Roma pursue Wolfsburg defender Koulierakis

Roma are on the verge of signing Greek central defender Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg for approximately 15 million euros on a permanent deal. The 25-year-old, who played in the Bundesliga last season, will arrive as cover for Mario Hermoso, one of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's key targets in the transfer market. Koulierakis began his career at Paok Salonicco before joining Wolfsburg last summer for around 12 million euros. A left-footed defender standing 1.88 metres tall, he impressed quickly at Paok in the 2022–23 season and earned recognition from the Greek national team, for whom he has made 22 appearances since his first call-up in 2022. Inter enquired about him in January, while Juventus tracked him previously. His defensive strengths include anticipation and aerial play. Koulierakis featured in a friendly against Greece in June and has already established himself as a regular in the national setup. The move to Rome will add depth to Gasperini's backline as the club strengthens its defensive options ahead of the new season.

Santiago Castro has chosen to wear the number 9 shirt at Roma, a symbolic decision that reflects the Argentine striker's ambition and willingness to shoulder the responsibility of a jersey historically reserved for the club's greatest centre-forwards. The 2004-born forward will have his nameplate read "S. CASTRO" on the back of his shirt, completing the personalisation details ahead of the official announcement of his transfer. Castro's selection of the number 9 underlines his character and leadership qualities as he prepares for his new chapter at the Stadio Olimpico under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The choice carries significant weight in Roma's history, as the shirt has been donned by many of the club's most celebrated strikers. With both the number and nameplate confirmed, Roma's official store is ready to begin custom shirt orders for supporters. The transfer details remain to be formally confirmed by the club, though the personalisation choices suggest the deal is progressing toward completion.

Santiago Castro has arrived at Roma as the summer's first signing, with the class of 2004 striker set to partner or rotate with Donyell Malen as Gasperini builds attacking depth for a season that includes Champions League football. Castro was welcomed by supporters at Termini Station two days before his official presentation; his role will not be secondary, as the dual-striker system has been a recurring theme throughout Gasperini's tenure at Atalanta. Gasperini's track record shows a consistent preference for rotating or pairing two attacking players. At Atalanta, he deployed Petagna and Cornelius (2017–18, 6 goals each) before signing Duvan Zapata from Sampdoria for 26 million euros total and adopting a 3-4-1-2 formation with two strikers. Zapata and Alfredo Morelos combined for 38 goals in 2019–20 (19 each), while Zapata and Alejandro Muriel posted 19 and 26 goals respectively in 2020–21. Later signings included Matteo Scamacca, who scored 19 times in 2023–24, and eventually Mateo Retegui, who managed 28 goals last season while playing as sole striker or in partnership—the lone exception to Gasperini's two-striker preference that still delivered Champions League qualification. At Roma, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson have been ruled out through injury and poor form; Malen's 15 goals secured European football. Castro joins a squad that also includes Robinio Vaz and reportedly others, offering Gasperini the flexibility to deploy two forward options when needed.