Roma targets Greenwood, Zirkzee and more in summer striker hunt

Jonathan Rowe, Bologna's striker, has praised Santiago Castro's move to Roma and offered warm words about Artem Dovbyk, who has made the reverse journey from the Giallorossi to Bologna this summer. Rowe told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'm happy for him. I wish him to grow further at Roma because he's an excellent player and a friend. It will be very strange to face him, we hope he does well except against us." On Dovbyk, who departed Roma for Bologna, Rowe said: "For me he's a top player. He has physicality, technique, he sees the goal. He has everything to do well and to get his revenge. I'm very happy he's with us." The comments reflect the close relationship between the two Serie A sides, with Castro and Dovbyk swapping clubs in the current transfer window.

Torino have opened talks with Evan Ferguson regarding a potential move to Serie A, according to reports. The Giallorossi forward, currently on loan at Roma, is being targeted by the Turin club as they seek attacking reinforcement ahead of the 2026–27 season. Torino's injury worries — particularly with Zapata dealing with a knee problem, Adams in the squad, and Njie potentially departing — have prompted the club to explore fresh options in the final third. Ferguson scored five goals during his time in a Roma shirt but endured a complicated campaign hampered by injuries, which necessitated surgical intervention. The 22-year-old arrived at the Stadio Olimpico on loan from Brighton with a €40 million option to buy last summer. His injury struggles and limited opportunities have now caught the attention of Torino, who believe a fresh start in Turin could benefit both player and club. Initial contact between Torino and Ferguson's representatives has been made to assess the feasibility and terms of a potential transfer.

Roma have revived their interest in Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe as they continue to strengthen their squad for the 2026–27 season, but the English talent has firmly closed the door on a move. Following the closure of the Molina operation, Roma identified Rowe as a potential left-sided winger to meet Gasperini's requirements. However, the path to a deal appears blocked: Bologna have already rejected an offer of approximately €30 million from Everton and regard Rowe as non-transferable. Roma have engaged with Rowe's representatives, though the chances of securing him remain low. Rowe himself has made his position clear in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, stating: "I am a Bologna player. This is a great club, with clear ideas and a new project that I am focused on one hundred per cent on. I feel part of this world, I do not think of anything else and nothing else interests me." The transfer approach comes after the pista Nusa cooled owing to cost considerations. Roma's pursuit of alternatives underscores Gasperini's continued search for a right-footed left winger to complete his attacking arsenal. Rowe also offered a warm message for Santiago Castro, who recently arrived at Roma from Bologna: "I am happy for him. I wish him to grow even more at Roma because he is an excellent player and a friend. It will be very strange to face him, we hope he does well… except against us."

Roma face Brighton on Saturday 8 August at 16:00 at the Amex Stadium in their sixth pre-season friendly. The match will be the third and final test of Roma's summer tour. Following victories over Primavera and Trastevere, a draw with Cannes, a defeat to Cardiff City, and a win against Newport County on Tuesday, Gian Piero Gasperini's side continue their build-up to the 2026–27 season. Roma will be without two players for the fixture. Niccolò Pisilli is sidelined by injury and expected to return the following week, while Bah faces a longer absence due to a cruciate ligament rupture. Brighton, managed by Hürzeler, will provide the final acid test before Roma's competitive campaign begins. Brighton vs Roma will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN with a 16:00 kickoff on Saturday 8 August. Viewers can access the stream via the DAZN app on smart TV, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google Chromecast, or TIM VISION Box. Live coverage and social media updates will also be available on Forzaroma.info, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Roma completed their final day of training in Wales on 6 August with a double session at Hensol, the first at 10.30 and the second at 16.00. Donyell Malen returned to group training after working separately the previous day, while Niccolò Pisilli remained unavailable and will rejoin the squad the following week. The club flies to London on 7 August before heading to Brighton for the final stage of their pre-season tour in the United Kingdom. Roma will face Brighton in a friendly on 8 August at 15.00 (16.00 Italian time), a rematch of their 2024 Europa League encounter. The squad will return to Rome immediately after the match. Two further pre-season fixtures follow: a test against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, and their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August.

Alessio Cacciamani, a 19-year-old from Jesi, has made a smooth transition from Torino's youth academy to professional football after an impressive loan spell this season at Juve Stabia in Serie B under manager Abate. Originally a left-winger who scored 12 goals in Under 18 competition in the 2023–24 season, Cacciamani was repositioned as a left-wing-back by Abate to exploit his offensive progression, stamina and physical resilience. The conversion required tactical refinement to develop a defensive phase befitting the role, though his primary strengths remain offensive. The 2007-born midfielder has represented Italy at youth level, earning 10 appearances in Under 19 and one in Under 21. His pathway has intersected with Roma's academy prospects: he faced Niccolò Pisilli and Cherubini at youth level, with both playing alongside him in Italy's 4–0 Under 21 victory over Macedonia in March 2026. Most notably, Cacciamani and Pisilli were both included in Baldini's senior Italy squad for the friendly against Greece on 7 June 2026, marking a convergence of two young talents on the international stage despite their youth and separate club circumstances.