Roma's Castro signing proves stronger than Retegui alternative: three reasons to smile

Riccardo Pagano is poised to leave AS Roma for the second time, signing with Cesena on a three-year contract. The midfielder arrived in the city today and will undergo medical examinations tomorrow before completing the move, following a season on loan at Bari. Pagano made seven appearances for Roma during the 2023–24 season under José Mourinho, who gave him his debut on 20 August 2023 against Salernitana. The 23-year-old's spell in the Giallorossi shirt proved brief, and he was loaned out before now securing a permanent switch to the Serie B side.

Roma are competing with multiple Premier League clubs for Paris Saint-Germain's Ibrahim Mbaye as they continue their search for an attacking winger. The 2008-born Senegalese talent has been tracked by the Giallorossi for several days, but competition has escalated sharply. Aston Villa already made an approach but were firmly rejected. According to TeamTalk, Mbaye's agents are actively testing the Premier League market, proposing the youngster to both Liverpool and Manchester City. Both clubs are assessing his profile, though he does not appear to be a priority for either side at present. Liverpool, following Mohamed Salah's departure, continue to explore PSG options but have identified Bradley Barcola as their main target to strengthen their attacking department. Manchester City are similarly evaluating rather than pursuing the teenager with urgency. Roma's interest in Mbaye reflects their ongoing strategy to reinforce the wide areas, but the North West England clubs' involvement suggests the race for his signature will be competitive in the coming window.

Kostas Tsimikas has been named Liverpool captain for the first time, a striking turnaround after his disappointing spell at AS Roma. The left-back arrived in Rome last summer to bring experience from his years at Liverpool, but failed to establish himself on the flank despite Angeliño's absence. His time at the Stadio Olimpico was marked by poor performances, including a memorable poor free-kick attempt against Como and being substituted for Bryan Zaragoza. Roma supporters view the development with bitter irony—what promised to be a valuable acquisition under Gasperini became a complete failure. Tsimikas has now returned to Liverpool, where he has been warmly received by the club's supporters. Manager Arne Slot, who took over from predecessor Jurgen Slot, has confirmed the Greek defender in the squad for next season and appears committed to building around him. The contrast between Tsimikas's struggles in Serie A and his embrace at Anfield illustrates how drastically circumstances can differ for the same player at different clubs. His captaincy represents a significant show of faith from Liverpool's new management.

Gian Piero Gasperini will reconvene the Roma squad on Wednesday afternoon at the Fulvio Bernardini training ground following a two-day rest period after the friendly against Cannes. The squad has completed a series of summer warm-up fixtures: two joint training sessions with the Primavera, a test with Trastevere, and the friendly with Cannes. Paulo Dybala has impressed during the pre-season programme, scoring a brace against the Primavera, one goal against Trastevere, and two more in the 3–3 draw with Cannes, while working on his understanding with Donyell Malen, who recently returned to Trigoria. Roma will continue their preparation in Wales from 31 July, where they face Cardiff (1 August), Newport (4 August), and Brighton (8 August) in further friendlies before a prestige test against Borussia Dortmund in Germany on 15 August. The Serie A campaign begins on 24 August at the Olimpico against Fiorentina. Dybala, fresh from a contract renewal, enters his fifth season at Roma after sealing Champions League qualification in the final stretch of last season. El Aynaoui is expected to rejoin the squad on 30 July, while Manu Koné remains on holiday and will link up with the group in August subject to the transfer market.

Roma are on the verge of closing their first official signing under the Friedkin Group's leadership, agreeing a deal with Bologna to bring striker Santiago Castro to the capital. The transfer is worth €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses. The 20-year-old Argentine, who will earn €2.2 million per season, turned down a higher offer from Fiorentina to join Roma's project. He will join the squad for the pre-season training camp in Wales after completing formalities. Castro's arrival directly addresses head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's request for a high-calibre forward to rotate with Donyell Malen throughout the season. The pursuit of alternative targets, including Tresoldi, had stalled due to prohibitive demands from Bruges. The transfer represents a significant offensive reinforcement as Roma reshape their attacking options. Following this deal, sporting director D'Amico must turn attention to other priorities, particularly sourcing elite wingers with Nusa and Moreira identified as main candidates, while also monitoring developments surrounding Manu Koné and contract negotiations with Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Roma drew 3–3 with Cannes in a pre-season friendly at the Pierre de Coubertin stadium, Gian Piero Gasperini's third test match ahead of the squad's departure for a training camp in Wales. Paulo Dybala was the standout performer, opening the scoring with a free-kick before adding a second from a solo run on the right after the hour mark. Donyell Malen doubled Roma's advantage at 44 minutes, capitalizing on Dybala's pressure and an opponent's defensive error to give the Giallorossi a commanding 3–0 lead. The match was disrupted when Wesley received a red card for a second yellow in an unusual incident for a friendly, a dismissal that shifted the game's complexion. From the 69th minute onwards, Cannes mounted a comeback with a brace from Lopez and a penalty goal from Ogadd in the final second to equalize. Gasperini used the fixture to trial positional changes, frequently inverting Wesley and Devyne Rensch on the flanks alongside Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in attacking roles. The opening period at Pierre de Coubertin saw slow rhythms and French defensive organisation, though Roma grew increasingly dominant. Young players featured prominently, with mixed performances; Artem Dovbyk and Daniele Ghilardi made less convincing impacts. Ryan Friedkin watched from the stands.