Roma's full-back overhaul: Salah-Eddine departure imminent, Fresneda targeted

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.

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.

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.

Roma are actively scouting replacements at left-back after Gian Piero Gasperini and his coaching staff decided Angeliño is not part of their plans. The Spanish full-back, sidelined for much of last season by injury, has lagged behind athletically during the opening two weeks of pre-season training, prompting the club to explore alternatives. Gasperini has not changed his initial thinking: Angeliño is available for transfer, with La Liga a plausible destination given Betis's earlier interest, though all options remain open. Roma's priority targets for the flank include Nusa, widely appreciated at Trigoria, but Leipzig's asking price remains high following their sale of Diomande to Real Madrid for over 100 million euros. The club has launched discrete probes for other candidates, including Schade and Elzazzouli, though both have costs deemed prohibitively expensive. The Lang option has not been pursued. On the departures front, negotiations are underway with Rayo Vallecano over Kumbulla, and Salah-Eddine appears closer to an exit. Koné is expected to attract substantial interest in the coming days, principally from Manchester United in the Premier League, with Chelsea and Arsenal less actively engaged. Angeliño's exit would leave Roma needing at least one new left-back, possibly two given the departures of Salah-Eddine and Angeliño and Zeki Çelik's lack of confirmation. Fresneda, Sporting Lisbona's right-back, features on the shortlist.

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.

Mile Svilar addressed reporters following Roma's friendly against Cannes, firmly stating he had received no contact regarding reported Juventus interest. "Frankly I know nothing about this story. I cannot say anything, because I was not consulted. For me today there is only Roma and I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans," the goalkeeper said. Roma are in their pre-season preparation phase, with Svilar highlighting the intensity of the physical work underway. He felt the first half against Cannes went well but questioned the dismissal of Wesley, which forced Roma to play with a numerical disadvantage in a friendly fixture. Svilar stressed that results cannot yet be measured and that another month of work is needed before competitive matches begin. With Champions League football on the horizon alongside domestic duties, he acknowledged the challenge of the double commitment but expressed confidence in Roma's ability to manage it. Looking ahead to the season, Svilar declared: "Frankly? I do not fear anyone. I cannot wait to play real matches, whatever opponent we face." The goalkeeper's comments underline Roma's ambitions as they prepare for a campaign that will include Europe's premier club competition.

Roma drew 3-3 with Cannes at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in a pre-season friendly under Gian Piero Gasperini. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring with a free-kick before Donyell Malen doubled the lead, but Roma were reduced to ten men when Wesley received a second yellow card. After the interval, Dybala added a second goal to make it 3-0, but Cannes mounted a comeback through Lopes, who scored twice including one from the penalty spot, and Oggad to level the match in the closing stages. This was Roma's third summer friendly and demonstrated both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerability during the preparation period. The match showcased contributions from two key squad members in Dybala and Malen, though the late collapse and numerical disadvantage highlighted areas for improvement as Gasperini continues his pre-season work.

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.

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.