Balerdi arrives in Rome: first photos with Giallorossi fans at Ciampino

Roma are intensifying their pursuit of Zenit winger Luiz Henrique, with the club reportedly moving closer to the Russian side's valuation and now seeking to reach personal terms with the Brazilian. Luiz Henrique, 25, has emerged as a concrete target in the final phase of the transfer window after weeks dominated by other names. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been seeking an attacking winger to complete his squad, and the player fits that requirement despite presenting a different profile to the one Roma have chased throughout the summer. Henrique is left-footed and plays primarily as a right winger, whereas Gasperini's stated preference has been for a right-footed attacker capable of playing from the left flank. However, his versatility—he can operate across the entire attacking line and play on the left or in a central position—offers the coach tactical flexibility as a tactical option. Roma are in direct contact with Zenit San Pietroburgo regarding a potential transfer. The player was proposed to the club, and Roma have now asked the Russian side to clarify the conditions and costs of any deal. According to reporting from Angelo Mangiante, Fabrizio Romano, Alfredo Pedullà, and Gianluca Di Marzio, negotiations are actively under way. The club has closed the gap between its own offer and Zenit's asking price and is now focused on securing the player's agreement to the move. The emerging path comes at a decisive moment in the market, following weeks when Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Malick Fofana dominated Roma's attention as targets. The coming hours will determine whether Roma intend to commit fully to Henrique or treat him merely as an alternative held in reserve.

Leonardo Balerdi has arrived at Rome's Ciampino Airport to complete his transfer to AS Roma. The Argentine defender is joining on a paid loan of €1 million, with a right of redemption that can become an obligation depending on specific conditions. The redemption fee is variable between €12 million and €15 million. Balerdi is Roma's fifth summer signing this season, following Santiago Castro, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, and Rodrigo Mora. He will undergo the standard medical examination at Ciampino before signing his contract with the club.

Luiz Henrique has emerged as Roma's leading target for an attacking addition as the transfer window enters its final phase. The Zenit winger has overtaken Malick Fofana and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's list of priorities for the left-wing position. The Brazilian represents a change in approach: a natural left-footer rather than the right-footed winger originally sought to play on the left and cut infield. Roma and Zenit have reportedly reached an outline agreement on the fee and payment terms for the transfer. However, key details remain to be finalised between the clubs, and Luiz Henrique's personal approval of the move to Rome is still required. The acceleration on this avenue follows difficulties in Roma's pursuit of Chelsea's Bynoe-Gittens. With time running short, director Tony D'Amico is pursuing a more straightforward option that can be completed quickly and provide Gasperini with the offensive reinforcement needed. Fofana remains a possibility on the fringes, as does Bynoe-Gittens, but Luiz Henrique has made the decisive move in recent hours. According to Brazilian journalist Raisa Simplicio, the agreement with Zenit represents a significant first step. The focus now shifts to persuading the Brazilian himself to complete the transfer to the capital.