Rowe backs Castro at Roma, praises Dovbyk as top player

Torino president Urbano Cairo has reiterated his determination to keep left-back Alessio Cacciamani, the class of 2007, despite interest from Roma and other clubs. Speaking to Sky Sport, Cairo said: "I'm keeping him very close to me. There is a lot of interest in him, not just from Roma. I'd really like to keep him. Then we'll see how the market develops and how things end up. I don't want to say I'm 100% sure he will stay with us, but I hope to do a series of other things so he can remain with us." Roma, preparing for a friendly against Brighton at 16:00 Italian time in their final test of their overseas training camp, have made Cacciamani a priority for the left-back position as they look to complete their external defensive line and focus on the attacking department. The arrival of Molina is imminent, and Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract renewal has been confirmed. Cacciamani, a favourite of Torino's new coach Abate, has been identified as the prime target for Roma's left flank. Cairo acknowledged the precarious nature of the situation, stating: "It depends on the offers but also on the alternatives we have going out. We need to do something, because otherwise an economic situation opens up that isn't brilliant. So we need to do something in departures too, because so far we've done almost only arrivals. I don't want to make empty promises; I'd like Cacciamani to be with us all next year. We're working so that this can happen."

Roma have entered the running to sign Teun Koopmeiners from Juventus, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Dutch midfielder, 28, has fallen out of favour under Luciano Spalletti at the Allianz Stadium and is expected to leave Turin before the close of the summer window. Juventus paid Atalanta €55 million to sign Koopmeiners in 2024, but he has failed to settle. Last season he made 33 Serie A appearances, starting just 18 matches, and finished without a single goal contribution. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to strengthen the midfield, with Manu Koné's future uncertain amid reported interest from Manchester United. If Koné departs, Roma would need to fill a significant gap in the engine room, and Koopmeiners has been identified as a potential target. The Giallorossi are optimistic about their chances given that Champions League football is returning to the capital. However, Roma face competition from the Premier League, with Aston Villa and Manchester United also reportedly considering a move for the former AZ Alkmaar player.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a contract extension with AS Roma keeping him at the club until 30 June 2027. The club confirmed the agreement on 8 August 2026, with the midfielder committing to a one-year renewal. Roma said in an official statement: "The AS Roma is pleased to announce the agreement reached for the extension of Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract. Grown in the Giallorossi youth sector, the player will continue to tie his career to the colours of the Capital. Pellegrini's decision to accept the club's proposal demonstrates the deep sharing of the sporting vision and values of the Romanist project." The renewal secures continuity in the squad under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of the 2026-27 season, in which Roma will compete in the Champions League. The agreement also closes the door on approach work from several Premier League clubs and Juventus in recent weeks. Pellegrini, a Roma academy product, previously played in Europe's elite competition between 2017 and 2019.

Roma radio commentators have dissected coach Gian Piero Gasperini's sudden withdrawal from media duties, with speculation linking his frustration to the club's transfer strategy and budget constraints. Matera reported that Gasperini did not attend a scheduled Sky interview after being in contact with the club hierarchy on Thursday, with Ryan Friedkin reportedly in France during the call. Matera noted that until Wednesday evening Gasperini had appeared calm, but something shifted Thursday night: "Gasperini was dedicated to signatures and photographs, something changed Thursday evening, because he did not present himself for the interview." Camelio suggested Gasperini had grown impatient with Roma's handling of summer deals, citing the lack of speed with Bergamo's executives over targets. He argued the club should have prioritized a wide player over centre-forward Artem Castro, pointing out that Dovbyk could have remained on the bench and noting Roma also has Robinio Vaz available. Camelio stated: "I would have gone all-in for the winger instead of taking Castro. Rowe is a player tailor-made for him." He added that Gasperini's silence this summer contrasts sharply with his talkative approach last season about the market, and suggested the club had reduced his salary budget, which irritated him. Marcacci argued that winger candidates may yet emerge from Serie A, naming Rowe and Leao as possibilities. Both commentators agreed that without an arriving winger, Roma would have a significant gap that validates Gasperini's concerns.

AS Roma have completed the signing of Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid on a right-back role. The transfer package is worth €13 million in fixed fees, with a further €4 million available in performance bonuses. Molina has signed a contract until 30 June 2030. The Argentine's arrival will have a measurable impact on Roma's financial statements for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2027. The amortisation charge for the 2026-27 season is expected to be €3.25 million, based on the contract length. Molina will earn €2.8 million net per season (including bonuses), equivalent to €5.18 million gross. Combined with the amortisation cost, the total expense for Molina on Roma's 2026-27 accounts is projected at €8.43 million. The move follows Roma's earlier summer business involving Atlético Madrid and Bologna, which saw Artem Dovbyk arrive at the club. Molina's signing represents a continued investment in the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Roma defeated Newport 4–1 in a pre-season friendly in Wales, with Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk combining in attack. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring from a regista role in the 37th minute before Castro converted a penalty kick in the second half. Koulierakis added a third from a Dybala assist, and Matías Soulé finished with a curling strike; Newport scored a consolation goal. Donyell Malen was absent due to fever. Ryan Friedkin attended the match and will weigh in on ongoing transfer activity. Roma's pursuit of Feyenoord winger Read has stalled after the Dutch club raised their asking price to over €30 million overnight on Monday. The demand prompted the club to shift focus to Atlético Madrid's Molina, with Roma lodging an offer of approximately €17 million (including bonuses). Molina, a former Udinese player, currently earns €2.8 million annually in Spain. Other defensive targets remain under consideration, including Savona and Fresneda, though funds saved on Read may be redirected to securing an additional winger alongside Molina. Roma has narrowed Torino's valuation for Cacciamani and a decisive meeting with the Turin club is scheduled today. The club also plans a final push for Nusa, with Lyon midfielder Fofana lined up as a backup option if that approach fails.