Roma revive interest in Alajbegovic as Chelsea enter the race

Roma have made no new additions to their squad ahead of next season's Champions League group phase, with Donyell Malen's permanent signing from Aston Villa for €25 million not counting as a fresh arrival since the Dutch winger joined on loan in January. Only three other clubs already qualified for Europe's top competition—Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, and Villarreal—have similarly avoided summer reinforcements so far. Napoli have invested over €60 million in permanent signings but acquired only players already in their 2025–26 squad, including the redemptions of Højlund, Alisson Santos, and Milinkovic-Savic. PSG, the reigning European champions, have only brought in 18-year-old goalkeeper Alessandro Longoni from AC Milan's youth academy on a free transfer, a prospect likely destined for the Under-19s rather than the first team. Villarreal, meanwhile, remain at zero spending. As rivals strengthen their ranks—Sporting investing over €100 million, Como confirming Nico Paz for €60 million and rescuing Morata while signing Liberali and Milla for €6 million each—Roma face mounting pressure to act. Arsenal have spent €80 million on Hincapié and Tzolis; Manchester City €135 million on Anderson alone; Manchester United €97 million on Andrey Santos and Tielemans.

Santiago Castro is close to completing his move to Roma in a deal worth 35 million euros including add-ons. The 20-year-old Argentine striker, born in 2004, will become Gian Piero Gasperini's new centre-forward after leaving Bologna. Castro joined Vélez from his Buenos Aires neighbourhood club at age 7 and remained there until 2024, when Bologna called. At the Stadio San Paolo, he impressed against Roma in Europe League quarter-finals, scoring a goal and providing an assist across the double-header; he was captivated by the Olimpico atmosphere. He scored 11 goals last season for Bologna and has been pushing for the transfer, with official confirmation expected imminently. Castro carries deep personal meaning in his football. He has 24 tattoos, with the most significant being an 'R' on his wrist — the initial of his brother Ramiro — which he kisses after each goal as a dedication. Beyond his on-field attributes, he married Augustina Gonzalez in June, holding a civil ceremony in Bologna before celebrating in Argentina with teammate Matías Soulé, with whom he trained and shares personal coach Guido Viggiano. Castro credits psychologist Gustavo as part of his support system, a practice he adopted after former Bologna defender De Silvestri encouraged him: "It's a good thing, because from the outside our lives seem gilded, perfect, secure; but we also have needs, doubts, need support. Once De Silvestri said: 'Don't be ashamed to talk to a psychologist.' I used to think I could do everything alone. But you need other components if you want to last long and at high levels."

Santiago Castro's move to Roma, worth approximately €35 million, is pushing Artem Dovbyk further from Gian Piero Gasperini's plans at the capital club. Bologna are already scouting replacements for Castro and have identified Dovbyk as a target, potentially offering him a loan deal back to Serie A. Roma hope to conclude Castro's signing by the end of the day following final negotiations. Dovbyk, the former Liga top scorer, no longer features in Gasperini's project and would have even less opportunity following Castro's arrival. The Ukrainian forward has not yet approved a move to Emilia-Romagna, where he would need to relocate. Fiorentina have also registered interest with an initial enquiry and could accelerate their approach should Bryan Kean depart Florence. Bologna's list of potential replacements includes Espì from Levante alongside Dovbyk.