Roma’s 2026/27 Project: Gasperini’s Football, New Signings and Dybala’s Future

Roma’s 2026/27 Project: Gasperini’s Football, New Signings and Dybala’s Future The summer of 2026 has brought a new sense of direction to AS Roma. After a season that secured Champions League football, the Giallorossi are preparing for a campaign in which expectations will be significantly higher. The challenge for Gian Piero Gasperini is no longer simply to build a competitive side. Roma must now become more consistent, more aggressive and capable of competing on several fronts. The club’s current transfers reflect that ambition. Santiago Castro has arrived from Bologna, while Konstantinos Koulierakis has been brought in to strengthen the defense. At the same time, Paulo Dybala has committed his future to the club until 2027. The pieces are gradually coming together, but the biggest question remains: what kind of Roma will Gasperini produce in 2026/27? A Transfer Window Built Around Gasperini’s Ideas Roma’s summer recruitment is increasingly connected to the demands of their coach. Gasperini’s football requires intensity, tactical flexibility, aggressive pressing and players capable of covering large spaces. His preferred structures can change during matches, but the principles remain consistent: a back three, attacking wing-backs, man-oriented pressure and quick vertical attacks. That makes the transfer strategy particularly important. Roma are not simply looking for famous names; they are targeting players who can adapt to a demanding physical and tactical environment. Santiago Castro is perhaps the clearest example. The 21-year-old Argentine forward joined Roma from Bologna in a deal reported at around €35 million including bonuses. He scored seven goals in 35 Serie A appearances last season and was reportedly a priority for Gasperini. For those following the market through platforms such as transfermarkt, the overall picture is clear: Roma are combining immediate reinforcements with investments in younger players. The club’s 2026/27 transfer balance currently shows significant spending, with the squad being reshaped around Gasperini’s requirements. Santiago Castro and Koulierakis Add a New Dimension Castro could become one of the most interesting players in the new Roma attack. His game is not limited to finishing. He works hard without the ball, can hold possession under pressure and is comfortable attacking space. Those qualities make him a natural candidate for Gasperini’s demanding forward line. His arrival also changes the situation around Donyell Malen. Rather than having one obvious solution in the centre-forward position, Gasperini now has greater flexibility. Castro and Malen can compete for the role, while the tactical system could also allow them to operate together depending on the opponent. The other major addition is Konstantinos Koulierakis. The 22-year-old Greece international arrived from Wolfsburg in a deal reported at approximately €15 million. A left-footed centre-back standing 1.88 metres tall, he offers physical strength, aerial ability and confidence when progressing the ball from the back. That profile is particularly valuable in a Gasperini system because the wide centre-backs are expected to defend aggressively and contribute during possession. Koulierakis therefore looks less like a traditional squad addition and more like a player chosen for a specific tactical role. The same principle applies when looking at the wider market. Modern bet affiliates and sports-content platforms increasingly focus on tactical trends because supporters want more than transfer rumours: they want to understand how new players actually fit into a team. Dybala Contract Gives Roma a Creative Reference Point The most important piece of continuity in the summer may be Paulo Dybala. On July 13, Roma officially announced that the Argentine had signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until June 30, 2027. Since joining in 2022, Dybala has made 139 appearances and scored 45 goals for the Giallorossi. The Dybala contract is important for more than sentimental reasons. Gasperini needs players capable of making the difference in tight matches, particularly against opponents who defend deep. Dybala can provide that creativity between the lines and around the penalty area. His role will have to be managed carefully, especially because Gasperini’s football demands enormous physical output. Roma do not need Dybala to carry every attack. Instead, the ideal scenario is for him to become the creative reference point of a more dynamic team, with Castro, Malen, Matías Soulé and the wing-backs providing movement around him. Keeping Dybala also gives the squad a valuable link between the previous Roma project and the new one. What Kind of Football Should Fans Expect? The biggest tactical shift should be visible without needing a tactical board. Roma are likely to become more aggressive without the ball and more direct after recovering possession. Gasperini’s teams traditionally rely on man-oriented defending, high intensity and aggressive pressing. The wing-backs are crucial because they provide width while also becoming important outlets during transitions. The three centre-backs must be comfortable defending large spaces, while midfielders need stamina and discipline. In possession, Roma should look for vertical solutions rather than simply controlling the ball for its own sake. Castro’s movement can help create space for attacking midfielders, while Dybala can operate between the lines. This approach also means that Roma may look spectacular in some matches and vulnerable in others. A high-risk defensive structure inevitably creates spaces when the press is broken. Gasperini will therefore need time to establish automatisms and ensure that the players understand when to press, when to hold their positions and when to retreat. Roma New Season: Higher Expectations and a Bigger Test The Roma new season will be defined by one major factor: the Champions League. European football at the highest level places completely different physical and tactical demands on a squad, and Roma cannot afford to build a team that works only in Serie A. That is why squad depth will matter almost as much as the starting XI. The additions of Castro and Koulierakis are steps in that direction, while Dybala’s renewal preserves experience and quality. The club is also continuing to work on further additions, meaning the final squad may look different by the end of the transfer window. For MelBet Affiliates and other football-focused media ecosystems, Roma could become one of the most interesting Serie A stories of the season. The combination of Gasperini’s tactical identity, Champions League football, a reshaped attack and Dybala’s continued presence creates plenty of narratives to follow. Roma should not be judged solely by the number of trophies they win in 2026/27. The more important question is whether Gasperini can establish a clear identity and turn Roma into a team capable of challenging Italy’s strongest sides consistently. If Castro adapts quickly, Koulierakis strengthens the defense and Dybala remains available, the Giallorossi have the foundations for a significant step forward. The next stage of the Gasperini project is no longer about rebuilding. It is about competing.