Abdulhamid completes move to Lens as Roma bank fresh transfer profits

Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing to rotate his squad heavily ahead of matches against Torino and Inter, with Koné, Dybala, Malen and Mancini among those likely to be rested. Castro, Mora, Soulé, Pisilli and De Roon are expected to see more action as Roma look to preserve their key players and test the depth of the squad while addressing defensive issues that have emerged in recent fixtures. Salah-Eddine's departure to Panathinaikos is confirmed. The left-back moves on a loan deal with a right of redemption and underwent medical tests in Athens today to complete the transfer. Separately, defender Oosterwolde has reopened the possibility of joining Roma. An achilles tendon operation had scuppered a move earlier this summer, but Oosterwolde met with Roma officials in Istanbul and signalled his willingness to return. "I hope to come back to Roma in the coming months," he said. The club remains interested with D'Amico continuing to monitor developments. Gasperini values Oosterwolde's versatility, and his recovery from surgery will be key to determining whether Roma can revive the deal as early as January. Carina told Radio Radio: "I've read plenty of criticism of Roma. In 30 years doing this job I'd never known a situation where I couldn't speak to my colleague—there was an absurd broadcast an hour and a half before the match and 30 minutes after. Given where it was played, Roma put in a more than decent performance: they dominated the first half. From the stadium, I had the sense that Roma wouldn't lose it, and could even have won it." Pruzzo added: "I saw a good Roma. What I keep thinking is that I have many doubts about whether the squad is qualitatively as strong as people say: I don't have that perception. In the first half they played like last season, but in the second, when you need to change, there isn't the same level. I think Castro is Roma's best option off the bench. Then Molina comes on and does the same thing as Rensch, and Mora yesterday did nothing."

Anass Salah-Eddine has left AS Roma to join Greek club Panathinaikos on loan with a purchase option worth €7 million plus €1 million in add-ons. The deal was confirmed on 12 September 2026, with the left back undergoing medical examinations in Athens the same day. The 25-year-old Moroccan defender has fallen out of favour under Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and sought a move to secure regular playing time. Roma and Panathinaikos had been in advanced talks over the transfer, with the loan structure agreed as a conditional obligation to buy. The move also saw backing from Azzedine Ounahi, Salah-Eddine's Morocco teammate, while Olympiacos had also pursued the player. Transfer specialist Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sport reported that discussions between the two clubs reached an advanced stage before the deal was finalised. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement with a verbal accord struck and medical arrangements locked in place. The buy clause structure was finalised at €7m plus €1m add-ons, with the option to make the transfer permanent at the conclusion of the loan spell. Salah-Eddine's departure marks his exit from Roma's squad after being deemed surplus to requirements by Gasperini's technical project. The player moves to the Super League Greece seeking greater opportunities for competitive action.

Salah-Eddine is leaving Roma to join Greek club Panathinaikos on a loan deal with a right of redemption. The full-back underwent medical tests in Athens and signed his contract today. He had rejected approaches from Olympiacos in August and turned down West Ham's offer in the closing days of the transfer window. Head coach Gasperini confirmed last week that Salah-Eddine had been offered several moves he declined and plays no part in Roma's plans. The decision to part ways came despite Wesley not arriving as a replacement from the transfer market. Gasperini said: "Salah-Eddine has had quite a few opportunities that he refused. As far as Roma is concerned, I have already made my choices and he does not feature in Roma's plans."

Roma's loanees across Italy and Europe made an impact on the weekend. Artem Dovbyk was the standout performer, coming off the bench in the 66th minute for Bologna against Sassuolo and scoring the equaliser in the 91st minute to secure a 2–2 draw and the Rossoblu's first point of the season. The Ukrainian striker's decisive finish came in an Emilia derby on loan with a right of redemption clause. Elsewhere, young goalkeeper Radoslaw Zelezny put in a strong performance for Perugia in their 2–1 victory over Pineto, playing all 90 minutes as the side's first-choice keeper. The 2006-born Zelezny was blameless for the goal conceded and made several crucial saves, including a high-quality intervention in the first half and a decisive stop in the second. He is on loan at the Umbrian club with an option and counter-option attached. Midfield prospect Alessandro Romano again started for Cagliari in Serie A, remaining on the pitch for the full 90 minutes as the Sardinians won 1–0 away at Lecce thanks to a Daniel Maldini goal in the 29th minute. Romano's loan includes an obligation to buy if certain sporting conditions are met. Neil El Aynaoui made an immediate first-team debut for RB Leipzig, starting in the away fixture against Werder Brema and playing until the 75th minute. However, Leipzig suffered a 3–1 defeat. The Moroccan midfielder's move is on loan with a right of redemption. Filippo Reale, a 2006-born defender, played the full 90 minutes for Carrarese on the flank in their 1–0 home loss to Empoli, conceding in the 74th minute; he is on loan with an option and counter-option in Roma's favour. Luigi Cherubini started in attack for Benevento in the first half at Ascoli before being substituted at the interval; Benevento were reduced to ten men in the 41st minute by Prisco's red card and lost 1–0 to a Brunori penalty in the closing stages. Cherubini's loan includes a right of option and obligation to buy. Mattia Mannini received his first call-up after joining Benevento on loan but remained unused from the bench in the same Ascoli defeat. Angeliño was an unused substitute as Deportivo La Coruña won 3–2 away at Villarreal in La Liga. Robinio Vaz was included in a Premier League squad for the first time after a late-market transfer to Hull City but did not feature in a 0–0 draw with Aston Villa. Jan Ziółkowski was unavailable for Monza's away trip to Parma—which ended 1–1—due to a plantar fascia problem requiring monitoring. Marash Kumbulla likewise missed Rayo Vallecano's 3–2 victory over Racing Santander as he continues to deal with a knee issue.

Daniele Ghilardi has emerged as one of the season's surprises at Roma. After months of adaptation last season following his arrival from Verona, the defender earned Gasperini's trust, yet began the campaign without a league start across the opening eighteen matches. His turning point came at Lecce, where he suddenly stepped into the side and performed flawlessly. Last week at the same venue he was named in the starting eleven again, producing four tackles won from five attempts, eight ground duels won and aerial supremacy. On Saturday against Atalanta, Ghilardi replaced Gianluca Mancini and contributed significantly to Roma's comeback. Gasperini chose to release Jan Ziółkowski over the summer in favour of keeping the 2003-born defender, continuing a pattern of player development that has become a hallmark of his management at Roma. Crucially, Italy national team coach Roberto Mancini attended the Olimpico fixture and took note of the performance. While Ghilardi remains too early for September's international break, Mancini is expected to consider him for future call-ups.

Roma came from behind to beat Atalanta 2–1 on 5 September, with goals from Mario Hermoso in the 90th minute and Matías Soulé in the 93rd turning the match after Éderson had put the visitors ahead in the 47th. Gasperini's Roma dominated the opening two Serie A fixtures against Fiorentina and Lecce without conceding, and the manager named a side with Evan N'Dicka returning from a muscular problem to anchor the defence alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné were paired in midfield, with Emanuele Lulli and Wesley holding the flanks. Rodrigo Mora operated behind the front two: Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen started in attack. The victory keeps Roma's unbeaten start intact ahead of their Champions League debut on Thursday against Fenerbahce. Gasperini had Daniele Ghilardi, Leonardo Balerdi, Nahuel Molina, Soulé, Santiago Castro, Marten de Roon, Niccolò Pisilli, Pierluigi Gollini, Giorgio De Marzi and Jan Ziółkowski among his substitutes. Atalanta, managed by Maurizio Sarri, fielded Matteo Carnesecchi in goal and included substitutions involving Gianluca Scamacza (replaced in the 46th minute), Kolasinac, Éderson, Alexei Kolasinac and Jérémie Zappacosta. The match was refereed by Colombo, with assistants Bahri and Palermo; the fourth official was Collu, VAR Camplone and assistant VAR Santoro. Bellanova received a yellow card in the 83rd minute for Atalanta.