Balerdi arrives in Rome: defender lands at Ciampino at 17:40 today

Roma are revisiting their interest in Colombian midfielder Richard Rios as they reshape their transfer targets this summer. With Neil El Aynaoui facing an increasingly likely departure to Leipzig, the club are exploring alternatives in midfield. Rios, who was at the centre of a protracted transfer saga last summer before joining Benfica, is now available on loan according to reports. Contacts are ongoing between Roma and Benfica, as well as directly with Rios's representatives. Turkish side Besiktas are also pursuing the player. El Aynaoui's potential exit has accelerated Roma's search for reinforcement in the middle of the park, even as the club continues to prioritise attacking recruitment. According to Fabrizio Romano, discussions between Roma and Leipzig for El Aynaoui are progressing on the basis of a loan with a purchase option. Roma are also exploring a separate target, André, though details of that approach remain limited.

Roma's transfer window remains active with the club prioritising attack while weighing potential departures in other areas. Neil El Aynaoui is available for transfer, which would open a gap in midfield. With Kessie having joined Atalanta, Roma have scouted André, the Brazilian midfielder at Wolverhampton, according to Sky Sport. A class of 2001, André's contract runs until 2030 after his arrival in England in 2024. Last season, marked by Wolverhampton's relegation, he made 35 appearances, scoring once but accumulating 12 yellow cards.

Roma are targeting Wolverhampton midfielder André to strengthen their midfield. The Brazilian midfielder is among the profiles being closely followed by the Roma management as they look to improve the squad ahead of the 2026-27 season. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Roma made an exploratory approach for André on 29 August.

Roma will not strengthen their wing-back options before the transfer window closes, barring late surprises. With Devyne Rensch sidelined by a left flexor injury, Gian Piero Gasperini will rely on four defenders to cover the flanks until January: Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina on the right, and Wesley on the left. Molina featured prominently in Roma's opening match against Fiorentina last Monday, while Lulli has also impressed in recent action. The Oosterwolde deal collapsed following additional medical checks, and with Balerdi's arrival imminent to complete the centre-back contingent, Roma have decided against further recruitment in the defensive ranks. The club's focus has instead shifted to signing an attacking left winger rather than a fourth midfield full-back, a decision made in light of the positive performances from Lulli. Any further wing signings remain possible in the final days of the market, but none is planned at present.

Roma could decide against replacing Jayden Oosterwolde after the failed Fenerbahce deal, with the club reassessing its transfer priorities as the market approaches closure. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's evaluation has shifted following Emanuele Lulli's impressive debut against Fiorentina. The young player could provide an additional option at right wing alongside Nahuel Molina, while on the left the coach can rely on Wesley and Devyne Rensch, potentially making an immediate wide signing unnecessary. Roma may instead retain their current wide options and defer any further investment in that area to January. Lulli's performance has prompted a tactical reassessment at board level, with director D'Amico and Gasperini prioritizing differently than anticipated. The club could still act if a particularly attractive opportunity arises in the closing days, but a second winger is no longer viewed as an urgent priority. Instead, Roma's final market efforts are likely to concentrate on the position Gasperini considers genuinely essential: a left-footed right-wing forward. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Malick Fofana remain the leading targets on that agenda. Following the Balerdi situation, the club appears ready to channel its remaining significant effort exclusively into offensive reinforcement.

Roma are poised to complete a defensive reshuffle with four days left in the transfer window. Jan Ziółkowski will join Monza on loan with a €18 million purchase option, clearing the way for Gonzalo Balerdi to arrive from Marseille. The 1999-born Argentine, who holds Italian citizenship and captains Marseille, will bring experience to Gasperini's back line and becomes the fifth Argentine in the squad. The deal moves forward after Adriel Oosterwolde's proposed transfer collapsed following his medical at Fenerbahce, to which he has returned. Gasperini still requires two further signings: a left-sided midfielder and a left winger, with the latter the priority. Negotiations with Chelsea over Atalanta's Mateo Gittens have continued, with an intermediary working to persuade the Blues to accept a costly loan with a conditional mandatory purchase totalling over €40 million. Bosnian midfielder Mohamed Fofana remains a target despite his desire to leave Lyon, though a deal for Franck Kessié is judged too expensive. Neil El Aynaoui's agent has fielded only loan offers from clubs in Germany and England. In outgoing moves, Robinio Vaz is close to joining Hull City on a loan worth €2 million with a €30 million purchase option.