Roma still waiting for reinforcements as transfer window stalls

Roma's pursuit of Givairo Read has collapsed after Feyenoord unexpectedly raised their demands during final-stage talks. Roma had offered approximately €28–29 million in total, including bonuses, moving closer to Feyenoord's initial €30 million valuation and exceeding rival offers from Nottingham Forest. After requesting a night to consider the proposal, Feyenoord shifted position dramatically, demanding €30 million plus bonuses to reach nearly €35 million—a move that reportedly frustrated Roma's hierarchy. The sudden escalation prompted Roma to immediately abandon the Read option and pivot to pursuing Molina instead. The breakdown underscores the volatility of late-stage transfer negotiations and the tactical positioning often deployed by selling clubs to maximize fees. Roma's swift decision to walk away suggests the club's preference for alternative targets over capitulating to what they viewed as unreasonable late demands.

Roma are on the verge of completing the permanent acquisition of right-back Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid. Head coach Gasperini is set to welcome the Argentine defender after the two clubs reached agreement on a fee of €13 million plus €4 million in bonuses, according to Sky Sport and Fabrizio Romano. Molina has already signalled his approval of the move, with only contractual details remaining to be finalised. Roma are working towards a deal worth €2.8 million annually—the same salary Molina earned at Madrid but with a longer contract duration. The transfer is expected to be completed between today and tomorrow, barring any unforeseen complications.

Alessio Cacciamani, an 18-year-old left-back prospect from Torino's academy, has emerged as a target for Roma this summer as the club seeks to strengthen its left-side options. Gasperini has followed Cacciamani closely after his loan spell at Juve Stabia last season in Serie B, where he made 33 appearances totalling 2,331 minutes, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists. New Italy manager Roberto Mancini is also monitoring the young talent, and Cacciamani has already featured in senior international fixtures. Roma are reportedly willing to pay close to €12 million to prise him away from Torino, though the club's owner Urbano Cairo is expected to resist the approach. Born in Chiaravalle on 29 June 2007, Cacciamani joined Torino's youth setup in 2023 and progressed through the Under-17 and Under-18 ranks before being promoted to the Primavera side in the 2024–25 season, where he accumulated 20 appearances. First-team manager Paolo Vanoli, now departed, gave him his senior debut. Cacciamani told Sky Sport: "He brought me close to professionalism. I stayed in the first squad for only a few weeks, but that was enough to understand how that world works. I owe much to Vanoli because he believed in my potential and gave me my debut; I was very excited that day." Described as a versatile winger capable of playing full-back, Cacciamani combines pace with strong tactical awareness and positional intelligence—precisely the profile that appeals to Gasperini.

Roma delivered a commanding performance in their second British tour friendly on 4 August, dismantling Newport County 4–1 at Rodney Parade. Castro and Koulierakis both started and scored, with Castro netting the second goal and Koulierakis the third. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring in an unusual midfield deployment, before Matías Soulé added a fourth late on. Newport County pulled one back through Cameron, but it proved irrelevant to the result. The victory came as part of Roma's pre-season preparation under Gian Piero Gasperini and offered promising early signs from the squad. The goals for Castro and Koulierakis marked encouraging contributions from two players in their opening appearances during the tour.

Roma concluded their second pre-season fixture on British soil with a commanding 4–1 victory over Newport County. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring after a cutback from the number 9, before new arrivals Castro and Koulierakis also found the net under Gasperini's watch. Santiago's penalty and a header from Koulierakis extended Roma's lead in the second half, with Matías Soulé sealing the win before Cameron pulled one back for the hosts. The emphatic performance underlined Roma's attacking threat ahead of the 2026–27 season. Gasperini's team displayed clinical finishing across the two halves, with both established squad members and recent additions making an impact. The warm-up matches in England have provided valuable game time as preparations continue towards the competitive campaign.

Roma secured a 4-1 victory over Newport County in their second pre-season friendly in Wales, bouncing back from a heavy defeat to Cardiff. New arrivals Castro and Koulierakis both found the net, along with Hermoso and Soulé, in a convincing performance at a League Two side. Hermoso opened the scoring with a run from deep while operating as a centre midfielder alongside El Aynaoui, and also earned the penalty that Castro converted from the spot for the 2-0 lead. Castro added a second goal later in the match, with Koulierakis also getting on the scoresheet. Gasperini deployed his favoured formation featuring a playmaker—Cristante in this instance—and two strikers, pairing Dybala with Castro. Although Roma asserted early control, they managed the game more efficiently once ahead, allowing both new signings and Soulé to capitalize on chances created.