Baldini names 24-player Italy squad for June friendlies; Donnarumma and Esposito included, 19 players earning first call-ups

Roma director D'Amico is pursuing three targets to strengthen Gian Piero Gasperini's squad before the transfer window closes. Rodrigo Mora from Porto tops the shortlist for the left side of the attack, though D'Amico is still awaiting final approval from the Portuguese club. While negotiations over Mora continue, the club has simultaneously advanced discussions for Malick Fofana; Lyon have reduced their asking price to approximately €35 million, and the Belgian winger has signalled his willingness to join Roma. However, Roma will not proceed with Fofana until the Mora deal is confirmed, treating both players as concrete alternatives with different characteristics for Gasperini's left attacking zone. On the left flank, Destiny Udogie remains D'Amico's primary target. The Tottenham defender is Gasperini's preferred option and talks are underway for a loan agreement with a conditional obligation to buy. Tottenham's valuation stands at approximately €25 million, and the former Udinese player has already agreed to the move several days ago. The pursuit of these three signings comes after Roma's summer transfer activity failed to address the left-sided positions sufficiently.

Roma are actively exploring departures in the current transfer window. Jan Ziółkowski is in line to leave the club, with several Arab clubs monitoring the Polish defender. The 2005-born centre-back has attracted interest due to his youth and established international pedigree, and Roma are awaiting offers. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini would prefer to move on Daniele Ghilardi instead, but Ziółkowski commands greater market appeal. The arrival of Koulierakis has squeezed playing time for the young Pole, as the new signing can operate as left-centre-back in place of Mario Hermoso or centrally to rotate with Evan N'Dicka. Matías Soulé also remains available for transfer, though no offers have yet reached Roma's Trigoria training ground for the winger. Updates on potential departures are expected in the coming days as the club looks to balance the squad and generate funds. Gasperini's preference for which defender to sell underscores the tactical flexibility now available following recent recruitment, with multiple defensive options enabling the manager to make strategic choices about squad composition.

Roma are intensifying their hunt for a left-sided midfielder over the next two weeks as the club pursues multiple targets across the pitch. Mora's arrival is imminent and Fofana remains a focus, but Roma are not stopping there. The priority search for a left-flank player has seen Cacciamani's stock fall following Torino's refusal to lower their demands, while negotiations over Inter's Luis Henrique have stalled. Roma and Inter have found no total agreement, and the approximately thirty million euros under discussion could be redirected towards Lyon's Fofana. Udogie leads Roma's wish list and could arrive on loan with a conditional obligation to buy, with talks continuing with Tottenham. The Italian player has already agreed to join Roma. Director D'Amico is searching for a deputy to Wesley to complete the wider midfield options for head coach Gasperini.

Pierluigi Gollini has announced he is expecting a son. The Roma goalkeeper shared the news on social media, writing: "Life, at times, gives you what you've always dreamed of; we were very fortunate." He and his partner Ariel Serra, whom he married in May 2025, posted photos of Nike baby shoes they had already purchased for their child. The couple were expecting a boy. Gollini's teammates responded warmly to the announcement on social media, including messages from Niccolò Pisilli and Jan Ziółkowski. Former Roma player Kostas Tsimikas also commented, as did Chiara Nasti, wife of Mattia Zaccagni and formerly Gollini's sister-in-law.

Roma will open their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina in exactly one week's time, but face an injury concern over two key players. Wesley and Pisilli were both absent from a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, and their availability for the first league match remains uncertain. Wesley has an ongoing ankle problem that will be reassessed when training resumes at Trigoria in two days' time; Pisilli will undergo a similar evaluation on the same day. There is optimism both players will be fit for the clash with Fiorentina. Molina is expected to be the only recent recruit to start from the beginning against the Viola. Manu Koné requires further assessment before selection. Matías Soulé will operate on the left wing, with Paulo Dybala positioned on the right. Lorenzo Pellegrini, meanwhile, needs more time to recover from injury and will not be included in the squad for the match.

Roma will open their 2026-27 season at the Olimpico against Fiorentina on Monday, 24 August at 20:45, with director D'Amico still working to finalise the squad ahead of the summer transfer window's closure on Tuesday, 1 September at 20:00. Rodrigo Mora, a left-sided winger described as a long-term target for Gasperini, is close to joining from Porto, and the club expects at least one further reinforcement before the deadline. However, Gasperini is likely to start the campaign with roughly 10 or 11 players from last season's squad. Molina is expected to earn a starting berth against Fiorentina, but the other recent arrivals face obstacles to immediate prominence. Koulierakis is unlikely to displace Mario Hermoso in the defensive hierarchy, and Castro faces a similar challenge against Donyell Malen despite the winger's low-profile preseason. Mora, expected in Italy in the coming days, will need time to integrate into Gasperini's system; Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé are likely to retain their attacking partnership. Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the opener through injury, while Niccolò Pisilli hopes to return in the squad and Wesley is managing a minor ankle sprain sustained in Saturday's friendly against Borussia Dortmund.

Paulo Dybala has consolidated his status as Roma's cornerstone player despite an injury-depleted forward line under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club initially weighed the possibility of parting with the Argentine at the end of his contract, mindful of his €8 million net annual salary in the 2025–26 season and the 21 matches he missed due to physical problems. However, a contract extension through 2027, confirmed on 13 July, resolved all doubts. Dybala accepted a 70% salary reduction to remain in giallorosso colours, demonstrating his deep attachment to the club. With Stephan El Shaarawy departing on a free transfer, Lorenzo Venturino and Bryan Zaragoza returning to their parent clubs, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined by injury, Dybala and Matías Soulé carry almost the entire responsibility for the attacking midfield role. His experience proves invaluable ahead of Roma's European campaign: Dybala's 53 Champions League appearances make him the squad's most seasoned European player, ahead of Nahuel Molina (37 appearances), Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso (31 each). Against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly on 15 August at 17:30, Dybala is set once again to lead the team on the pitch, confirming his status as both a technical and commercial pillar of the club.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.

Roma's pursuit of Porto winger Rodrigo Mora remains unresolved, with radio pundits divided on both the deal and the club's broader transfer direction ahead of the 2026–27 season. Ugo Trani (Teleradiostereo) remained optimistic that a resolution would come today, citing Porto's internal difficulties and the club's determination to close on its own terms. "The Roma stayed put because they want to close on their conditions, not those of the Portuguese," Trani said. "Today will be decisive. A player will settle it. Last year, no." However, other commentators questioned the logic of the pursuit. Furio Zara (Radio Radio Pomeriggio) argued that Mora's wide role was incompatible with Roma's stated needs, suggesting strategic confusion at the club. "Mora may be talented, but he plays in a completely different position," Zara said. "That means you don't have clear ideas." Franco Melli (Radio Radio Pomeriggio) expressed broader disappointment, comparing Roma unfavourably to Juventus in terms of reinforcements relative to early-summer ambitions. The squad additions from the previous season included Vaz, Zaragoza, and Venturino. Trani called for further signings—suggesting Fofana, Cacciamani, an external defender (either Udogie or Luis Henrique on loan), and another attacker—while doubting whether midfielder Matías Soulé would depart.