Roma push to complete Read deal within 48 hours as Feyenoord hold firm on €30m valuation

Roma are pursuing Brazilian forward Endrick as Gian Piero Gasperini seeks to strengthen his squad further this summer. The club has been tracking the Real Madrid player for more than a month, with technical director D'Amico hoping to replicate the structure of the Nico Paz deal. The breakthrough came when Endrick, a 2006-born prospect, communicated to Real Madrid his desire to leave, according to transfer analyst Yagiz Sabuncuoglu. The player wants to feel like a protagonist and is seeking greater playing time after feeling he is not a priority at the Bernabéu. Gasperini has made it clear he requires at least four reinforcements beyond the two early signings Castro and Koulierakis, who have already integrated well into the squad and scored in today's match against Newport. Endrick's willingness to depart Real Madrid removes what has been the main obstacle to Roma's pursuit. The coach could be the ideal figure to develop the young forward, who is hungry for responsibility and regular opportunities. With Real Madrid's stance shifting, Roma are now positioned to accelerate their approach for the Brazilian.

Roma's pursuit of left-back Cacciamani has stalled after Torino demanded €20 million for the 2007-born defender. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has targeted the player, but Roma consider the asking price too steep. The two clubs remain apart on valuation with no apparent breakthrough in sight. Director of football D'Amico has identified two wingers as priorities to bolster Gasperini's squad this summer. The first target, Read, appears to be off the table. Attention has shifted to Molina, for whom Roma have tabled an opening bid that was rejected, with a revised offer expected. On the left flank, Cacciamani remains the preferred option, though Torino's stance has become a barrier to progress.

Roma recovered from their Cardiff defeat with a commanding 4–1 victory over Newport County in a pre-season friendly. Gian Piero Gasperini's side impressed throughout, with Mario Hermoso opening the scoring in the first half and new arrivals Santiago Castro and Koulierakis both netting their first goals in giallorosso colours. Matías Soulé added the fourth to complete the rout. CEO John Galantic and Ryan Friedkin attended the match at the stadium. Hermoso featured prominently, winning a penalty, scoring, and providing an assist. He praised the team's adaptation and mentality under Gasperini, emphasising the positive impact of the new signings and the squad's unity. On the transfer front, Roma's recruitment drive continues across multiple fronts. Salah‑Eddine rejected a move to Olympiacos despite an agreement between the clubs. The focus shifts to left-back targets, with ongoing dialogue with Torino over Alessio Cacciamani—Roma are considering raising their offer. A €17 million proposal has been submitted to Atlético Madrid for Nahuel Molina, with talks described as open but difficult. Separately, negotiations with Feyenoord over Read remain active; Roma have agreement with the player but not yet with the Dutch club, who await potential rival bids from Nottingham Forest.

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.

Donyell Malen will miss Roma's friendly against Newport this evening (kickoff 19:00) due to fever, though the Dutch winger is expected to return within days and will be available for Saturday's fixture against Brighton at 15:00. Castro takes his place in attack alongside Paulo Dybala, a pairing that worked in a previous friendly at Cardiff. Wesley has recovered from a right ankle problem and was included in the squad. Koulierakis, another recent addition, starts from the first minute. Vice-president Ryan Friedkin joined the squad at Vale Resort ahead of the match. Malen's absence is not deemed serious and he is expected to be fully fit for the Brighton game on Saturday.

Roma bounced back from defeat to Cardiff with a 4–1 victory over Newport County on 4 August, a League Two side, in their second pre-season friendly. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring with a well-timed insertion in the 37th minute, then won a penalty in the second half which Castro converted from the spot in the 53rd minute for his first goal in giallorosso. Nikolaos Koulierakis added a third with a header from a corner in the 59th minute on his competitive debut, before Matías Soulé's precise left-footed finish made it 4–0 in the 81st minute, assisted by Hermoso again. Cameron's goal in the 85th minute provided Newport's only reply. Gasperini fielded a 3–4–1–2 formation with Hermoso deployed unexpectedly in midfield, an experiment the manager described through his subsequent tactical adjustments as worthwhile. Neil El Aynaoui returned to the lineup after recent absence, operating on the left flank alongside Wesley, Bryan Cristante, and Rensch. The match demonstrated squad depth and cohesion: after Dybala was fouled, the entire group rallied around him in support. Young players Lulli and Reale received minutes late on as substitutes. The fixture served as a tactical study during the Welsh leg of Roma's pre-season camp. Roma next face Brighton on Saturday, 10 August, in the most significant test of this opening phase of preparation.

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.

Roma bounced back from defeat to Cardiff with a 4–1 victory over Newport County on 4 August, a League Two side, in their second pre-season friendly. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring with a well-timed insertion in the 37th minute, then won a penalty in the second half which Castro converted from the spot in the 53rd minute for his first goal in giallorosso. Nikolaos Koulierakis added a third with a header from a corner in the 59th minute on his competitive debut, before Matías Soulé's precise left-footed finish made it 4–0 in the 81st minute, assisted by Hermoso again. Cameron's goal in the 85th minute provided Newport's only reply. Gasperini fielded a 3–4–1–2 formation with Hermoso deployed unexpectedly in midfield, an experiment the manager described through his subsequent tactical adjustments as worthwhile. Neil El Aynaoui returned to the lineup after recent absence, operating on the left flank alongside Wesley, Bryan Cristante, and Rensch. The match demonstrated squad depth and cohesion: after Dybala was fouled, the entire group rallied around him in support. Young players Lulli and Reale received minutes late on as substitutes. The fixture served as a tactical study during the Welsh leg of Roma's pre-season camp. Roma next face Brighton on Saturday, 10 August, in the most significant test of this opening phase of preparation.

Gasperini has built his managerial career around principles borrowed from Dutch football, and that influence is now visible in Roma's recruitment strategy. The Roma head coach, who arrived at the club in 2025, has consistently favoured Dutch-trained players throughout his time at Atalanta. His signature three-at-the-back defence draws directly from Ajax's early-2000s model, while the pressing intensity reflects the "totaalvoetbal" of 1970s Netherlands. At Atalanta, Gasperini deployed Hans Hateboer at right-back (245 matches between 2017 and 2024) and Robin Gosens on the left (157 appearances from 2017 to 2022), both embodying the attacking wing-back style typical of Dutch football. The most loyal pupil of Gasperini's management is Maarten de Roon, who made 358 appearances under the coach between 2017 and 2024, serving as both midfielder and captain. De Roon was recalled from Middlesbrough to Bergamo in 2017 at Gasperini's specific request. Teun Koopmeiners, signed from AZ Alkmaar in 2021, was transformed into a lethal playmaker and proved decisive in the Europa League victory before being sold to Juventus for €57 million. At Roma, Gasperini has already worked with Devyne Rensch and Donyell Malen, who scored 15 goals in 20 matches last January during Roma's Champions League run. The club has also pursued Givairo Read from Feyenoord, the 20-year-old currently in the sights of Roma's recruitment team.