Roma's truth month: sales drive pursuit of three targets

Konstantinos Koulierakis has completed his transfer to Roma, with the official announcement arriving on 1 August 2026. The defender spoke for the first time as a Roma player, expressing immediate enthusiasm for the move. When his agent informed him of Roma's interest, Koulierakis said he had no hesitation: "I told him 'ok, let's go!' I asked him to do the maximum to make me a player of this club, so important in Italy. I had no doubt whatsoever; I only thought about being ready to sign for Roma." Koulierakis cited conversations with Kostas Tsimikas and Joakim Maehle of Wolfsburg about head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, calling him one of Italy's finest managers. He also revealed he knows Kostas Manolas, having spoken to him this summer about joining Roma—a conversation Koulierakis described as meaningful. The 23-year-old identified Sergio Ramos and Aymeric Laporte as his defensive inspirations, praising their mentality, strength, and playing style. He noted that like Laporte, he is left-footed. Koulierakis highlighted his left foot and mental toughness as his main strengths, emphasizing his drive to improve and win. He expressed eagerness to experience the Stadio Olimpico atmosphere in person, having watched it on television and in videos. Koulierakis also referenced Manolas's role in Roma's famous 3–0 victory over Barcelona, describing it as a great performance he had watched. He thanked the ownership for their faith in him and concluded with "Forza Roma!"

Royal Antwerp have submitted an official offer for Anass Salah-Eddine on a loan deal with a purchase option, according to reports. The 24-year-old left-back is not part of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's plans at Roma and has been excluded from the club's pre-season training camp in Wales. Roma's hierarchy has made clear that Salah-Eddine is set to leave, and discussions between the two clubs are ongoing while the Moroccan player considers his next destination. Roma have already begun reshaping their squad this summer, with the departure of Artem Dovbyk already concluded. Salah-Eddine does not fit Gasperini's tactical approach and is a priority for the club to move on. The player had previously rejected an approach from Olympiakos. Beyond Antwerp's interest, PSV Eindhoven and several other Eredivisie clubs are monitoring the situation and ready to step in should negotiations with the Belgian side stall.

Anass Salah-Eddine remains one of Roma's most active outgoing transfer targets this summer. The Moroccan winger is currently outside Gian Piero Gasperini's project at the club, despite interest from multiple suitors. Royal Antwerp have submitted an official offer for Salah-Eddine on a loan deal with a right of redemption, with the two clubs in dialogue. The player is considering his next destination. Salah-Eddine has already rejected approaches from the PSV and Olympiacos, though the Greek club may return to the table. His decision could partly hinge on Olympiacos's progress in UEFA Champions League qualification; they face NEC in a third-round preliminary tie. Betis are also reported to be monitoring his availability. Salah-Eddine returns from the World Cup but finds himself without a clear role under Gasperini's tactical plans, making a temporary move abroad an attractive option to regain playing time.

Konstantinos Koulierakis joined Roma's pre-season training camp in Wales on 2 August, a day after his signing was officially announced. The defender arrived at the Vale Resort to meet Gian Piero Gasperini and his teammates, including Bryan Cristante, Gianluca Mancini, Paulo Dybala, and Donyell Malen. The moment was captured on camera as Koulierakis embraced the head coach and squad members. Some Roma supporters at the resort approached the new arrival to request photographs and autographs. Gasperini now has an additional defender available as Roma continues its pre-season preparations. The timing of Koulierakis's arrival reflects the club's push to strengthen the backline during the current transfer window. His integration into the group comes as Roma prepares for the 2026-27 season.

Koulierakis joined Roma's squad in Wales on 2 August, arriving at Vale Resort in Hensol after completing his medical and signing yesterday. The Greek centre-back posed for photographs with Roma supporters at the training ground before linking up with Gasperini and the squad for his first team session. He arrived on a permanent deal worth €16 million plus €1.5 million in bonuses, with Wolfsburg retaining a 20 per cent sell-on clause. Koulierakis joins an established defensive unit comprising Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Ziółkowski and Ghilardi, though the last-named could depart the capital. This morning Dybala and the wider group completed a gym session, with a video review and field training scheduled for the afternoon. Gasperini welcomes Koulierakis as Roma's second new acquisition of the summer, following Castro, who made his debut in yesterday's 0–0 draw with Cardiff. The defender will bolster Roma's backline as pre-season preparations continue in Wales.

Borussia Dortmund centre-back Luca Reggiani has spoken ahead of a friendly against Roma scheduled for 15 August at 17:30, describing the fixture as special. During an interview with local media while on tour in Japan, Reggiani said: "Facing Roma is a unique emotion, I hope to play. I will give my best." The match will serve as Roma's final pre-season test before their Serie A campaign begins against Fiorentina on 24 August. Roma are currently on a training camp in Wales, where they suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Cardiff on 1 August. The club has further friendlies against Newport on Tuesday and Brighton on Saturday before returning to Rome. Richard also praised Niccolò Pisilli, the Roma midfielder, calling him "a really talented and strong lad". Paulo Dybala and his Roma teammates will use the Dortmund match to build fitness and sharpness ahead of the competitive season.

Radio commentators weighed in on Roma's transfer window and squad stability on 2 August. Rossomando stated that Lorenzo Pellegrini's desire to remain at the club is evident, arguing that if he wanted to leave, he would already have pursued other options with his agent. Rossomando attributed Roma's wider difficulties to ownership and management rather than individual player decisions, noting that other Italian clubs are also experiencing transfer delays. Conflitti offered a defence of the club's sporting directors, suggesting that this summer's events have clarified that transfer delays at Roma cannot be blamed solely on Ghisolfi, Massara, and D'Amico. He acknowledged that some errors may have occurred but argued the responsibility extends beyond the sporting department to the broader structure of the organisation. Both commentators spoke on Radio Manà Manà Sport as part of Romanews.eu's daily radio commentary column. Rossomando said: "The will of Pellegrini to stay at Roma is clear, otherwise he would have already found other solutions with his agent. As always the problems arise from whoever runs this company, namely the ownership. Many other clubs in Italy are also behind schedule." Conflitti added: "I would say that this summer has dispelled some doubts about what Roma's problems are regarding market delays. The blame clearly was not solely on the sporting directors, so we need to reconsider some of the thinking on Ghisolfi, Massara and also D'Amico, aside from some mistakes that may have been made."

Lorenzo Pellegrini is on the verge of signing a new contract with Roma after the club revised its initial offer. The Friedkin Group had proposed a one-year deal expiring in June 2027, but Pellegrini sought a three-year commitment. The two parties are now expected to agree on a two-year deal with an option worth €2.5 million per season. Pellegrini has accepted a significant pay cut and awaits final approval from ownership. The midfielder's commitment to Roma has never wavered despite the protracted negotiations, and he remains eager to continue under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Pellegrini did not travel to Cardiff with his squad and is currently training in Rome with a personal physiotherapist as he nears complete recovery from an injury sustained late in the previous season. The contract renewal is expected to be finalised pending the Friedkin Group's definitive sign-off. Once fit, Pellegrini will be available to resume full duties in the 2026–27 campaign.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is awaiting final approval from the Friedkin Group to complete his contract renewal with Roma, with the deal expected to be concluded in the coming days. The captain did not travel to Cardiff with his squad and is continuing his recovery from a late-season injury while training in Rome with a personal fitness coach. According to Il Messaggero, the club's ownership initially proposed a single-year contract extension that would have seen his deal expire in June 2027—a formula the player found unsatisfactory after requesting a three-year deal. The two parties are now close to agreement on a two-year contract with an option valued at €2.5 million per season. Pellegrini has agreed to a significant reduction in his wages and is prepared to return to full availability for the Giallorossi. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is waiting for the midfielder to be ready for action.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold a crucial transfer meeting with Roma sporting director D'Amico and owner Ryan Friedkin today before the team's departure for Wales. The summit will focus on finalising the club's market strategy for the remainder of the season as Gasperini, the club's new head coach, continues to push for reinforcements to mount a Champions League challenge. Left-wing remains Roma's priority, with RB Leipzig's Nusa staying at the top of the target list. Gasperini will have the opportunity to reiterate this directly to the board. The departures of Angeliño and Çelik have left gaps in the full-back department that require urgent attention. Read is being considered as a hot prospect to address those needs, with Roma having already tabled an offer to Feyenoord. The Dutch club's approval is now required for any deal to progress. Gasperini has already secured initial signings including Castro and Koulierakis, but the technical staff believes further investment is essential for a competitive campaign. All parties are emphasising the need to row in the same direction as Roma builds its new project under the new coaching regime.

Roma have tabled a €25 million bid to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, hoping to conclude negotiations in the coming days. The offer represents a significant step up from Zeki Çelik's position at the club. Feyenoord remain reluctant to sell, preferring to keep the 20-year-old for another season before potentially commanding a higher fee. Nottingham Forest have also entered the race, offering €19 million plus €2 million in bonuses, a move Roma were aware of before raising their bid. Read has already agreed personal terms with Forest on a five-year contract worth €20 million plus bonuses, which prompted him to push for a departure from the Eredivisie club. Should Roma succeed in persuading Feyenoord to sell, they will need to offer Read a substantial salary of approximately €4 million per year to compete with the English offer. Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is attempting to convince the player to stay, and is considering offering him the captain's armband despite his youth. Read arrived at Feyenoord on a free transfer from Volendam in 2023. Roma's pursuit underscores their determination to strengthen the right-back position, with the club prepared to commit significant resources both in transfer fee and wages to secure the Netherlands-based prospect.

Roma confirmed the arrival of Greek defender Koulierakis from Wolfsburg for €15 million, with medical tests scheduled today. The transfer marks the second major signing following the announcement of Argentine forward Castro, who gave his first interview to the club. Castro said: "I couldn't wait to be here, Gasp is ideal for me. I'm a player who needs to improve everything, I need to score more goals even though the team comes first for me." He also warned Lazio: "I've already scored two goals against them, and I want to keep doing that." Director D'Amico is already focused on further reinforcements. Roma have submitted a €25 million offer to Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read, identified as the primary target to replace Çelik on the right flank. The 2006-born fullback has agreed personal terms, but the Dutch club must still be persuaded. Sporting Lisbona's Fresneda stands as an alternative. On the left wing, Nusa from Leipzig has re-entered Roma's thinking after interest in Ezzalzouli cooled. The club has renewed contact with Leipzig and is prepared to increase their offer, though not to the €60 million the German side demands. Eintracht Frankfurt's Bahoya and an unnamed target also remain under consideration.