Roma Sign Koulierakis from Wolfsburg and target Feyenoord's Read

Roma's pursuit of Endrick has become significantly more difficult following Real Madrid's sale of Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham for a fee close to €40 million. The Spanish club's unexpected decision to move Garcia out has fundamentally altered the Brazilian forward's prospects at the Bernabéu. Garcia had been competing with Endrick for a starting position in Real Madrid's attack, with manager Mourinho planning to evaluate both players during pre-season before deciding their futures. With Garcia now sold to Fulham, Mourinho no longer faces that choice. Endrick can now be retained as an in-house attacking talent ready to develop under the Portuguese manager's guidance. The €40 million from Garcia's departure gives Real Madrid funds to reinvest elsewhere—reportedly on Rodri—but more importantly removes the pressure to offload Endrick. A loan move, previously considered possible, now appears less likely. Roma, under head coach Gasperini, will need to explore alternative targets. Only the arrival of another centre-forward at Real Madrid could reopen the possibility of Endrick departing, but the current outlook suggests the Brazilian will remain with the club. Roma's recruitment team will continue working behind the scenes on other profiles to strengthen the attack.

Bryan Zaragoza's spell at Roma has ended in disappointment, with Bayern Munich indicating the Spanish winger has no future at the Bundesliga club. After his loan at Roma concluded, Zaragoza returned to Bavaria only to be told to leave. Bayern sporting director Max Eberl made the club's position clear, stating: "Zaragoza, Palhinha and Boey don't have a future here. We are planning something else. If they want to stay, it will be difficult: they won't have a role." Roma had signed Zaragoza hoping to remedy the earlier disappointment of Bailey's tenure. However, the left-winger made little impact during his time at the Stadio Olimpico, scoring no goals and spending extended periods on the bench. His contribution to Roma's Champions League push proved negligible, and the club has already moved past him. The failed experiment joins Bailey as another unsuccessful wide recruitment for Roma—two losing bets that have left a gap the club must now fill urgently. Zaragoza must now find a new club as Bayern Munich have effectively shown him the door. The responsibility falls on Roma's technical director to identify the correct left-wing profile this time, as another mistake is not an option.

Roma have accelerated their transfer activity, officially confirming Castro and closing the Koulierakis deal while tabling a €25 million offer for Read. Head coach Gasperini will have at least two new faces available when Roma travel to Wales. The club continues to prioritize a left winger, but are also fielding offers for current squad members. Defender Daniele Ghilardi has emerged as a potential departure candidate following the arrival of the Greek defender, as he may see reduced playing time. Juventus have made an initial enquiry for the former Verona prospect, though Roma will not part with him easily. Gasperini is reluctant to lose Ghilardi, who remains young with significant room for development. To sweeten a potential deal, Juventus are considering offering defender Gatti as a technical counterpart. However, the proposal remains exploratory at this stage and may not progress further. Roma's transfer strategy continues on multiple fronts, with further activity expected both in incomings and departures in the coming days.

Roma's transfer window has shifted into high gear. An official double announcement confirming the exchange of Santiago Castro and Artem Dovbyk with Bologna is expected imminently. Director of football Tony D'Amico is close to securing Konstantinos Koulierakis, the left-footed centre-back from Wolfsburg born in 2003, who has already given his full approval. An agreement with the German club is being finalised for a fee near €15 million. Koulierakis will expand Roma's central defensive options alongside Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Jan Ziółkowski pushing for a departure. In defence and the wide areas, Ivan Fresneda (Sporting Lisbon asking €20 million) and Gabriele Cacciamani, the 19-year-old Torino prospect who impressed on loan at Juve Stabia, remain under consideration at €15 million. In attack, Abde Ezzalzouli has returned to the agenda alongside Jean-Mattéo Bahoya. Real Betis are demanding €45 million, while Roma are targeting a reduction to €35 million. On outgoings, Riccardo Pagano's move to Cesena has been confirmed with a sell-on clause retained by Roma. Anass Salah-Eddine's transfer to Olympiacos for €7.5 million is closing, and Angeliño has joined Deportivo La Coruña on loan with a €3 million purchase option.

AS Roma have identified Matías Soulé as their primary candidate for a significant departure before the end of the month, with the transfer designed to generate funds for Financial Fair Play compliance and strengthen other areas of the squad. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly raised tactical and physical concerns about the Argentine winger, preferring a wider player with greater guarantee in the final third and more durability, given Soulé's recent pubic bone issues. The club sees his departure as essential to safeguard key players Evan N'Dicka and Manu Koné, who Gasperini views as non-negotiable. With a residual book value of €15.5 million, a sale in the region of €35 million would deliver a profit of between €20 and €21 million, providing crucial breathing room against UEFA Financial Fair Play rules following the €35 million acquisition of Santiago Castro. Agent Martin Guastadisegno has reportedly sounded out Premier League clubs Sunderland and Fulham, while AC Milan has also received a formal proposal. Juventus are entitled to 10 per cent of any profit above the original €25.6 million purchase price.

Mile Svilar has firmly closed the door on any departure from Roma, dismissing transfer speculation and reaffirming his commitment to the club. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, the Belgian-Serbian goalkeeper said: "For me it has always been only Roma, you should know that by now after the renewal. I am focused on giving my best for this shirt, this club and these fans. My heart is here." Juventus made an enquiry in mid-June to test the feasibility of a deal, but sporting director Tony D'Amico blocked any move, deeming Svilar immovable. Svilar has established himself as a leader under Gian Piero Gasperini's new era at the Stadio Olimpico. He recorded 132 appearances for Roma and a save percentage of 79% last season—the highest in Serie A. The goalkeeper credited much of his individual success to his understanding with the defensive line, expressing relief at the retention of key personnel: "It is a fortune that N'Dicka and Mancini have stayed. I have the fortune of having one of the best defences in Europe. A goalkeeper is nothing without prepared and attentive teammates." Svilar also confirmed he remains in contact with former captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, saying "I have been in touch with Lorenzo, he cannot wait to return." He has put behind him disappointment over missing the World Cup with Belgium due to bureaucratic and registration issues linked to Serbia, preferring to concentrate solely on Roma.

Roma face Cardiff City in a pre-season friendly on 1 August at 16:00 at Cardiff City Stadium, marking their first match of the Wales training camp following earlier warm-up fixtures against Primavera, Trastevere and Cannes. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will field a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso across the back; Rensch and Wesley as wing-backs; El Aynaoui and Cristante in midfield; Dybala and Soulé in attacking support; with Malen leading the line. Tickets for the friendly are available through Cardiff City's official website. The match will be shown live on streaming platform DAZN, with a repeat broadcast at 21:30 on Italian channel NOVE. Live text coverage with real-time updates will be available on ilromanista.eu.

Roma have completed the signing of Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg, marking the club's second transfer of the window following Castro's arrival. The Greek defender, the tenth from his country to join Roma, will serve as backup to Mario Hermoso while bringing a crucial attacking asset: prowess in the air. Koulierakis ranks second among defenders across Europe's top five leagues for headed goals in the 2025–26 season, with 4 to his name. Only Van Dijk has surpassed him, with 5. Gianluca Mancini sits in third place, also on 4 headed goals. Combined, Koulierakis and Mancini have scored 8 headed goals in the last season—a striking advantage for Gian Piero Gasperini's side. The data, published by OptaPaolo, underscores how Roma's defensive line will add a significant dimension to set-piece attack, with the pair poised to become dangerous threats from corners and free kicks.

Kostas Koulierakis has completed his move to AS Roma, becoming the club's second summer signing under director D'Amico. The Greek defender met head coach Gian Piero Gasperini via videoconference on Tuesday evening. Although presented by some as a backup option, Gasperini views him—like fellow new arrival Artem Dovbyk—as a core addition to the squad rather than reserve cover. Gasperini pushed for the upgrades after Roma finished third and qualified for the Champions League, seeking improvements across multiple fronts: numerically, technically, and tactically. With Zeki Çelik's departure confirmed and moves away for both Salah Eddine and Angeliño imminent, Roma's full-back options have thinned to just Devyne Rensch and Wesley, both capable on either flank. The recruitment team is pursuing two more wide defenders—targets include Read with Fresneda as an alternative, and Cacciamani—all of whom Gasperini has already approved. The club also plans to add further attacking reinforcements in the coming weeks, with Nusa identified as an immediate priority and Endrick a longer-term target. D'Amico's push to accelerate business reflects the board's backing for Gasperini's vision and focus on squad improvement rather than other institutional matters.

Kostas Koulierakis has completed his move to AS Roma, becoming the club's second summer signing under director D'Amico. The Greek defender met head coach Gian Piero Gasperini via videoconference on Tuesday evening. Although presented by some as a backup option, Gasperini views him—like fellow new arrival Artem Dovbyk—as a core addition to the squad rather than reserve cover. Gasperini pushed for the upgrades after Roma finished third and qualified for the Champions League, seeking improvements across multiple fronts: numerically, technically, and tactically. With Zeki Çelik's departure confirmed and moves away for both Salah Eddine and Angeliño imminent, Roma's full-back options have thinned to just Devyne Rensch and Wesley, both capable on either flank. The recruitment team is pursuing two more wide defenders—targets include Read with Fresneda as an alternative, and Cacciamani—all of whom Gasperini has already approved. The club also plans to add further attacking reinforcements in the coming weeks, with Nusa identified as an immediate priority and Endrick a longer-term target. D'Amico's push to accelerate business reflects the board's backing for Gasperini's vision and focus on squad improvement rather than other institutional matters.

Angeliño has sealed a transfer to Deportivo La Coruña, returning to the Spanish club where he began his professional career. The Roma left-back will join on loan with a purchase option valued at €2 million. The deal represents an exit following a difficult season plagued by serious injury problems, and Angeliño failed to convince head coach Gian Piero Gasperini during the opening weeks of pre-season training. The clubs have reached an agreement with paperwork and contract signatures to follow shortly. The 28-year-old Spanish defender's departure marks an expected conclusion after limited involvement in Gasperini's plans at Roma. His injury troubles in the previous campaign significantly hampered his availability, and the new coaching regime has opted to move him on rather than retain him as a squad option. The loan-with-option structure allows Roma to offload his wages while maintaining a potential sell-on avenue should Depor choose to exercise the €2 million clause.

Roma have moved swiftly to strengthen their squad ahead of their pre-season tour in Wales and subsequent friendly in Brighton. Sporting director D'Amico has virtually wrapped up the signing of Greek defender Koulierakis from Torino, who demanded 12 million euros. The 2003-born left-footer, standing 194 centimetres tall, will serve as Mario Hermoso's backup after Gasperini identified the need for additional defensive depth at the start of summer. In parallel developments, Salah-Eddine has moved to Olympiakos for 7 million euros plus 1 million in bonuses—a deal that provides the club with valuable financial gain through player sales. Angeliño is close to departing, returning to Deportivo la Coruña on a free loan with a 2 million euro option to buy. D'Amico is pursuing young prospect Cacciamani as a potential talent to develop under Gasperini. The most complex negotiation concerns an attacking winger. RB Leipzig's Nusa carries a 60 million euro valuation deemed unreachable. Attention has shifted to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli of Real Betis, whose 60 million euro release clause sits well above current discussions; Betis want 40 million euros while Roma have offered 35 million. Gasperini views Cacciamani as a young option to develop behind the primary winger, currently Wesley, though the coach's ambition remains pursuit of Moreira.