Smalling praises Mourinho's impact at Roma

Radio commentators across Rome's airwaves have assessed the club's summer transfer activity, with particular focus on Álvaro Molina's arrival and the rejection of other targets. Di Giovambattista reported that Gasperini rejected Godts, who is now joining PSG, while the coach preferred Read—a deal that collapsed when Feyenoord demanded €35 million, a fee Roma deemed excessive. Roma have spent €35 million on Castro, €18 million on Kourilaski, and €13 million on Molina, totalling €66 million so far, with Gasperini requesting two more signings. Molina, signed from Atlético Madrid at €13 million plus €4 million in bonuses on a €2.5 million annual wage, has won widespread approval from the panel. Pruzzo described him as "a reliable player with experience and total physical dependability," while Mattioli called it "an excellent signing." Orsi suggested Molina will operate as a wing-back in Gasperini's three-man system, noting he is "covered on the shoulders" defensively. Multiple voices highlighted that Roma remain in the hunt for a left winger—Nusa is listed as the top target—though the Lipsia's €130 million sale of Diomandé may price that option out of reach. Rossomando noted Roma's spending philosophy has shifted: "The next piece will be the left winger, which will give more strength to that department." The club is reportedly earmarking €170 million for the transfer window overall.

Roma's transfer activity continues to take shape as negotiations over a move for Molina from Atlético Madrid advance, with agreement between the clubs already in place and details being finalised with the player, according to commentary on Roman radio. The move represents an upgrade on Zeki Çelik at left-back, following the collapse of earlier attempts to sign Read from Feyenoord. Felici questioned the market's inflation, citing the €25 million paid for Robinio Vaz as excessive, whilst observing that established players like Molina command more realistic valuations than emerging talent. Carina argued that Roma remain behind schedule in constructing their squad for the coming season. Gasperini is awaiting the arrival of at least four wide players to implement his preferred system, and with the pre-season phase underway to test the squad, the club still has structural gaps to address. Carina stated: "If the summer is being used to trial the squad ahead of the season then Roma is in arrears. In prospect of the league it still looks a bit short, because this is when you should be working with the squad that will define the season. There are still some holes." Pruzzo offered a critical assessment of defender Koulierakis following a friendly on 4 August, saying: "Koulierakis yesterday did not make a great impression on me. He seemed a bit approximate and made many sloppy passes. I didn't understand whether he is a defender who wants to hold his position or go to meet the attacker. I hope I'm wrong and that he is a player with the strength to play as a defensive utility man." Ryan Friedkin made a surprise appearance at the friendly.

Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo has urged the club to pursue Dodô rather than invest in Read, arguing that the side needs proven certainty this season. Speaking on Radio Radio, Pruzzo said: "Read? The Roma should go for Dodô instead of investing in a 20-year-old prospect. This year the giallorossi must seek certainties and it would be better to go for a safe experienced player. Before investing 30 million on a player who already knows Serie A." Pruzzo's intervention reflects ongoing debate over Roma's transfer strategy and the balance between youth development and immediate squad reinforcement. Meanwhile, radio commentator Piero Torri raised broader concerns about the club's direction during an appearance on Radio Manà Manà Sport. Torri stated: "Roma in recent years has been losing a bit of romanismo inside itself. I think of the departure of Claudio Ranieri, and obviously the failure to bring Francesco Totti in giallorosso. There the situation has been without news for a long time." Torri's remarks highlight frustration among observers about the club's handling of two figures closely associated with Roma's identity—Ranieri's exit from his managerial role in 2025 and the ongoing discussions surrounding Totti's potential involvement in the club's 2027 centenary plans.

Roma's attacking department has been decimated ahead of the 2026–27 season, with coach Gian Piero Gasperini now overseeing just five senior forwards for the role — down from ten options at the end of January. The remaining quartet consists of Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Robinio Vaz, with young prospect Arena also available. The collapse mirrors Gasperini's repeated public calls for investment in attack. Speaking exactly a year ago on 4 August 2025 at the English national team's St. George Park facility in Burton Upon Trent, Gasperini outlined his philosophy: "It concerns all clubs that spend large sums on attackers. The offensive department is the most sought after and most expensive. Teams with strong attacking players are more competitive." That same summer, Roma pursued Fabio Silva and Jadon Sancho without success, settling on a loan move for Romain Bailey as a last-minute solution. By the end of 2025, Roma had assembled eight attacking options — Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Soulé, Baldanzi, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — to fill three positions in Gasperini's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. The winter transfer window swelled that number to ten through the departures of Bailey and Baldanzi and the arrivals of Malen, Vaz, Bryan Zaragoza, and Lorenzo Venturino. However, only Malen performed consistently. With just twenty days until the league campaign begins, Roma faces a critical shortage. The club is reportedly making another approach for Nusa and preparing a move for Fofana to bolster the depleted ranks.

Roma suffered a 4–1 defeat to Cardiff in what appears to be a pre-season fixture. Gian Piero Gasperini's reaction to the hosts' first goal was notably frustrated, though he remained composed as further goals followed. Paulo Dybala scored for Roma, but the performance was marked by defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion. The defeat highlighted areas of concern for Roma ahead of the new season. Tensions emerged on the pitch during the match, with Dybala and Matías Soulé involved in a discussion with Bryan Cristante. Gasperini addressed the squad's preparation afterwards, remarking on their lack of focus and emphasizing the need to complete the squad roster as soon as possible. The result comes as Roma continue their pre-season preparations and work on the transfer market. Evan Ferguson made his debut for the club during the match, while other transfer activity continues to develop, with reported interest in Read and ongoing discussions about Soulé's future.

Santiago Castro has arrived at Roma as the summer's first signing, with the class of 2004 striker set to partner or rotate with Donyell Malen as Gasperini builds attacking depth for a season that includes Champions League football. Castro was welcomed by supporters at Termini Station two days before his official presentation; his role will not be secondary, as the dual-striker system has been a recurring theme throughout Gasperini's tenure at Atalanta. Gasperini's track record shows a consistent preference for rotating or pairing two attacking players. At Atalanta, he deployed Petagna and Cornelius (2017–18, 6 goals each) before signing Duvan Zapata from Sampdoria for 26 million euros total and adopting a 3-4-1-2 formation with two strikers. Zapata and Alfredo Morelos combined for 38 goals in 2019–20 (19 each), while Zapata and Alejandro Muriel posted 19 and 26 goals respectively in 2020–21. Later signings included Matteo Scamacca, who scored 19 times in 2023–24, and eventually Mateo Retegui, who managed 28 goals last season while playing as sole striker or in partnership—the lone exception to Gasperini's two-striker preference that still delivered Champions League qualification. At Roma, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson have been ruled out through injury and poor form; Malen's 15 goals secured European football. Castro joins a squad that also includes Robinio Vaz and reportedly others, offering Gasperini the flexibility to deploy two forward options when needed.