Roma push for Nusa as primary target; Fresneda pursuit heats up

Gianluca Mancini has reinforced his commitment to AS Roma by getting the letters 'SPQR' tattooed on his left thigh, a symbol of his deep connection to the club. The centre-back rejected interest from Inter Milan during the summer transfer window and signed a contract renewal on 18 July that keeps him at Roma until 2029. Mancini's agent Giuseppe Riso revealed to fcinter1908 that the defender had turned down more lucrative offers elsewhere. Riso said: "I wanted to take him away with even more important offers (laughs) but he wanted at all costs to stay at Roma." He continued: "Gasperini and D'Amico were better than me at convincing him, I would have sold him but he refused everything for Roma. It's a gesture he makes for Roma." Riso added: "I told him he's crazy, I'm happy because he's happy. He could have earned more but he's happy." Mancini's refusal to join Inter came as the Nerazzurri sought defensive reinforcement under Chivu. Riso also praised fellow Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante, saying: "He never had any intention of leaving Roma, he is Roma's captain and will go down in the history of the club forever." The agent's comments underline the loyalty both players have shown to the Giallorossi despite external interest.

Gianluca Mancini turned down multiple rich transfer proposals during the summer window to remain at Roma, according to his agent Giuseppe Riso. Despite interest from other clubs, the centre-back was determined to continue his career at the Giallorossi and defend the club's colours. Riso told FcInter1908 that he had wanted to sell Mancini and move him away from Roma, but the player refused every option. "Gianluca Mancini for me is mad! I wanted to sell him and take him away from Roma, he refused everything in order to stay. He had very rich offers, I would have sold him. Gasperini and D'Amico were better than me at convincing him," the agent said. Riso also discussed fellow client Bryan Cristante, emphasising the midfielder's commitment to Roma. "Bryan Cristante is the captain and never thought of leaving Roma. He has 360 matches in the Giallorosso shirt… he will enter Roma's history forever," Riso added. Both players have demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the club despite external temptation, reinforcing their status as key figures in the squad under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

Roma are continuing their January transfer activity and have set their sights on Nicolas Raskin, the Belgian midfielder at Glasgow Rangers. Sporting director Tony D'Amico is looking to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad across all departments, with an attacking winger remaining the priority but reinforcements planned throughout the team. Raskin, born in 2001, is keen to leave Rangers and take the next step in his career after impressing at the World Cup, where he made six appearances and provided two assists before his side's quarter-final exit against Spain. The 23-year-old has attracted attention from multiple clubs, with Villarreal also in the hunt and currently holding a slight advantage in the race. In his last season in Scotland, Raskin made 50 appearances for Rangers, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists. Roma believe the midfielder could be an upgrade on their current options, though the Catalan club's position means the outcome remains uncertain.

Roma are accelerating their pursuit of a new right-back after Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus on a free transfer. Sporting CP's Ivan Fresneda, a Spanish winger born in 2004, has emerged as the club's primary target, according to reports from Matteo Moretto. Sporting are holding firm on an initial valuation of 25 million euros for the young talent, and Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is currently assessing the financial viability of the move ahead of a potential bid in the coming days. The search for Fresneda underscores Roma's determination to reshape their right flank and bolster their attacking unit. Gasperini has made clear his desire for swift action in the transfer window, particularly as the squad prepares for their training camp in Wales. The head coach believes the recent arrival of Santiago Castro alone is insufficient to complete the squad, and he is pushing for decisive acceleration in recruitment timelines. D'Amico is weighing up both the cost and economic sustainability of pursuing Fresneda at Sporting's asking price. The club's emphasis on the right side comes as part of broader summer restructuring that extends beyond defensive needs.

Roma are actively searching for a replacement on the right flank following Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus on a free transfer. The leading target is Ivan Fresneda, the Spanish defender born in 2004 at Sporting CP. Director of sport D'Amico has identified Fresneda as a priority and is currently assessing the feasibility and costs of a deal. Sporting have set an initial valuation of €25 million, and while Roma are considering their options, the club may attempt a move in the coming days. Gasperini is pushing to accelerate business in the transfer market ahead of the pre-season training camp in Wales. The coach has flagged that the current squad lacks depth across multiple positions and cannot rely solely on recent signing Castro to address all the gaps. Roma's recruitment team is working across multiple departments to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season.

Radio commentators debate Roma's summer transfer strategy following the arrival of striker Castro. Daniele Cecchetti told Radio Manà Manà that Castro is capable of starting matches rather than serving as a backup to Donyell Malen, drawing a parallel to early scepticism over Radja Nainggolan's signing before he became central to Roma's midfield. Cecchetti said: "Castro? For me he's not a Malen backup, I think he'll play. I remember the same criticism the club faced for buying Nainggolan, then in the end he was a cornerstone of that midfield. We'll see, maybe he'll play with Malen, or perhaps in a deeper role." Other analysts highlighted Roma's pressing needs on the flanks. One commentator noted that Roma must replace both Zeki Çelik and Angeliño at fullback, and called for a left-sided attacking midfielder before the squad departs for Wales. Roberto Pruzzo observed that Castro has different characteristics to those of a straightforward left-winger option, and compared the midfielder's profile to Alejandro Muriel. The recruitment focus remains on completing the squad before Friday, with reports of behind-the-scenes work to secure an outside attacker. Roma's attacking depth now includes Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Castro, and Donyell Malen, though one analyst questioned whether a further striker would be pursued if Soulé does not depart.

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings roundup highlights Paulo Dybala's perfectly struck free-kick against Cannes in a friendly, earning top marks for technical excellence regardless of the opposition's standard. Donyell Malen has returned from his recent World Cup commitments with renewed hunger for goals and prominence in Roma's attacking play, while Devyne Rensch is already showing signs of sharpness and remains underrated heading into official fixtures. Pierluigi Gollini's position as second-choice keeper warrants reflection from the club. Matías Soulé's fitness condition drew specific mention from Gasperini in a recent press conference, with Soulé appearing among those most behind pace during the Cannes match—though this observation carries no bearing on ongoing transfer considerations. Angeliño's search for match sharpness requires respectful patience rather than unsolicited commentary. The wider ratings reflect concerns about Italy's national team setup under new management, with political interference in sporting matters undermining both the sport itself and public confidence.

Roma are pursuing a significant revamp of their defensive and attacking flanks following Santiago Castro's arrival. Sporting CP's Ivan Fresneda remains the priority target for the right-back position, with the Portuguese club valuing the Spanish defender at approximately €15 million. Roma are intensifying diplomatic contact to negotiate that fee downwards. Wesley is the first-choice right-back, with Devyne Rensch providing cover, though the club believes additional quality additions are necessary. Rafik Belghali remains a backup option but has not entirely convinced the coaching staff due to fitness concerns. On the left flank, a major restructure is underway. Anass Salah-Eddine is close to departing after failing to fit Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical requirements, with PSV Eindhoven preparing a return deal following his loan spell there last season. The player had preferred a Premier League move, but PSV are advancing towards completing the transfer. Angeliño's position is also uncertain. The Spanish defender has not fully convinced Gasperini during pre-season and Roma will consider offers for him. Deportivo La Coruña have registered interest, though no formal bids have yet reached the club.

Radio commentators debate Roma's summer transfer strategy following the arrival of striker Castro. Daniele Cecchetti told Radio Manà Manà that Castro is capable of starting matches rather than serving as a backup to Donyell Malen, drawing a parallel to early scepticism over Radja Nainggolan's signing before he became central to Roma's midfield. Cecchetti said: "Castro? For me he's not a Malen backup, I think he'll play. I remember the same criticism the club faced for buying Nainggolan, then in the end he was a cornerstone of that midfield. We'll see, maybe he'll play with Malen, or perhaps in a deeper role." Other analysts highlighted Roma's pressing needs on the flanks. One commentator noted that Roma must replace both Zeki Çelik and Angeliño at fullback, and called for a left-sided attacking midfielder before the squad departs for Wales. Roberto Pruzzo observed that Castro has different characteristics to those of a straightforward left-winger option, and compared the midfielder's profile to Alejandro Muriel. The recruitment focus remains on completing the squad before Friday, with reports of behind-the-scenes work to secure an outside attacker. Roma's attacking depth now includes Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Castro, and Donyell Malen, though one analyst questioned whether a further striker would be pursued if Soulé does not depart.

Roma have completed the Santiago Castro signing for €35M including add-ons and will resume their search for a fast attacker, but Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford remain unrealistic targets. Both players earn around €11M gross annually, significantly more than Roma's top earners—a wage gap that also prevented Mason Greenwood from moving to the Italian capital. Artem Dovbyk is departing on loan to Bologna with a €17M option to buy, where he will work with coach Giovanni Tedesco to revive his career. Antonio Nusa currently leads Roma's shortlist as an alternative, though RB Leipzig are in advanced talks to sell Yan Diomande to Real Madrid, which could complicate the pursuit. Rashford's name emerged during discussions with Manchester United over Manu Koné, but the club have not aggressively pursued the Frenchman despite his impressive Barcelona loan spell—14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances. Roma's investment in a centre-forward after a summer spent hunting for a winger appears strategic; Castro and Donyell Malen can both operate as mobile forwards. Matías Soulé remains at the club, and Roma may yet explore another attacking addition depending on tactical requirements.

Artem Dovbyk left Rome on Tuesday morning, heading to Bologna Airport to complete his transfer from AS Roma. The Ukrainian striker will join Bologna on loan with a purchase option set at around €20 million. Roma fans at Fiumicino Airport stopped to take photographs with Dovbyk as he departed. Dovbyk's exit marks another summer change for Roma's squad, following Santiago Castro's arrival at Termini station the previous day. The loan deal with a defined buyout clause represents Roma's approach to reshaping its attacking options ahead of the new season. The transfer will see Dovbyk begin his new chapter with Bologna in the coming days, as the loan arrangement takes immediate effect.

Artem Dovbyk flew out of Rome's Fiumicino airport this morning bound for Bologna, where he will begin his move away from AS Roma. The Ukrainian striker was spotted by Roma supporters inside the terminal before boarding and took time to pose for photographs and chat with fans despite having his bags packed for the transfer. His departure marks a significant outgoing as Roma reshape their squad under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Dovbyk's move to Bologna is structured as a loan with a right of rescission in favour of the Emilian club, with a permanent transfer fee set at approximately €20 million. The deal creates space in Roma's wage bill and squad size for Gasperini to work with. The transfer comes as Santiago Castro arrived in Rome yesterday at Termini station to begin his career in giallorosso, with both moves completing a significant exchange of attacking talent between the capital and Emilia.