Roma targeting striker ahead of Wales fixture as Gasperini awaits first reinforcement

Manchester United have offered Marcus Rashford to Roma as the two clubs explore a transfer corridor in the coming days. The 27-year-old winger, who featured for England at the World Cup, is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford following Barcelona's decision not to activate a purchase option. United manager Carrick has placed him on the exit list. Rashford represents a quality signing with significant international experience, but Roma face a major obstacle: his current salary of approximately €11 million per year is unaffordable for the club. Any potential deal—whether permanent or on loan—would require United to contribute substantially toward his wages. Manu Koné has simultaneously attracted interest from United, suggesting a possible player-exchange axis between the clubs.

Manchester United have offered Marcus Rashford to Roma as part of discussions over Manu Koné. The English club are keen on Koné but consider Roma's €60 million valuation too high and are attempting to reduce the asking price. In response, they have proposed Rashford, who has returned from a loan spell at Barcelona and is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford. Rashford's wages present a significant obstacle to any deal. The winger earns €11 million per season, a salary structure that concerns Roma's management. A permanent transfer appears unlikely; Rashford could only arrive on loan, but Manchester United would need to subsidise part of his salary—an arrangement Roma currently view as improbable. Director D'Amico continues pursuing a left-winger to provide head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with long-awaited reinforcement on that flank. Nusa remains Roma's primary target, with El Mala ruled out entirely. Leao is also being monitored but faces significant competition from other clubs.

Al-Hilal confirmed the signing of Summerville and used the announcement to taunt Roma. The Saudi club posted a video with the text 'All roads lead to...' followed by 'Riyadh'—a pointed jab at the Serie A side after winning the race for the player. Al-Hilal paid West Ham approximately €70 million in fixed fees and bonuses, and handed Summerville a contract worth €15 million per season. The financial package proved decisive in keeping Roma out of the running, despite their readiness to bring the Dutch forward to the capital. Gasperini's side must now pursue alternative targets to strengthen their wing options. D'Amico is working on securing an outside option for the head coach, with Nusa among the primary candidates. Roma are also monitoring Leao as a potential addition to their attack.

Roma will face Cannes in a friendly match on Sunday 26 July, with kickoff at 17:30. The fixture represents the Giallorossi's third pre-season test under Gasperini, following successive 6–0 victories over the Primavera and Trastevere. Cannes, owned by the Friedkin Group, will offer a more demanding examination than those earlier opponents as Roma's summer preparation continues. Gasperini is expected to deploy Bah alongside Cristante in midfield due to a shortage of alternatives in that area. In attack, Malen and Dybala are likely to feature, with the latter already showing excellent form during the pre-season campaign. This match will give the coach more significant insights into the work completed so far in the preparation period. The match will be broadcast exclusively live on DAZN. Viewers can watch via the DAZN app on smart TV, gaming consoles including Xbox and PlayStation, or alternative devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast and TIM VISION Box. An active DAZN subscription is required. Live updates will also be available through Forzaroma.info's live blog and Roma's social media channels on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo has called for the club to make a high-profile acquisition in the transfer market, while radio pundit Orsi has criticised the window's progress so far. Speaking on Radio Radio, Pruzzo said: "Anyone can sign players for 50 million. Fans expect a coup like Malen. Now I expect the club to raise its level, without taking part in auctions that so far haven't made it look good. The delay on the market risks undermining Gasperini's work." Orsi added that while head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has not yet complained publicly, the lack of arrivals represents a disappointment. "Gasp isn't banging his fist on the table, even though nobody has arrived yet," Orsi said on the same station. "With D'Amico they haven't failed yet, but certainly this situation wasn't expected. A few other targets could have been acquired. At the moment the market is disappointing." The comments reflect growing frustration among Roma's fanbase and observers about the club's sluggish activity in what is a critical window under new manager Gasperini, appointed in 2025.

Roma's transfer market strategy has drawn criticism from former striker Roberto Pruzzo, who says the club must elevate its ambitions in the coming weeks. Speaking on Radio Radio Mattino, Pruzzo remarked that while any club can spend €50 million on players, supporters expect Roma to land a statement signing comparable to Donyell Malen. He stated: "I expect the club to raise the level, without taking part in auctions that so far have not given it a good showing. The delay on the market risks invalidating Gasperini's work." Gasperini took charge this year and is tasked with rebuilding Roma's credentials after a turbulent period. The criticism reflects frustration that, despite the appointment of a highly regarded coach, the transfer window has been underwhelming so far. Fellow radio pundit Nando Orsi echoed similar sentiments, noting that while head coach Gasperini has not yet made forceful demands in the market and no major exits have occurred under his stewardship, the overall market activity falls short of expectations. Orsi stated: "Gasp is not banging his fists on the table, even though no one has arrived yet. With D'Amico they haven't failed yet, but certainly this situation was not expected. A few other targets could have been picked up. For now, the market is disappointing."

Artem Dovbyk is set to leave AS Roma this window, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini having ruled the Ukrainian striker out of his plans. Roma's hierarchy is actively working to find a buyer, seeking a permanent transfer for a fee in excess of 20 million euros. Genoa, Fiorentina and Villareal have all shown interest, though no club has yet made a formal advance. The Kean variable could prove decisive in Dovbyk's future. Como are pushing hard to sign the striker, which would force Fiorentina to hunt for an alternative forward — a scenario in which Dovbyk could become the ideal solution. Fiorentina's sporting director Paratici is reportedly eyeing a loan with a right to buy, whereas Roma insists on an obligation to purchase. Negotiations are ongoing, but Roma's position is clear: Dovbyk will depart. The club awaits the right buyer to complete the move. Gasperini's priority is to bring in a new deputy for Donyell Malen in attack.

Roma's plans to strengthen the attack are dependent on outgoings first. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants a new partner to support Donyell Malen, but the club must lighten its forward line and free up wage space before investing. Artem Dovbyk is the primary target for departure, with his sale crucial for Roma to raise funds and create salary room. The Ukrainian striker has attracted interest from Genoa and Fiorentina, while Bologna are monitoring a potential swap involving Santiago Castro, and Villarreal are also keeping watch from abroad. In addition to Dovbyk's permanent exit, Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico plans to move young Robinio Vaz out on loan to guarantee him regular playing time. The capital club's strategy is now clearly defined: reduce the wage bill, generate the necessary resources, and then pursue the attacking reinforcement requested by Gasperini. The restructuring of the squad reflects Roma's intention to reshape the forward department while maintaining financial discipline.

Antonio Nusa of RB Leipzig remains Gian Piero Gasperini's first choice for the left-wing position, but Roma's summer planning continues to clash with negotiating reality. The German club's €60 million valuation is beyond Roma's parameters, with Newcastle also strongly positioned for the player. Nusa, who cuts infield from the left flank, became the priority after failed moves for Greenwood and Summerville. On outgoings, Manchester United continues to pursue midfielder Manu Koné and is prepared to offer €55 million. Roma are also working on a deputy striker to Donyell Malen, anticipating departures of Artem Dovbyk and young prospect Robinio Vaz. Club Brugge rejected Roma's opening bid of €35 million for striker Nicolò Tresoldi, considering the 2004-born forward untouchable following their €40 million sale of Tzolis, though Manchester United has also entered the race. Roma have turned attention to Bologna's Santiago Castro, the Argentine striker valued at approximately €40 million by the Emiliani, who may negotiate if presented with €30–32 million plus bonuses; Castro scored 11 goals last season. Separately, Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal remains unresolved, with the prospect of departure on a free transfer becoming increasingly concrete without a final agreement.