Wesley unharmed in training; Koulierakis joins squad immediately

Roma continue to strengthen their squad following the official arrivals of Castro and Koulierakis. Head coach Gasperini has made a new left-flank reinforcement a priority, and negotiations over Read are ongoing. Once that deal is closed, the club will push decisively on the manager's request for a left-sided defender. Nusa remains Roma's primary target for the position, but another option has emerged in recent days. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma have identified Juventus winger Nico González as a potential candidate. The Argentine wants to leave Juventus after spending the previous season on loan at Atlético Madrid, who are prepared to take him back. However, no agreement has been reached between those two clubs yet. Roma are now ready to table their own offer to the Bianconeri as they explore alternatives in the market.

Roma are monitoring Nico Gonzalez as a potential left-wing target, though the Argentine remains unlikely to be available unless a move to Atletico Madrid falls through. Gonzalez, recently at the World Cup with Argentina, wants to leave Juventus, and Atletico Madrid is preparing to bring him back to Spain after his loan spell there last season. Should that agreement with Juventus collapse, Roma would be ready to make an offer to the Turin club. However, Antonio Nusa remains Roma's primary left-wing objective and is unlikely to move for less than €60 million. The Giallorossi are also monitoring Stuttgart's Leweling and Brentford's Schade as alternatives. Gonzalez's name, therefore, ranks as a secondary option among several targets being tracked by the club at Trigoria.

Rome's radio stations hosted a discussion among prominent pundits on Roma's transfer strategy and squad composition. Piero Torri of Manà Sport stated that while negotiations with Nusa remain active, he continues to favour Lyon's Fofana, despite the financial burden of such a deal. Torri also raised concerns about Roma's ability to execute sales: "The problem with profit margins is there. Roma tries to sell Salah-Eddine for 8 million and the player refuses, then no offers come in for Koné. D'Amico at Atalanta has made tremendous sales, here he can't manage it. If Read costs 30, Wesley is worth triple." Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio praised Read as a versatile player suited to Gasperini's system, comparing him to Dumfries and noting that he could flourish alongside Castro given the latter's advanced playmaking traits. Roberto Pruzzo acknowledged Read's potential but questioned the lack of push from the fullbacks in Roma's recent display, pointing out that both Rensch and Wesley appeared undercooked. Pruzzo added: "You have good attackers, but you need to complete the squad. If you're able to spend this amount on an winger, I think it's the right thing to do." He also suggested that Castro and Malen could complement each other effectively in attack.

Rome's radio stations hosted a discussion among prominent pundits on Roma's transfer strategy and squad composition. Piero Torri of Manà Sport stated that while negotiations with Nusa remain active, he continues to favour Lyon's Fofana, despite the financial burden of such a deal. Torri also raised concerns about Roma's ability to execute sales: "The problem with profit margins is there. Roma tries to sell Salah-Eddine for 8 million and the player refuses, then no offers come in for Koné. D'Amico at Atalanta has made tremendous sales, here he can't manage it. If Read costs 30, Wesley is worth triple." Mario Mattioli of Radio Radio praised Read as a versatile player suited to Gasperini's system, comparing him to Dumfries and noting that he could flourish alongside Castro given the latter's advanced playmaking traits. Roberto Pruzzo acknowledged Read's potential but questioned the lack of push from the fullbacks in Roma's recent display, pointing out that both Rensch and Wesley appeared undercooked. Pruzzo added: "You have good attackers, but you need to complete the squad. If you're able to spend this amount on an winger, I think it's the right thing to do." He also suggested that Castro and Malen could complement each other effectively in attack.

Roma returned to training in Wales following a defeat to Cardiff, with Wesley forced off the pitch after just ten minutes. The Brazilian left-back's early departure was pre-arranged with the medical staff and caused no particular alarm; he is carrying only a minor issue to manage in the coming days, not a serious injury. Wesley has endured a difficult injury history over the past year. In March 2026 he suffered a serious muscle injury—a right biceps femoris lesion sustained with Brazil—which sidelined him for four weeks. He had previously stopped training in September 2025 with left knee inflammation that ruled him out of a Bolivia fixture. In June 2026, a left adductor injury sustained in a friendly against Egypt forced him to miss the World Cup. The laterals' fitness remains central to Roma's pre-season preparations as the squad continues its training camp in Wales.

Roma are preparing to make another approach to Feyenoord in the coming hours over left winger Givairo Read, with the player already having agreed personal terms on a contract to 2031. The Dutch club are demanding €30 million; Roma have offered €28 million, narrowing the gap considerably. The two clubs are working to reach an agreement soon, according to transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà. With a decision on Antonio Nusa expected within days—Leipzig continue to hold firm at around €60 million—Roma are simultaneously exploring alternatives. Nico Gonzalez, available from Juventus should Atlético Madrid not exercise a buyout option, has been added to the shortlist. Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart and Malick Fofana of Lyon are also under consideration, though Fofana's recent ankle injury has given Roma pause. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has emphasised the urgency of completing the squad reinforcements in time. At centre-back, Roma continue to monitor Alberto Cacciamani from Torino as a potential alternative to Wesley. Torino are asking around €15 million; Roma have tabled an opening offer close to €7.5 million. Torino are already gathering information on Fortini as a possible replacement for Cacciamani.

Roma radio commentators have weighed in on the club's transfer activity and recent performance. Roberto Pruzzo suggested that if Matías Soulé justifies his fee, he can elevate the team's attacking play. "If he raises his level, it makes things easier for everyone else," Pruzzo said on Radio Radio, while also criticizing the full-back display in Roma's latest match. He backed the club's pursuit of a wide player and saw potential in pairing Niccolò Pisilli and Donyell Malen in attack. Giancarlo Orsi and Paolo Mattioli also discussed the challenge facing Gasperini in finding wingers to suit his tactical system, a problem that hindered Roma last season. Both felt Castro and Malen could work together given their complementary attributes, though additional reinforcement on the flanks may be needed. Massimo Torri raised concerns about Roma's ability to shift players in the transfer market. He noted interest remains open on Nusa and flagged Lyon's Fofana as his preferred defensive option, though he acknowledged the cost is substantial. Torri was critical of Roma's negotiating position, remarking: "The Roma tries to sell Salah-Eddine for 8 million and the player refuses, then no offers arrive for Koné. The issue with plusvalencies is there." He questioned why Koné, despite a possible pubalgia affecting Soulé's market appeal, has attracted no concrete offers.

Roma completed their third preseason fixture in their Welsh training camp with a friendly against Cardiff that yielded little of competitive value but offered Gasperini insights into younger players, notably Lulli. The match left two concerning legacies: the injury to midfielder Bah, a 2007-born player who has featured regularly in preseason friendlies due to absences elsewhere in the squad, and a troublesome impact on Roma's midfield depth. Bah sustained a right knee distortion injury during the first half and underwent an MRI scan today to determine the severity of the damage. The midfielder previously suffered an 11-month cruciate ligament injury in 2024. Roma's midfield picture remains the most acute concern for Gasperini heading into tomorrow's fixture against Newport, with Koné and El Aynaoui still recovering from World Cup commitments and Pisilli managing an injury. By contrast, defence has strengthened: new arrival Koulierakis trained with the squad immediately and may see minutes as Gasperini assesses his characteristics. Following training yesterday, Gasperini held a meeting with newly appointed CEO Galantic at the training base. Roma's Welsh preseason work continues through a combination of tactical drills and small-sided matches.

Koulierakis trained with Roma for the first time on 2 August after arriving at Vale Resort, declaring himself eager to contribute to the club. "I am truly very happy to be here. The welcome has been fantastic," the Greek defender said. "When my agent told me Roma was interested, I responded immediately: 'Yes, let's go'. I want to do my best to become part of this great Italian club. I had no doubt whatsoever." Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain on Saturday during Perry Ng's penalty-kick incident and attempted to train but signalled to Gasperini he was unable to continue. No alarm is warranted, though he is expected to sit out Tuesday's match against Newport to avoid reinjury. Pisilli remains sidelined with a calf problem sustained ten days earlier. El Aynaoui has a minor left knee discomfort but nothing troubling. Bah will undergo an MRI scan on 3 August to assess the extent of his right knee injury. In the transfer market, Roma continues to push for Read. The Dutch winger played the full 90 minutes in a friendly against Atalanta on 2 August but remains committed to joining Roma. His club has rejected an opening bid of €23 million plus €2 million in bonuses, demanding €30 million instead. 3 August could prove decisive in reaching agreement. Roma is also pursuing Cacciamani at Torino and exploring attacking options—Nusa is preferred but his cost complicates matters, while Endrick is also under consideration. Koné has drawn interest from Manchester United, though Arsenal has dropped out of the race. Kumbulla is heading to Rayo Vallecano.