Roma seal Castro deal as Friedkin eyes Nusa push before Wales trip

Artem Dovbyk's stint at Roma has ended with the Ukrainian forward moving to Bologna on loan as part of the deal that brings Castro to the capital. Dovbyk departs after scoring 20 goals in 63 appearances, leaving a sense of what might have been following a transfer that cost the club 41 million euros in the summer of 2024. Dovbyk's first season proved reasonably productive despite Roma's turbulent campaign. He scored his opening goal on 15 September at Marassi under Daniele De Rossi, and added 17 goals in 45 appearances during 2024–25, with crucial strikes against Como, Cagliari, Lecce, and Fiorentina helping Roma climb to fifth place under Claudio Ranieri. However, the 29-year-old, fresh from a 24-goal season at Girona where he won the Pichichi, never truly settled in the capital. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, competition from loan signing Evan Ferguson intensified, and Dovbyk's impact diminished. He missed two penalties against Viktoria Plzen, suffered a thigh strain, then endured a three-month layoff from a left thigh tendon injury. His final appearance came on 17 May in the derby, a two-minute cameo as substitute for Paulo Dybala. The disconnect between the forward and the Roma fanbase was evident throughout. While individual performances warranted optimism at moments, Dovbyk struggled to operate effectively with teammates and lacked conviction in physical challenges. The separation reflects mutual recognition that the substantial investment failed to yield the expected returns.

Santiago Castro received a rousing welcome to Rome late on Wednesday evening as more than 200 Roma supporters gathered to greet him outside Termini station, complete with scarves and chants. The Argentine striker, Roma's first summer signing, arrived from Bologna to scenes of genuine passion from the Giallorossi faithful on a warm end-of-July evening. Castro's arrival marks the beginning of Roma's summer recruitment drive under the Friedkin Group's ownership. The warmth of the reception at one of Rome's main transport hubs underscored the club's supporters' enthusiasm for the incoming talent and their eagerness to embrace new players joining the squad.

Artem Dovbyk left Rome for Bologna on a loan deal with a buyout clause set at approximately €20 million. The Ukrainian forward travelled to Fiumicino airport in the morning to catch his flight to begin his new spell with the Emilia-Romagna club. Roma supporters spotted him at the airport and posed for photographs with the striker. Dovbyk's departure marks another change in Roma's squad following Santiago Castro's arrival at Termini station the previous day. The loan arrangement with Bologna includes an option to make the move permanent, with the buyout figure reported at around €20 million.