Wesley Returns to Full Training Ahead of Newport Friendly

Roma are pursuing Brazilian forward Endrick as Gian Piero Gasperini seeks to strengthen his squad further this summer. The club has been tracking the Real Madrid player for more than a month, with technical director D'Amico hoping to replicate the structure of the Nico Paz deal. The breakthrough came when Endrick, a 2006-born prospect, communicated to Real Madrid his desire to leave, according to transfer analyst Yagiz Sabuncuoglu. The player wants to feel like a protagonist and is seeking greater playing time after feeling he is not a priority at the Bernabéu. Gasperini has made it clear he requires at least four reinforcements beyond the two early signings Castro and Koulierakis, who have already integrated well into the squad and scored in today's match against Newport. Endrick's willingness to depart Real Madrid removes what has been the main obstacle to Roma's pursuit. The coach could be the ideal figure to develop the young forward, who is hungry for responsibility and regular opportunities. With Real Madrid's stance shifting, Roma are now positioned to accelerate their approach for the Brazilian.

Roma's pursuit of left-back Cacciamani has stalled after Torino demanded €20 million for the 2007-born defender. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has targeted the player, but Roma consider the asking price too steep. The two clubs remain apart on valuation with no apparent breakthrough in sight. Director of football D'Amico has identified two wingers as priorities to bolster Gasperini's squad this summer. The first target, Read, appears to be off the table. Attention has shifted to Molina, for whom Roma have tabled an opening bid that was rejected, with a revised offer expected. On the left flank, Cacciamani remains the preferred option, though Torino's stance has become a barrier to progress.

Roma secured a 4–0 victory over Newport in a pre-season friendly, bouncing back after a previous defeat to Cardiff. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the match to experiment with new tactical setups, including deploying Mario Hermoso in midfield—a move that proved effective, with the Spanish defender scoring one goal and providing an assist. Paulo Dybala featured prominently during the club's pre-season preparations, though he was relatively quiet in this particular fixture until sustaining a painful challenge from an opponent. The incident sparked a brief altercation on the pitch. Dybala left the field at full-time with ice on his knee as a precautionary measure following the knock, with no immediate alarm raised about the injury. However, this marks a second match in succession in which Dybala has been targeted aggressively by the opposing defence—a concern given his history with injuries. Roma face Brighton on Saturday.

Mario Hermoso put Roma ahead in the 38th minute during their second pre-season friendly in Wales against Newport County at Rodney Parade. Bryan Cristante recovered possession to launch the move, then found Hermoso with the help of a deflection off Castro, with the Spanish defender finishing from close range to settle the opening period at 1–0. Gasperini's side began slowly but grew into the match. Mile Svilar made a vital save in the 14th minute to deny Doidge after the Newport forward was left unmarked, while Paulo Dybala and Castro posed occasional threats in attack. Newport threatened early through Biggins, whose long-range effort struck the crossbar in the 4th minute, but Roma's defence gradually tightened. The friendly served as a fitness-building exercise during the Wales training camp. Donyell Malen was absent through fever. Gasperini made a tactical adjustment in the 36th minute, switching Wesley to the right flank and Devyne Rensch to the left. Jenkins received a booking for Newport in the 40th minute. The match was officiated by Martin, with Tweson-Morris and Hooper as assistants.

Donyell Malen will miss Roma's friendly against Newport this evening (kickoff 19:00) due to fever, though the Dutch winger is expected to return within days and will be available for Saturday's fixture against Brighton at 15:00. Castro takes his place in attack alongside Paulo Dybala, a pairing that worked in a previous friendly at Cardiff. Wesley has recovered from a right ankle problem and was included in the squad. Koulierakis, another recent addition, starts from the first minute. Vice-president Ryan Friedkin joined the squad at Vale Resort ahead of the match. Malen's absence is not deemed serious and he is expected to be fully fit for the Brighton game on Saturday.

Roma bounced back from defeat to Cardiff with a 4–1 victory over Newport County on 4 August, a League Two side, in their second pre-season friendly. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring with a well-timed insertion in the 37th minute, then won a penalty in the second half which Castro converted from the spot in the 53rd minute for his first goal in giallorosso. Nikolaos Koulierakis added a third with a header from a corner in the 59th minute on his competitive debut, before Matías Soulé's precise left-footed finish made it 4–0 in the 81st minute, assisted by Hermoso again. Cameron's goal in the 85th minute provided Newport's only reply. Gasperini fielded a 3–4–1–2 formation with Hermoso deployed unexpectedly in midfield, an experiment the manager described through his subsequent tactical adjustments as worthwhile. Neil El Aynaoui returned to the lineup after recent absence, operating on the left flank alongside Wesley, Bryan Cristante, and Rensch. The match demonstrated squad depth and cohesion: after Dybala was fouled, the entire group rallied around him in support. Young players Lulli and Reale received minutes late on as substitutes. The fixture served as a tactical study during the Welsh leg of Roma's pre-season camp. Roma next face Brighton on Saturday, 10 August, in the most significant test of this opening phase of preparation.

Neil El Aynaoui is pushing hard to establish himself as a key figure in Gasperini's Roma midfield. After a mixed previous season that saw him instrumental in the club's late Champions League push, the midfielder returned from Morocco's World Cup campaign with a minor left knee problem but has integrated fully into group training. To accelerate his fitness, he completes additional solo running sessions around the club's training base, working under close supervision from Gasperini's staff. In a behind-closed-doors match two days ago, El Aynaoui scored twice—once with a header from a Cherubini cross and once from distance—as he competes for regular minutes. El Aynaoui arrived from Lens with a goalscoring reputation, having netted 8 goals in 24 matches. Since joining Roma he has managed only two goals—one in Serie A and one in the Europa League—a return that falls short of expectation. Aston Villa has enquired about him, but his future remains with the Giallorossi. Gasperini faces midfield injury problems: Bah has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, Pisilli is still unavailable, and Koné is expected back only on 10 August. Manchester United continue to pursue Koné without having made a concrete move, but El Aynaoui is determined to climb the hierarchy and carve out a leading role in Roma's midfield.

Roma's midfield contingency plans have unravelled during the early stages of pre-season. Niccolò Pisilli suffered a calf injury after only ten days of training at Trigoria and is unlikely to feature in the remaining friendly matches in Wales, while Bryan Cristante also picked up an injury in the opening test against Cardiff. With Manu Koné on extended leave following France's World Cup campaign until 18 July, and Neil El Aynaoui only recently returning after Morocco's quarter-final exit at the same tournament, Roma's midfielder options are severely depleted ahead of the new season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had entered the summer transfer window with a complete and balanced midfield — two senior players per role, plus academy prospects for rotation during pre-season — but injuries have forced a rethink. El Aynaoui's tournament performances have impressed; his Morocco squad reached the quarter-finals and he featured prominently, continuing the form that earned him inclusion in Africa Cup of Nations glory. During his first season in a Roma shirt, the continental competition had limited his early impact, but once his ambition period ended, the number 8 demonstrated strong technical ability, positioning, and defensive work that convinced Gasperini. With only Cristante and El Aynaoui available in midfield before Roma return to Italy, the Moroccan now has a golden opportunity to establish himself in the hierarchy as the 2026–27 campaign approaches.

Roma play Newport County in a pre-season friendly tonight at Rodney Parade in Wales, kick-off 20:00 Italian time on DAZN. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will use the League Two fixture, just under three weeks before the start of Serie A, to assess his squad's condition and hand a debut to new signing Koulierakis. The match comes four days after Roma's 4–1 defeat to Cardiff City. Wesley is unlikely to feature after sustaining a minor ankle sprain in Saturday's friendly. El Aynaoui is available to return, while Pisilli remains sidelined and requires further days to recover fully from a soleus muscle injury. The friendly provides another opportunity for Gasperini to fine-tune preparations as Roma build towards their league campaign opener.

Roma's vice-president Ryan Friedkin attended the club's match at Newport County on 4 August, as the club's delegation travelled to Wales for the pre-season fixture. Alongside Friedkin, Roma's hierarchy including Gandler and Galantic were present for the encounter. El Aynaoui returned to the squad for the Newport match after a recent absence. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's attacking options remained depleted, with five forwards unavailable. The club continued to pursue transfer targets, with Castro among those in contention for selection. Roma's recruitment efforts also focused on alternative options as the club worked on reinforcements for the season ahead. The visit underlined the Friedkin Group's continued involvement in the club's operations and pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.

Roma bounced back from defeat to Cardiff with a 4–1 victory over Newport County on 4 August, a League Two side, in their second pre-season friendly. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring with a well-timed insertion in the 37th minute, then won a penalty in the second half which Castro converted from the spot in the 53rd minute for his first goal in giallorosso. Nikolaos Koulierakis added a third with a header from a corner in the 59th minute on his competitive debut, before Matías Soulé's precise left-footed finish made it 4–0 in the 81st minute, assisted by Hermoso again. Cameron's goal in the 85th minute provided Newport's only reply. Gasperini fielded a 3–4–1–2 formation with Hermoso deployed unexpectedly in midfield, an experiment the manager described through his subsequent tactical adjustments as worthwhile. Neil El Aynaoui returned to the lineup after recent absence, operating on the left flank alongside Wesley, Bryan Cristante, and Rensch. The match demonstrated squad depth and cohesion: after Dybala was fouled, the entire group rallied around him in support. Young players Lulli and Reale received minutes late on as substitutes. The fixture served as a tactical study during the Welsh leg of Roma's pre-season camp. Roma next face Brighton on Saturday, 10 August, in the most significant test of this opening phase of preparation.

Roma play their second pre-season match in Wales against Newport County at 20:00 today. The fixture comes after a defeat to Cardiff, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini looking for a positive response ahead of the Serie A campaign's start. The club confirmed the squad's presence in south Wales, with Gandler, Ryan Friedkin, and Galantic in attendance. El Aynaoui returns to the squad after a period out, while Gasperini faces an attacking shortage with five strikers unavailable. The club is exploring multiple transfer targets to bolster the front line, including work on Nusa, with Fofana also in consideration. Defensively, negotiations continue around alternative options as the transfer window develops. The match at Newport County's ground serves as vital preparation for the competitive campaign, giving Gasperini a chance to assess form and fitness across the squad during this crucial pre-season phase.