later from Dybala's assist—also his first for the club—before Soulé curled in the fourth from the edge of the box at the 80th minute. Donyell Malen remained at the club's base in Hensol with a fever, while Wesley returned from an ankle problem. A late goal from Cameron provided consolation. Roma's next fixture is a final pre-season test in Britain on Saturday at Brighton.

Mario Hermoso put Roma ahead in the 38th minute during their second pre-season friendly in Wales against Newport County at Rodney Parade. Bryan Cristante recovered possession to launch the move, then found Hermoso with the help of a deflection off Castro, with the Spanish defender finishing from close range to settle the opening period at 1–0. Gasperini's side began slowly but grew into the match. Mile Svilar made a vital save in the 14th minute to deny Doidge after the Newport forward was left unmarked, while Paulo Dybala and Castro posed occasional threats in attack. Newport threatened early through Biggins, whose long-range effort struck the crossbar in the 4th minute, but Roma's defence gradually tightened. The friendly served as a fitness-building exercise during the Wales training camp. Donyell Malen was absent through fever. Gasperini made a tactical adjustment in the 36th minute, switching Wesley to the right flank and Devyne Rensch to the left. Jenkins received a booking for Newport in the 40th minute. The match was officiated by Martin, with Tweson-Morris and Hooper as assistants.