Arsenal, Liverpool and European giants monitoring Roma defender Lulli

The Friedkin Group has opened the door to selling its controlling stake in Everton while reinforcing its long-term investment in AS Roma, marking a strategic shift that places the Italian club at the centre of the Texan ownership's football portfolio. The group stated: "The Friedkin Group is evaluating new investment options for Everton Football Club, including the potential sale of a controlling stake." The move reflects no immediate urgency to divest but signals a willingness to explore offers from buyers deemed capable of "taking the club forward and consolidating the momentum that has been created" while continuing to support it in the interim. The valuation of Everton, according to Il Messaggero, could reach approximately £800 million including debt. Estimates of the group's initial outlay differ: Il Messaggero indicates around £400 million for the acquisition of 94.1% of shares from Farhad Moshiri, while Il Tempo quantifies total investment at approximately £600 million. An exit at that valuation would represent a favourable outcome economically. Crucially, the article identifies UEFA multi-ownership rules governing simultaneous European participation as a factor in the group's thinking—having two clubs from the same ownership in UEFA competitions requires strict compliance with regulations on multiple club ownership, though this is not identified as the sole driver of a potential sale. Roma presents the inverse picture. Since arriving in the capital, the Friedkin Group has committed over €1 billion in investments and tied a central component of its project to building a new stadium at Pietralata, an undertaking estimated to cost around €1.3 billion overall. Everton's 2024-25 accounts showed revenues of £196.7 million and losses reduced to £8.6 million. The group is also reportedly working on establishing a new NHL franchise in Texas in the Houston-Austin area for approximately $3.5 billion, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, further demonstrating its appetite for major sports portfolio expansion. The article emphasizes that any Everton sale proceeds would not automatically flow to Roma, as these represent separate holding-level assets and investments. The strategic signal, however, is unambiguous: while the Friedkin Group evaluates an exit from Everton after stabilizing the club, Roma remains in an active growth and construction phase, with the Pietralata stadium project serving as the ultimate test of Roma's centrality to the ownership's vision.

The Friedkin Group is to sell Everton, with the sale expected to value the Premier League club at around £800 million including £380 million of debt, according to reporting from Il Messaggero. The family acquired 94.1 per cent of Everton from Farhad Moshiri for approximately £400 million, meaning the exit would constitute a significant financial gain if it completes at the reported valuation. Everton's accounts for 2024–25 published by the Premier League showed record revenues of £196.7 million and reduced losses of £8.6 million, demonstrating the group's success in stabilising the club's finances and completing its infrastructure. Roma remains the strategic centre of the Friedkin Group's football interests. While there is no set timeline for the Everton sale, the decision to exit reflects both economic opportunity and a practical conflict: managing two clubs simultaneously in UEFA competitions has proven more difficult than initially anticipated from Houston. The group initially believed it could handle both Roma and Everton's European campaigns concurrently, but that confidence has waned over time. Some observers contend the Everton purchase was a short-term speculation rather than a long-term investment, evidenced by the absence of any deep bond between the English supporters and the ownership. By contrast, the Friedkin Group's commitment to Roma differs markedly. The family has repeatedly strengthened the squad on the transfer market and has kept the Pietralata stadium project at the forefront of strategic thinking. Since taking control of Roma, the group has invested more than €1 billion and is preparing to spend a further €1.3 billion on construction of the new ground. The squad has been made competitive for Serie A's summit and has returned Roma to the Champions League, underscoring where the family's true priorities lie.

Porto president André Villas-Boas has said the club would have closed its 2025-26 accounts with a profit if Rodrigo Mora's transfer to Roma had been completed before 30 June. Speaking at a press conference where he presented the club's financial results, Villas-Boas noted that Porto instead posted a loss of approximately €21 million for the season. Mora moved to Roma for €25 million plus 50 per cent of any future resale fee, but the timing of the deal meant it fell outside the financial year that would have swung the balance into the black. The transfer underscores the importance of window deadlines in club accounting, with even major deals capable of shifting a significant deficit into profit territory when registered at the right moment.

Mile Svilar's availability for Roma's Serie A fixture against Como on 11 October is uncertain after he sustained a finger injury during the match against Inter. The goalkeeper has not trained with the squad in recent days, and optimism has diminished as the match approaches. Pierluigi Gollini, who arrived in January 2025, stands ready to deputise. Since his arrival in the capital, Gollini has played only once — against Panathinaikos in the final matchday of last season's UEFA Europa League group phase. Gian Piero Gasperini will make his final decision at today's training session. Roma face tactical decisions elsewhere ahead of the 12:30 kickoff on matchday six. Behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, one of Rodrigo Mora, Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini will operate in the attacking midfield role. Marten de Roon will replace the injured Bryan Cristante in the centre of midfield, partnering Manu Koné. Wesley lines up at left back, with a contest between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli for the right flank. The back three consists of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The squad departs for Como today.

Gian Piero Gasperini faces a series of tactical decisions ahead of Roma's trip to Como, with the international break having left several squad members fatigued and the imminent Champions League fixture against Real Madrid looming large in his planning. In midfield, Marten De Roon is set to anchor the team, on course to reach 362 appearances under Gasperini's management, filling the void left by the absence of Bryan Cristante. The most significant selection puzzle centres on the attacking midfield position behind the strike pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé returned to Roma only on Thursday morning after a lengthy journey from Argentina and has completed just one training session with the squad, making him vulnerable to dropping to the bench. That has opened the door for Rodrigo Mora, the young Portuguese midfielder who has impressed in Under-21 international football and has caught the eye in training at Trigoria. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains another option, having used the two-week break to focus on his fitness and condition. On the right flank, Nahuel Molina faces competition from young squad member Emanuele Lulli, who could be handed a starting role to give the Argentine a rest ahead of the European encounter. Wesley is expected to start at left-back after recovering from a muscle problem picked up before the international break. In defence, Evan N'Dicka looks favourites to complete the back three alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso, with Leonardo Balerdi likely to miss out due to staggered return times for the South American contingent. Roma will lean on the attacking quality of Dybala and Malen, with the Argentine chasing an important away goal and the Dutch forward looking to maintain his impressive goalscoring run in a Roma shirt. Defensive solidity, which saw the club concede only 34 goals in Serie A last season, will be critical as Roma test themselves against Cesc Fabregas's Como.

Gian Piero Gasperini will name his side to face Como within 24 hours, with the Giallorossi boss still weighing final selection calls before Sunday's Serie A fixture. The Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon is a certainty in the center of the park, replacing the injured Bryan Cristante; his appearance on Sunday will take him to 362 career games. Niccolò Pisilli, who returned to group training yesterday following a minor flu, remains behind in the hierarchy. The forward line will feature Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as regulars. Since joining Roma, the Dutch forward has scored 20 goals in 23 appearances—a tally that outpaces both Kane and Raphinha, who stand at 18 each. Malen also holds the best goals-per-minute ratio in Serie A during the three-points era, averaging one goal every 91 minutes, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldo. The main puzzle surrounds the third member of the attacking trio. Matías Soulé has completed only one full training session since returning to the capital on Thursday morning but remains in contention, though Rodrigo Mora currently holds the advantage. Lorenzo Pellegrini, who stayed at Trigoria throughout the international break, is also an option but has not featured for six months. On the right flank, both Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli were tested yesterday; whoever plays Sunday could rest in the Champions League. Wesley will operate on the left. Evan N'Dicka leads Leonardo Balerdi for a centre-back place alongside Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso rounding out the defence. Gasperini must also account for Roma's upcoming Champions League fixture against Real Madrid when making his selections.

Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed that goalkeeper Mile Svilar will miss around a month of action following an injury sustained a week ago during training, but expressed confidence that Pierluigi Gollini can perform the role. Speaking at a press conference on the eve of Como's visit to Roma, Gasperini said Gollini has the quality to step in: "In his career perhaps I'm the only one who has made him play with continuity. He's an excellent second. Now he has the opportunity to play regularly. When I coached him at Genoa he reached being second in the national team for a couple of years. He has the ability, he's trained well these months. He must have everyone's confidence. Now he has the possibility to give continuity." Gasperini also confirmed that captain Lorenzo Pellegrini has fully recovered from his injury during the three-week international break. "Pellegrini is fine, these weeks have been very useful. He is recovered," the coach said. The squad was assembling gradually after the break, with Argentine players arriving last to train together for the first time yesterday. Gasperini stressed that Roma will play many fixtures in the coming period—nine matches in 27 days—allowing him to rotate players across all positions, including the external lanes where Wesley has performed strongly. Wesley was described as having played "extraordinary" against Inter, though Gasperini made clear these are personal assessments. On the defensive issues that have emerged early in the season, Gasperini said: "These are sometimes particular. Pay attention to them, but I am very satisfied with the goals we score in the first half, or the recoveries. We seek to maintain the good. Having conceded goals in the same situation at the start of the second half makes you think but in my opinion they were more individual situations than a team attitude." Midfielder Rodrigo Mora, recently arrived, will be available, as will Marten de Roon and Nahuel Molina—all of whom benefited from the break. Leonardo Balerdi departed during the break. Gasperini noted that 18 outfield players plus Gollini are in movement, with 16 set to play tomorrow. On Roma's ownership, Gasperini said: "They do what they think is most appropriate. To make a squad like I think important, I believe a big society also becomes that with an ownership close by. I came here speaking with Dan and Ryan and this convinced me that important work could be done. I hope we are still in that idea and that vision." The coach dismissed suggestions that Roma's environment is limiting, saying: "I don't have to bring anyone over to my side. Enthusiasm is contagious for me and the squad. Playing in the middle of this passion with a stadium always full is something favourable and positive."

Mile Svilar's availability for Roma's Serie A fixture against Como on 11 October is uncertain after he sustained a finger injury during the match against Inter. The goalkeeper has not trained with the squad in recent days, and optimism has diminished as the match approaches. Pierluigi Gollini, who arrived in January 2025, stands ready to deputise. Since his arrival in the capital, Gollini has played only once — against Panathinaikos in the final matchday of last season's UEFA Europa League group phase. Gian Piero Gasperini will make his final decision at today's training session. Roma face tactical decisions elsewhere ahead of the 12:30 kickoff on matchday six. Behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, one of Rodrigo Mora, Matías Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini will operate in the attacking midfield role. Marten de Roon will replace the injured Bryan Cristante in the centre of midfield, partnering Manu Koné. Wesley lines up at left back, with a contest between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli for the right flank. The back three consists of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The squad departs for Como today.

Roma travel to Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday to face Como in a Serie A fixture that pits the division's joint leaders against a side seeking to recover from their first defeat of the season. Gian Piero Gasperini's Giallorossi won their opening four league games and were seeking a fifth consecutive victory against defending champions Inter before settling for a 2–2 draw at the Olimpico, with Lautaro Martinez's second-half brace cancelling out Manu Koné's first-half double. Roma spent the international break as joint leaders with 14 goals scored—only Inter have netted more this term—and are the only side to have scored at least two goals in all five matches so far. They bring a five-game winning away league run into this fixture, a streak only once exceeded in the club's history when Roma won 12 consecutive games between February and November 2017. Como enter the match three points behind Roma and seeking to bounce back after Frosinone's 2–0 victory halted their ten-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. Cesc Fabregas' men have otherwise impressed, winning three consecutive league matches to follow their opening 1–1 draw at Udinese. Como's home record is formidable: only defending champions Inter have beaten them in their last nine games at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia (W6, D2), and they have won their last three home meetings with Roma in Serie A—as many victories as in their previous 11 such clashes combined. Como have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six home outings, a defensive strength that will test Roma's attacking prowess. Roma must contend with a potential absence: Bryan Cristante remains the only doubt after a knee injury forced him out of Italy's squad. Wesley Franca withdrew from Brazil's camp but should be fit to start. All eyes will be on Donyell Malen, who leads Serie A's scoring charts with six goals. Como's long-term absentee Jayden Addai has recently resumed full training, giving Fabregas his entire squad available. Tasos Douvikas is likely to start in attack ahead of Moise Kean, seeking to end his home drought after his last five goals all came on the road. Roma's starting XI is expected to line up as follows: Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Koné, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Malen. Como will deploy: Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Da Cunha, Milla; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas. Despite Roma's superior attacking form and impressive away record, Como's resilience at the Sinigaglia makes this a tricky assignment for Gasperini's men. Gasperini could become only the fifth manager to oversee 300 Serie A victories should Roma add to their tally. However, Roma must avoid lapses in concentration in the second half, having conceded their last six goals after halftime.