Roma radio roundtable: Gasperini will have a striker before pre-season

Roma continue negotiations with RB Leipzig and the representatives of Nusa as Gian Piero Gasperini pushes the club to strengthen the attacking wing position. According to transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà, the Giallorossi have maintained contact with both the Norwegian winger's agents and the Bundesliga club, though no agreement has yet been reached. The pursuit of Nusa comes as Roma look to bolster the offensive department following the arrival of Castro and with defender Koulierakis close to completion. Gasperini has made an additional attacking midfielder his priority requirement for sporting director D'Amico. Nusa has been on Roma's radar for several days, though the club may have initially used interest in the player as cover for work on alternative targets. Pedullà stressed that while dialogue continues between Roma, the player's agents, and Leipzig, no deal is currently in place. Ezzalzouli remains another option being considered, but that avenue is presently proving difficult to pursue.

Roma are maintaining their interest in Endrick, the 2006-born striker currently owned by Real Madrid, as they look to add further reinforcements to their attacking department this summer. The move would follow Roma's acquisition of Santiago Castro, with Endrick identified as one of several targets on the club's shortlist. Endrick recently featured for Brazil at the World Cup and spent the previous season on loan at Lyon. Real Madrid are open to allowing the forward to leave on loan again to secure more regular playing time. Roma's interest forms part of a broader summer recruitment plan as the club seeks to strengthen its offensive options under the direction of recruitment staff.

Roma remain interested in signing Real Madrid forward Endrick as they continue to strengthen their attacking options. The Brazilian, born 2006, is not expected to feature regularly at the Bernabéu in the coming season, and Real Madrid are exploring a loan move to develop the player. Roma have already moved to secure midfielder Castro, with an official announcement expected soon, and are close to agreeing a deal for defender Koulierakis, but priority remains upgrading the forward line. Endrick comes fresh from a positive spell at Lyon and now appears on Roma's radar alongside other targets identified in recent weeks. The proposed structure would see the Brazilian join on loan with an option to buy valued at approximately 45 million euros, plus a counter-option reserved for Real Madrid to reclaim the player. The loan-with-obligation framework reflects both clubs' flexibility in the current transfer window.

AS Roma have identified Matías Soulé as their primary candidate for a significant departure before the end of the month, with the transfer designed to generate funds for Financial Fair Play compliance and strengthen other areas of the squad. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly raised tactical and physical concerns about the Argentine winger, preferring a wider player with greater guarantee in the final third and more durability, given Soulé's recent pubic bone issues. The club sees his departure as essential to safeguard key players Evan N'Dicka and Manu Koné, who Gasperini views as non-negotiable. With a residual book value of €15.5 million, a sale in the region of €35 million would deliver a profit of between €20 and €21 million, providing crucial breathing room against UEFA Financial Fair Play rules following the €35 million acquisition of Santiago Castro. Agent Martin Guastadisegno has reportedly sounded out Premier League clubs Sunderland and Fulham, while AC Milan has also received a formal proposal. Juventus are entitled to 10 per cent of any profit above the original €25.6 million purchase price.

Mile Svilar has firmly closed the door on any departure from Roma, dismissing transfer speculation and reaffirming his commitment to the club. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, the Belgian-Serbian goalkeeper said: "For me it has always been only Roma, you should know that by now after the renewal. I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans. My heart is here." Juventus made an enquiry in mid-June to test the feasibility of a deal, but sporting director Tony D'Amico blocked any move, deeming Svilar immovable. Svilar has established himself as a leader under Gian Piero Gasperini's new era at the Stadio Olimpico. He recorded 132 appearances for Roma and a save percentage of 79% last season—the highest in Serie A. The goalkeeper credited much of his individual success to his understanding with the defensive line, expressing relief at the retention of key personnel: "It is a fortune that N'Dicka and Mancini have stayed. I have the fortune of having one of the best defences in Europe. A goalkeeper is nothing without prepared and attentive teammates." Svilar also confirmed he remains in contact with former captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, saying "I have been in touch with Lorenzo, he cannot wait to return." He has put behind him disappointment over missing the World Cup with Belgium due to bureaucratic and registration issues linked to Serbia, preferring to concentrate solely on Roma.

Mile Svilar has dismissed speculation linking him with Juventus, stating his sole focus remains AS Roma. The goalkeeper addressed reports that Juve had tabled a 40 million euro offer for him at the end of June, saying: "I don't know anything about this story, at least as far as I'm concerned. I can't tell you anything because I wasn't consulted and for me, you should know by now, there is only Roma. I'm focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans." Svilar, who has established himself as one of Serie A's standout goalkeepers in recent seasons, discussed Roma's ambitions for the campaign ahead. When asked about expectations, he said: "We're working, our legs are heavy. We still have a month before the league starts, so everything seems premature. Playing in the Champions League is something beautiful. In the league it will be difficult to confirm third place, especially because during the week with that type of European commitments we'll need to always be at our best. Teams to fear? No, I don't fear anyone. I can't wait to play against whoever." Svilar highlighted the solidity of Roma's defence, crediting the presence of Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka. Regarding Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury status, he remained coy: "I can't say anything, then with Lorenzo it's clear we're in touch. We've spoken, let's see what happens in the coming days."

Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal at AS Roma remains unsigned despite an agreement being reached in principle between the club and his agent Pocetta. The midfielder is set to earn 2.5 million euros plus bonuses over two seasons, with a unilateral option for the club to extend the deal until 2029. However, the signing has been delayed, with Pellegrini's physical condition emerging as a complicating factor. Pellegrini suffered a setback to a right thigh muscular injury in May while attempting to recover in time for the Derby della Capitale. The injury stems from a torn rectus femoris tendon sustained in May 2025, for which he underwent surgery by Dr. Lempainen in Finland. Pellegrini reportedly travelled to Finland for a follow-up examination with the specialist, during which a procedure to clean the old scar tissue was performed. Head coach Gian Piero Gasparini, Bryan Cristante, and Mile Svilar have all publicly expressed hope for a positive resolution. Final approval from the Friedkin Group is awaited before the contract can be completed, with expectations that the signature could arrive in the coming week.

Mile Svilar has reaffirmed his commitment to AS Roma, stating he has no interest in a move to Juventus despite reported interest from the Serie A champions following his performance in a friendly against Cannes. The goalkeeper's declaration comes as Roma awaits official confirmation of Santiago Castro, the club's first summer signing. Artem Dovbyk has departed for Bologna, marking another change in Roma's forward line as the club reshapes its squad during the transfer window. Svilar's public stance underscores Roma's defensive strength and his intention to remain at the Giallorossi despite external interest from rival clubs. Elsewhere, Roma's women's team announced new signings, while the Italian national team continues its rebuild under Mancini and Ranieri.

Matías Soulé has been proposed to AC Milan through intermediaries as Roma reshape their attacking department. The Argentine playboy, whose future at Trigoria remains uncertain amid the club's offensive restyling, could offer a solution for the Rossoneri. The proposal arrives at a critical moment in the summer window, with Roma eager to generate funds and unlock the incoming transfers demanded by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Milan has not yet responded officially to the possibility of opening talks. Roma's primary focus remains the right flank, where Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus on a free transfer has created a significant gap. The club's director of sport Tony D'Amico has identified Ivan Fresneda, a Spanish fullback born in 2004 currently at Sporting Lisbon, as the main target. However, Sporting's valuation of at least 25 million euros complicates negotiations, and Roma are weighing the economic sustainability of a potential deal. Elsewhere, Mile Svilar has ruled out any move away from Roma, telling Corriere dello Sport: "For me there has only ever been Roma, you should know that by now after my renewal. I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans. My heart is here." In a separate development, Claudio Ranieri has been named director and president of Club Italia alongside the return of Roberto Mancini as Italy head coach—a decision they made jointly with federation president Giovanni Malagò.

Santiago Castro has completed his medical assessment at Campus Biomedico and arrived at Trigoria to begin life as AS Roma's new number 9. The Argentine forward, signed from Vélez, embodies the profile favoured by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini—combining the dynamism that reminds the manager of Donyell Malen or Luis Muriel from his time at Atalanta. Castro will undergo his official presentation, take his first training session under Gasperini, and link up with Roma's Argentine contingent of Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala before joining the squad for their pre-season training camp in Wales. Gasperini views Castro's arrival as a significant boost to Roma's attacking options. The 21-year-old can operate as a pure centre-forward, a mobile second striker, or a left-sided attacker, giving the Italian tactician flexibility across multiple competitions and knockout fixtures. With Paulo Dybala positioned as a playmaker, the pairing promises to unlock different offensive configurations. Castro's versatility allows Roma to tailor their formation and approach based on the opposition, strengthening the squad depth and providing certainty during the demanding season ahead.

Santiago Castro has completed his medical at Campus Biomedico and arrived at Trigoria as a Roma player, choosing the number 9 shirt. The striker will be formally presented today and take his first training session under Gian Piero Gasperini. Castro joins a forward line that includes Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, reconnecting with fellow Argentine Matías Soulé at the club. Gasperini has identified in Castro echoes of earlier successful central strikers he has managed—a profile similar to Malen or Luis Muriel during his Atalanta years. Castro inherits a prestigious shirt with deep roots in Roma's attacking tradition. The 23-year-old can operate as a centre-forward, attacking midfielder, or left-sided winger, the position he occupied at Velez. Gasperini has demonstrated at Bergamo that central attackers can coexist and elevate one another's play, particularly when orchestrated by a creative presence like Dybala. Castro's positional versatility will give the coach tactical flexibility and the ability to rotate his forward line based on opposition and match demands, while maintaining continuity in key fixtures.

Santiago Castro has completed his move to Roma on a five-year contract worth €1.5 million plus bonuses per season, with the signing formally concluded today. The deal forms part of a package involving Artem Dovbyk's departure to Bologna. Castro was greeted by crowds at Termini railway station despite the weekday timing, and will now begin training under Gian Piero Gasperini alongside his new teammates. The Argentine will wear the number 9 shirt—the traditional pure strikers' number. Castro, 20, impressed Gasperini during Atalanta's Coppa Italia quarter-final win over Roma in February 2025, a match the Argentine won with a goal that sent Atalanta to the final. Roma face that same Atalanta side again when they begin preparations in Wales this Friday, with friendlies against Cardiff, Newport, and Brighton scheduled before an Ferragosto test against Borussia Dortmund. His competitive debut comes on 24 August. In attack, Castro will initially operate alongside fellow Argentines Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, who are currently Roma's only playmakers. Soulé and Castro are linked by a strong friendship and spent part of their holidays training together at Comunicaciones, the club owned by Soulé's father. Donyell Malen will also feature, with Castro serving as his primary alternative, though Gasperini may deploy the pair's combined pace and dynamism simultaneously.