Soulé's form and fitness concerns push him down Gasperini's pecking order

Santiago Castro completed his first training session with Roma on Tuesday at Trigoria before the squad departs for Wales. The Argentine, officially confirmed as the club's opening signing of the transfer window, was immediately integrated into group work by Gasperini, who used a game of tag to settle the newcomer in. The activity involved the entire squad and Castro adapted quickly, with teammates responding positively to his arrival. Hermoso marked Castro's debut with a characteristically robust challenge during a small-sided match, sending a clear message about Roma's work ethic and competitive standards. The physical reception underscored the club's culture: players joke and train together, but no quarter is given on the pitch. Roma's training camp moves to Wales later this week for the second phase of pre-season, where temperatures will be far more moderate than the 40-degree heat currently gripping the capital.

Robinio Vaz has returned to full training with Roma's squad ahead of the club's upcoming training camp in Wales, which departs tomorrow. The young French striker has recovered from a knee injury sustained at Trigoria just over two weeks ago and trained with his teammates on the day of the announcement. Vaz's availability strengthens Gasperini's options as Roma prepare for the season ahead. The 2009-born forward faces increased competition for minutes following the arrival of Castro, but remains committed to his development at the club and aims to earn more playing time as a backup to Donyell Malen. The midfielder's return from injury comes at a crucial juncture for Roma's preparations, providing the head coach with additional depth in his attacking setup for the Welsh training camp.

Robinio Vaz has returned to group training after 16 days out with a knee problem, boosting Gian Piero Gasperini's options before Roma departs for the second phase of their winter retreat in Wales. The French forward has recovered from his injury and will travel with the squad to Hensol Castle, where the Giallorossi will continue their preparations. Gasperini arrives in Wales with an expanded attacking pool. Vaz joins Castro and Koulierakis in returning to availability, giving the coach additional depth in the offensive department. The 16-day absence means Vaz has had time to build fitness and will look to make an immediate impact in the retreat sessions. Vaz is determined to secure a more prominent role within the squad rather than settle as a backup option. His recovery represents an important boost for a player eager to earn Gasperini's trust and create genuine competition in Roma's attacking ranks—a scenario the coach is ready to embrace.

Roma radio commentators have offered conflicting assessments of the club's transfer strategy heading into the final month of the window. Ilario Di Giovambattista rated Nusa's arrival at Roma as 85% likely, describing him as a strong signing and suggesting that adding him alongside Malen, Dybala and Castro would form an attractive attacking unit. He noted that head coach Gasperini deploys six players across the front line during matches. Other voices struck a more cautious tone. Roberto Pruzzo estimated only a 10% chance that Nusa joins Roma. The transfer priority debate also centred on full-back depth: Piero Torri argued that Roma must sign two wing-backs after Zeki Çelik's departure, stating the club currently has only Wesley and Devyne Rensch in those positions. "You have to compulsorily take two players, and one must be a starter," Torri said, adding that a month remains before the market closes. Vocalelli expressed confidence in the Friedkin Group's spending plans, noting they have consistently invested funds and will address remaining squad needs. Nando Orsi referenced Gasperini's preference for depth at every position, questioning whether the new CEO understands that Gasperini commands final say on recruitment.

Roma face Cardiff City in a pre-season friendly on 1 August at 16:00 at Cardiff City Stadium, marking their first match of the Wales training camp following earlier warm-up fixtures against Primavera, Trastevere and Cannes. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will field a 3-4-2-1 formation: Svilar in goal; Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso across the back; Rensch and Wesley as wing-backs; El Aynaoui and Cristante in midfield; Dybala and Soulé in attacking support; with Malen leading the line. Tickets for the friendly are available through Cardiff City's official website. The match will be shown live on streaming platform DAZN, with a repeat broadcast at 21:30 on Italian channel NOVE. Live text coverage with real-time updates will be available on ilromanista.eu.

Matías Soulé's future at Roma continues to hang in the balance despite the arrival of fellow Argentine attacker Castro, who completes the club's all-Argentine attacking line alongside Paulo Dybala. The former Frosinone winger has been proposed to AC Milan, though the Rossoneri must first resolve the departure of Rafael Leão. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Soulé has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, England, and Germany through exploratory calls, though no concrete offers have materialised. Roma's number 18 is not entirely excluded from the Giallorossi project, but the club would consider a departure if the right financial proposal arrives. The scouting activity around the Argentine signals he is not untouchable, despite his presence in the squad for the 2025–26 season. Soulé recently welcomed Castro on social media with a message saying 'benvenuto fratello' (welcome brother), though the prospect of the two combining regularly in Roma colours may prove only a fleeting possibility.

Roma's squad returned to their Fulvio Bernardini training base yesterday afternoon after a friendly against Cannes that ended 3–3 in France, and have been granted a double session today ahead of the new season. Neil El Aynaoui is expected to rejoin the group at Trigoria after representing Morocco at the World Cup, where they were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals. His return will give head coach Gian Piero Gasperini additional midfield depth, with Niccolò Pisilli currently sidelined by injury and Manu Koné absent following France's World Cup campaign that ended in a third-place playoff loss to England. With the Serie A opener against Fiorentina less than a month away, Roma are building their competitive shape in earnest. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar told reporters: "We're working physically a lot, so the results cannot be seen today or in a few days. We need another month of work to really be in good shape and fortunately we have it ahead of us before the real matches arrive." Bryan Cristante and youth academy players have carried the midfield load during the first phase of pre-season. The squad travels to Wales tomorrow to Vale Resort at Hensol, where they will face Cardiff on 1 August, Newport on 4 August, and Brighton on 8 August. Roma return to Rome before the final warm-up fixture against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August.

Daniele De Rossi, now manager of Genoa, has reflected on his 2024 dismissal as Roma head coach after four matches. Speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio, the former Roma captain and manager said his exit warranted greater dignity. De Rossi expressed frustration at the brevity of his tenure, stating: "I was furious when I was sacked, I was upset. I had my rivals and I felt beaten in a battle I did not fight, because after four matches there was no time to bring the team out. I made a press conference at SPAL and regretted it shortly after. It's not nice to show that you're bitter. My history at Roma was not perfect and linear, but it did not deserve an exit of this kind. I don't find it elegant to air dirty laundry: sometimes you have to defend yourself, but there are proper forums to do so. I should have done it earlier, when I was there." De Rossi acknowledged his analytical approach to his current role with Genoa, explaining his preference for developing young players. He said: "Reading one's own mistakes is the foundation. Once you've been dismissed you can only lick your wounds and analyse your failures. When I started the season at Roma, which lasted very little, I asked why we needed another midfielder when there was Pisilli. It's a bit easier to say it now, but watching the training sessions I had this feeling and I carry this mentality forward even now. I try to get the young players playing to understand how they can improve and above all to understand whether the president needs to buy something or perhaps we can rely on our own." De Rossi also discussed his choice of music when announcing his playing retirement, selecting the Oasis track "Sunday Morning Call". He explained: "Yes, I put a lot of thought into it, I didn't want it to be banal, I wanted it to say something. Sunday Morning Call is one of my favourite songs; football is no longer played on Sundays, but it's a hallmark of our generation."

Manu Koné's future at Roma remains uncertain as Manchester United intensifies contact with the midfielder's representatives, though no formal offer has arrived at the club yet. Chelsea and Arsenal are also keen on the 24-year-old, prompting Roma to begin scouting alternatives. Diarra of Sunderland has emerged as a potential successor should Koné depart. The departure of Koné would force Roma into the transfer market to bolster midfield depth. Without him, the squad would rely solely on Cristante, El Aynaoui, and Pisilli in that area. The club has set Koné's valuation at approximately 60 million euros and the Friedkin Group has no intention of accepting below their asking price. With Premier League interest intensifying, Roma's search for an alternative midfielder has begun in earnest. The club's recruitment strategy hinges on whether any interested club meets their valuation for the French midfielder.