Wesley's transformation: from gamble to cornerstone in one year

Roma have agreed a deal to sign Santiago Castro from Bologna after the Argentine forward gave his approval to the move two days ago following discussions with Gasperini. The transfer will be completed on a permanent basis for 30 million euros in fixed fees plus 5 million in performance bonuses, with Castro expected to arrive at Ciampino airport between this evening and tomorrow. Once he lands, the 2004-born attacker will join the squad for their departure to Wales, where the club's pre-season training camp continues its second phase. The move marks Roma's primary summer signing, contingent on final bureaucratic details being resolved. Gasperini, who worked with Castro at Atalanta, is keen to have the player at his disposal as soon as possible. Roma's director of sport D'Amico targeted completion of the formalities on 26 July to expedite Castro's integration into the squad. Discussions between the clubs had focused on bonus structures and sell-on percentage clauses to be added to Bologna's initial asking price of 35 million euros before the agreement was finalised. Castro will depart Italy alongside the rest of the Roma contingent heading to Wales for the continuation of summer preparations ahead of the new season.

Roma and Bologna are closing in on a loan deal for Artem Dovbyk, with the Ukrainian striker set to move to the Emilia-Romagna club after falling out of favour under Gasperini. The transfer hinges on Roma finalising its agreement with Bologna for Santiago Castro, an operation valued at approximately 35 million euros that Roma hoped to conclude on 26 July. Once Castro's deal is ratified, negotiations over Dovbyk's departure will enter a decisive phase; Bologna is proposing a loan arrangement through 2027, and all parties involved remain confident of reaching an agreement. Dovbyk has already spoken with Bologna manager Domenico Tedesco and is seriously considering the move, though has not yet given his final consent. The call between Tedesco and the Ukrainian striker went well, and efforts are ongoing to complete the operation. Dovbyk, a former La Liga top scorer, no longer fits Gasperini's plans; Castro's arrival would leave him with even less playing time. Fiorentina has also made enquiries about the striker and could accelerate their interest should the move to Bologna fall through. Bologna's challenge lies in managing Dovbyk's high salary, but the club is working to find a sustainable financial solution that all sides can accept.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been proposed to Roma, but the deal remains unlikely to progress. The English attacker, who recently returned to Old Trafford following a loan spell at Barcelona, was evaluated by Roma's management. However, the club has encountered significant financial barriers that make a move improbable at present. The primary obstacle is cost: Rashford's €12 million annual salary far exceeds Roma's wage parameters, and the overall transfer fee is considered prohibitively expensive. Intermediaries have held preliminary talks, with D'Amico attempting to establish the scope of a potential deal, but no concrete progress has materialised. Manchester United has also yet to clarify its long-term plans for the winger, further complicating matters. Roma will continue pursuing alternative targets as this avenue appears unlikely to develop. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's priority remains signing a left-flank reinforcement, with Nusa identified as the preferred profile. The club is considerably closer to completing a separate acquisition: negotiations over Bologna forward Castro are advancing on terms of €30 million plus €5 million in performance bonuses, with an announcement expected imminently.

Roma departed for Nice shortly before 10:00 and will reach Cannes by coach for their third pre-season fixture at 17:30 (live on Dazn) against the club owned by the Friedkin Group. Head coach Gasperini will deploy a front three of Dybala, Soulé, and Malen, with midfield reinforcements required due to absences. Pisilli and Vaz are unavailable through injury, while Cherubini misses out with fever. Central midfield will pair the young Bah with Cristante, flanked by Wesley and Rensch, while Svilar starts in goal behind a defensive line of Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso. Notably absent is Koné, though Neil El Aynaoui—currently on holiday in Cannes—will attend the match as a spectator before officially rejoining the squad on 30 July to depart for Wales, where the second phase of pre-season training will take place. A second-string lineup and Primavera players will feature in the second half. Roma will return to the capital after the match. Gasperini has granted the squad two days of rest, with no training scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Wesley has established himself as a key figure for Roma in his first year, featuring prominently in a training match against Cannes on the French Riviera—exactly twelve months after joining the club from Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian left-back made his debut for Roma at Trigoria against the Friedkin Group-owned Cannes last year in an unremarkable performance, but has since become a regular starter under head coach Gasperini, who signed him to reinforce the right flank before successfully deploying him on the left. His debut campaign yielded five goals and one assist, with his market value doubling in twelve months. Roma paid 25 million euros to secure Wesley from Flamengo, and he has since rejected advances from stronger suitors. Chelsea reportedly offered 50 million before turning to an alternative target, only to receive a firm refusal from both Roma and the player himself, who is determined to play Champions League football and has built a strong connection with the club's supporters. A World Cup opportunity passed him by due to injury, but he has worked intensively to be fit from day one of pre-season. He returned to Trigoria a week before the official squad assembly and trained under his personal fitness coach Kaine Escobar during a summer break in Greece, while also working closely with Claudio Patti, a member of Gasperini's backroom staff.

Roma travel to Stade Pierre de Coubertin tomorrow to face Cannes in a friendly match. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for the contest, with injuries ruling out Pisilli and Vaz, while Cherubini is unavailable due to fever. The group reflects a mix of first-team regulars and academy prospects. In defence, Gasperini has called up Rensch, Angelino, N'Dicka, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Nardin, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield contingent comprises Cristante, Panico, Di Nunzio, Giammattei and Bah, while the attacking options are Dovbyk, Malen, Soulé, Dybala and Arena. The friendly provides an opportunity for Gasperini's side to build match sharpness and continue preparations for the season ahead. The absence of Pisilli and Vaz through injury underlines the need for squad rotation, though both players will be assessed ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures.