Baldanzi sale not enough as Roma races against June 30 deadline

Marten De Roon has officially signed for AS Roma. The 34-year-old midfielder departs Atalanta after 445 appearances and 23 goals in seven seasons with the Bergamo club. De Roon holds 44 caps for the Netherlands and featured in two World Cups during his international career. De Roon arrives as reinforcement to Gian Piero Gasperini's midfield ahead of the 2026–27 campaign. He will wear the number 15 shirt. The club confirmed the signing on 30 August, with De Roon set to link up with his new teammates at Lecce on 31 August for a scheduled fixture.

Roma are finalising what could be their last move of the transfer window, bringing in Zenit winger Luiz Henrique on a loan deal worth 5 million euros with a purchase option set at 30 million. The structure gives Roma the right to buy rather than an obligation to do so, as Sky Sport confirmed. The deal represents one of the final pieces of business the club expects to conduct before the window closes.

Marten De Roon has completed his transfer to AS Roma from Atalanta on a permanent deal for €1 million. The Dutch midfielder arrived at Fiumicino today and has been assigned the number 15 shirt. He will travel with the squad for the upcoming fixture against Lecce. The 32-year-old brings significant European experience to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad as the transfer window enters its final hours. De Roon made 445 official appearances for Atalanta, scoring 23 goals during his time with the Bergamo club. He has earned 44 caps for the Netherlands and participated in the World Cups of 2022 and 2026.

Rodrigo Mora has impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini despite being deployed from the first minute, but the manager has signalled that a second attacking reinforcement is needed to complete the summer overhaul. Mora's contract contains a €110 million release clause. Sports director D'Amico is focused on identifying that final piece after closing the Oosterwolde deal, responding to Gasperini's requests made at the start of summer. With Lyon's decision on Fofana still pending, Donyell Malen sits atop Roma's target list. Chelsea have already rejected Roma's opening proposal for the winger, but the club intends to return with a fresh bid in the coming days. Chelsea have also registered interest in Manu Koné should Enzo Fernandez depart, while Crystal Palace have reportedly approached Roma regarding Neil El Aynaoui. Meanwhile, Roma are working to find solutions for surplus players Anass Salah-Eddine and Vasquez, the remaining members outside the project still at Trigoria.

The imminent arrival of Jayden Oosterwolde could trigger a departure in Roma's defence, with the new acquisition able to play both left-back and centre-back, offering head coach Gian Piero Gasperini additional flexibility. In the final days of the transfer window, either Jan Ziolkowski or Daniele Ghilardi may leave the club. Ziolkowski is the more marketable asset. The Polish defender has attracted interest from two Saudi clubs, particularly Neom, which has registered strong interest. Roma value him at around €20 million, partly because Legia Varsavia retain 10% of any future sale. According to Corriere dello Sport, Roma are awaiting an offer in the region of €16 million from the Saudi club—a figure that could open genuine negotiations. A sale would carry significant importance for Roma's incoming transfers; with Oosterwolde acquired through a deal that defers much of the expenditure, any proceeds from Ziolkowski could become a small fund to reinvest in the attacking winger Gasperini has requested. Oosterwolde's arrival would also permit Roma to lose a centre-back without becoming numerically exposed in defence. Ghilardi is also under scrutiny following reported interest from Bologna. Roma will assess any proposals, and should either defender depart, D'Amico may pursue another centre-back on loan in the final days. Salah-Eddine remains outside the plans, continuing to train separately after rejecting several transfer options including Olympiacos.

Roma remain active in the transfer market with one day until their Serie A opener against Fiorentina, but several targets remain out of reach. The club has completed the signing of Oosterwolde, who is expected to arrive in the capital in the coming hours, and sporting director D'Amico continues searching for a final piece to complete Gasperini's squad. Left winger remains the priority, with three names under consideration: Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Malick Fofana and Rafael Leão. Chelsea have flatly rejected Roma's approach for Gittens on loan, with the London club insisting on a permanent transfer only and viewing the player as not for sale. Roma plan a fresh meeting with Chelsea in the coming week to explore whether the club might reconsider, but the obstacle remains substantial. For Leão, Milan are asking for €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses, though the Portuguese winger has opened to a move to Roma and put Turkish proposals on hold. Roma are reasoning around a package of €45 million, with agent Jorge Mendes playing a central role in negotiations. Fofana's availability hinges on whether Lyon qualify for the Champions League—their return leg against Fenerbahçe takes place on 26 August. If they advance, the Belgian winger will stay; otherwise, a sale becomes likely. Luis Henrique remains far from completion despite Roma and Inter making progress on transfer terms. The key obstacle is a lack of agreement with the player himself. Elsewhere, Roma have made contact with Brighton regarding Yasin Ayari, a 2003-born midfielder, though Borussia Dortmund are competing for his signature. Jan Ziółkowski is available for transfer at €20 million valuation, with Saudi Arabian clubs showing interest. Should he depart, Roma plan to pursue a defender on loan, with Salah-Eddine continuing to field other offers after rejecting Olympiacos.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified a striker and a left-back as the remaining pieces needed to complete the squad ahead of tomorrow's away fixture at Lecce. Gasperini said: "To complete the team we need a piece that closes that section. A left-back and a forward have remained. Lulli has filled in somewhat, I have always believed in him, he is giving important responses but we cannot load such large responsibilities on him. Last season we had Angeliño, Tsimikas, Çelik, Wesley and also Rensch." Gasperini has most of his squad available for the trip to Via del Mare, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch expected to return to group training next week. Leonardo Balerdi was officially confirmed as a new arrival this morning, joining fellow recent additions Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina among the squad.

Gian Piero Gasperini defended Roma's transfer approach at his pre-match press conference on 22 August, two days before the Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico. The coach confirmed that UEFA financial regulations have forced a strategic shift in the market, compounding constraints that stem from years of previous spending. "The profile is only that of UEFA; there are no other possibilities," Gasperini said. "There are situations that UEFA imposes and from which our ownership, even wanting to, cannot escape. I thought that after six months or with arrival in the Champions League the situation would be resolved, but it is not so." Gasperini emphasised that Roma remain the only Italian club currently under UEFA supervision. "Roma has already had two deferrals and probably cannot have any more," he noted. "Now the reckoning has arrived, but we will do well anyway." Despite those constraints, he expressed satisfaction with arrivals in the window. Álex Molina replaced Zeki Çelik after winning the World Cup two months earlier; Christos Koulierakis joined as a defensive profile the squad lacked; and Rodrigo Mora arrived as a young long-term investment. Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson departed, replaced by Mateo Castro. El Shaarawy, Bryan Zaragoza, Angeliño and Kostas Tsimikas also left. Gasperini stated: "All the players who arrived have strongly wanted to come to Roma. They have also reduced their salaries—and under this aspect I believe very positive work has been done. There are still ten days of the market left and we hope to complete everything." On the left wing position that Roma had pursued, Gasperini offered flexibility: "Only if he can be added value, otherwise I am not going to load myself with players just for the sake of it." Numerically, two squad slots remain available from a full complement of 23. He praised Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante for accepting significant wage cuts. On Dybala's fitness prospects, Gasperini said: "I am certain, because I see him not only determined as he was last year but also particularly strong. He completed a pre-season perhaps for the first time without injuries." Dybala suffered two serious injuries last season—one requiring meniscus surgery that sidelined him for three and a half months. Gasperini stated that further squad exits may follow only if they represent tactical switches rather than pure departures. "If there are other exits it is only for changes, to switch," he said. "In this moment there is nothing certain." The window closes in ten days. Roma finished last season on 73 points and third place in Serie A, but Gasperini stressed the slate resets: "Every year you start from zero. What was done was very positive and satisfactory for all, but when the season starts everyone begins at 0 points and the 73 points from last year must be played again."

Roma's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the squad ahead of the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina in two days at the Stadio Olimpico. The club has registered four new arrivals and still has two squad slots available for the 23 permitted by UEFA. Gasperini outlined the summer changes: Molina, the World Cup winner who reached the final two months ago, has come in as a replacement for the departed Evan Ferguson; Dovbyk and Ferguson have left while Castro has arrived; Koulierakis joined to fill a gap in defence; and Mora completed the signings. El Shaarawy, Venturino and Zaragoza have also departed since May. Angeliño and Kostas Tsimikas have left, with Gasperini hoping replacements arrive. The coach stressed that wage costs have been reduced by necessity and said he remains hopeful of further progress in the remaining ten days of the window. "Ridurremo dunque sicuramente la rosa, cercando di renderla però più competitiva," he said, adding that all new signings wanted the club strongly. On the prospect of promoting youth, Gasperini highlighted Mora as particularly significant: "Mora è un ragazzo giovanissimo che ha già raggiunto numeri importanti. Due anni fa al Porto ha raggiunto dieci gol." The coach described the young forward as an important investment for the future with the characteristics to emerge and perform well.

Leonardo Balerdi has completed his move to Roma from Marseille and given his first interview as a giallorosso player. The Argentine defender, formerly captain at Marseille, said he is "truly happy and very serene" after arriving in Rome and praised the warmth of his reception. "Since I was a child I have always felt a special fascination for this shirt," he said. "The enthusiasm of the fans and the passion of the stadium were fundamental to my choice. I thank the club for their trust and the fans for the beautiful welcome I received at the airport." Bareldi brings substantial European experience across Bundesliga, Ligue 1, continental competitions and Argentina's national team. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini tracked him during his time at Atalanta, though Balerdi noted: "There has not yet been recent direct contact with the manager, but I know he was following me since the Atalanta days. I have very positive opinions of him and I have so many incentives to start working on the pitch straightaway." The 24-year-old is fluent in Spanish, French, English and Italian. He learned Italian from his mother, an Italian language teacher in Argentina, as well as from his Italian partner and from various Italian teammates and coaches he has worked with. Reflecting on Roma's historic connection with Argentine players, he said: "Roma has a very strong history with Argentines: I think immediately of Dybala, Paredes, Heinze, Samuel and Batistuta." His childhood idols included Fernando Gago—who played for Roma—as well as Messi and Riquelme, citing his support for Boca Juniors. Bareldi has played in intense atmospheres at Boca, Dortmund and Marseille. "I have already been to the Olimpico as an opponent but played for the other side," he said. "I cannot wait to feel all the warmth of the giallorosso crowd on my side." Closing his interview, he promised: "I thank you all for your affection. I promise maximum effort and dedication for this shirt to help the squad reach the highest targets. Daje Roma daje!"

Leonardo Balerdi has given his first interview as a Roma player, speaking to the club's social media channels about his arrival and ambitions. The defender expressed his joy at joining, saying: "First of all happiness and also peace of mind, because from the moment I arrived here they welcomed me with joy, in a very beautiful way." Bareldi, who holds 11 caps for Argentina and has played in major European competitions, explained his motivation for choosing Roma. "I had something with this shirt: when I was young I saw this shirt and I said: 'It's beautiful'. I liked it so much and for that reason I wanted to play here," he said. He added: "I knew the club, the fans, I saw the passion and I wanted to be here, wanted to play here after seeing all that. I can thank the whole club for their trust, obviously the staff and everyone. I want to meet everyone, including the players, because I haven't had the time yet. I thank everyone and also the fans for waiting for me at the airport, for welcoming me." Bareldi, whose Italian mother was a teacher of the language and whose girlfriend is Italian, is fluent in French, Spanish, and English alongside Italian. He has studied under several Italian coaches who helped develop his command of the language. Among Roma's Argentine players, he highlighted Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, Heinze, Samuel, and Gabriel Batistuta as memorable figures. His footballing heroes included Fernando Gago, who played for Roma: "When I was young I wanted to play in midfield and my idol was Gago, who played here. He was one of my idols when I was young. I even saved many photos of Gago in this shirt. Incredible." Bareldi has not yet met head coach Gian Piero Gasperini in person, though he confirmed they have had some contact. "He had looked for me when he was at Atalanta. People have spoken very well of him to me and now I want to start working with him," Balerdi said. In his message to Roma's supporters, he pledged: "I want to play and wear this shirt right away. I want to give all my heart and all my strength to take Roma as high as possible. Thank you for everything."

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Serie A matchday 2 fixture against Lecce. Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz are absent from the squad list, both players close to departing the club. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable through injury. The 24-man squad features goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini. In defence, Gasperini has included Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield options are Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora, while attack is covered by Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.