Balerdi to Roma: a transfer built over time, with ties to Gasperini and D'Amico

Franck Kessié has turned down a transfer to Juventus, Sky Sport and Gianluca Di Marzio reported on 29 August. The Ivorian midfielder's entourage communicated to the Turin club that the conditions for completing the move were not in place. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news, stating that there was no agreement on a third year of contract and the signing bonus tied to that third year. Juventus has now frozen the operation unless circumstances change. Roma have emerged as a potential destination for Kessié. The Giallorossi had shown interest in the midfielder, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini knows him well from their time together at Atalanta. However, the collapse of the Juventus deal does not automatically open the door to Roma. The club must determine whether it can and wants to meet Kessié's financial demands, which had already complicated negotiations with Juventus. Kessié has also received substantial offers from Saudi Arabia. The Juventus talks had continued until the final hours, with club officials including Massara and Spalletti hopeful of reaching an agreement. The negotiations, however, found no common ground. Kessié's future now remains completely open following the rejection of the Bianconeri's proposal.

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 are intensifying their pursuit of Chelsea winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as their primary target for the left-wing position. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Gittens as the ideal fit for his system, citing the player's physical attributes, pace and ability to attack goal. Roma have maintained contact with Chelsea and stepped up pressure through intermediaries in recent days, with sporting director Tony D'Amico seeking a formula that would bring Gittens to Roma initially on a paid loan with an option to buy that could become an obligation subject to specific conditions. Chelsea have not yet opened the door to a loan arrangement, however, which remains the central obstacle. The overall valuation of the operation is placed between €40 million and €50 million. Roma continue to work on the structure of the deal, hoping that Chelsea will soften their stance in the final days of the transfer window. Malick Fofana of Lyon is listed as the alternative option and would welcome a move to Rome, but Lyon are insisting on a permanent sale. Without an opening from Chelsea on their preferred terms, the winger saga risks dragging into the closing hours of the market.

Bryan Cristante was the standout performer in midfield as Roma opened their season with a dominant 4–0 win over Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday, playing a decisive role in stabilising the team's shape while an attacking force of Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Rodrigo Mora created havoc in the final third. Gasperini deployed a 3–4–1–2 formation, and Cristante's 90 minutes of tactical control were awarded an 8.4 rating by Sofascore. He attempted 83 passes with 88 per cent accuracy, including a 91 per cent success rate in the opposing half, while collecting 8 ball recoveries—more than any other player on the pitch. Defensively, he won 6 of 7 aerial duels and 5 of 7 ground duels, made 4 tackles (2 won), 2 interceptions and 4 defensive clearances. Cristante's ability to drop between the centre-backs, clean up loose balls and restart play with composure allows Roma to push their attacking players forward into dangerous areas. He has been a fixture under every head coach since arriving at the club—Di Francesco, Ranieri, José Mourinho, Paulo Fonseca, Daniele De Rossi and Júrić among them—proving his value transcends tactical philosophy or midfield partners. The 29-year-old has now made 365 official appearances for Roma, entering the club's top 10 all-time list and surpassing Masetti. After the victory, Cristante told Sky Sport: "I am honoured, and I hope to make as many appearances as possible and to continue like this." Roma's next fixture is a trip to Lecce.

Roma will learn the full league-phase schedule for the UEFA Champions League on 29 August, with the phase running from 8–10 September through 27 January. Real Madrid, Sporting, Lille and Slovan Bratislava will visit the Olimpico, while Roma travel to face PSG, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and AEK Athens. The club has already sold 40,000 cup subscriptions, with the Curva Sud and Distinti Sud sections sold out. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to keep the starting eleven largely intact following Roma's convincing opening display against Fiorentina, fielding it again away at Lecce on Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora is on course to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, with a battle between Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina for the right-back position. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to retain their places. Defence headaches persist: Devyne Rensch will miss the Lecce trip due to a left-flexor problem and continues treatment, while Lorenzo Pellegrini continues his recovery work on an individual programme.

Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo believes the club is strong this season and could be even better with the addition of a left-sided attacker, but emphasised that Paulo Dybala's physical condition may prove more decisive than the summer transfer activity. Pruzzo said: "Roma is a strong squad, and if it signs the left-sided striker it will be even better. But I have the feeling that much of the weight on a Roma stronger than last year comes from Dybala's condition more than the transfer campaign. Castro is one of the best that could be on the market, I am convinced he will have more playing time than we think. I hope Mora gains confidence and personality." Santiago Castro has been identified as one of the best available targets. Rodrigo Mora, who has arrived this summer, is expected to play a significant role in Roma's attack despite the ongoing search for a left winger. Nando Orsi noted: "Mora was paid quite a lot and for this I expect him to be decisive from the start. There needs to be continuity and he needs to be decisive in important phases of a match." Sandro Sabatini sharply criticised Roma's failure to secure a left winger, remarking: "The left-sided winger search at Roma has become a joke, it's been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't arrived." Sabatini highlighted Dybala's standout performance against Fiorentina, calling it the best display from the Argentine in a decade. On Mora's early showing, Sabatini said: "Mora's start pleased me, but if the name on the shirt had been Baldanzi we would have spoken of a good performance by Baldanzi. He certainly distinguished himself with careful marking on Fagioli."

Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo believes the club is strong this season and could be even better with the addition of a left-sided attacker, but emphasised that Paulo Dybala's physical condition may prove more decisive than the summer transfer activity. Pruzzo said: "Roma is a strong squad, and if it signs the left-sided striker it will be even better. But I have the feeling that much of the weight on a Roma stronger than last year comes from Dybala's condition more than the transfer campaign. Castro is one of the best that could be on the market, I am convinced he will have more playing time than we think. I hope Mora gains confidence and personality." Santiago Castro has been identified as one of the best available targets. Rodrigo Mora, who has arrived this summer, is expected to play a significant role in Roma's attack despite the ongoing search for a left winger. Nando Orsi noted: "Mora was paid quite a lot and for this I expect him to be decisive from the start. There needs to be continuity and he needs to be decisive in important phases of a match." Sandro Sabatini sharply criticised Roma's failure to secure a left winger, remarking: "The left-sided winger search at Roma has become a joke, it's been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't arrived." Sabatini highlighted Dybala's standout performance against Fiorentina, calling it the best display from the Argentine in a decade. On Mora's early showing, Sabatini said: "Mora's start pleased me, but if the name on the shirt had been Baldanzi we would have spoken of a good performance by Baldanzi. He certainly distinguished himself with careful marking on Fagioli."

Roman radio stations aired mixed reaction to Roma's performance against Fiorentina and the club's transfer strategy. Sandro Sabatini (Radio Radio Mattino) highlighted the ongoing struggle to secure a left-sided attacker, saying: "The Roma left winger has become a joke, it has been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't arrived." Sabatini praised Paulo Dybala's display, noting: "A Dybala like the one against Fiorentina we haven't seen in 10 years." He offered a measured assessment of Rodrigo Mora's debut, stating: "Mora's start pleased me, but if the shirt had said Baldanzi we would have spoken of a good Baldanzi performance. He certainly stood out in a scrupulous marking of Fagioli." Nando Orsi (Radio Radio Mattino) set higher expectations for Mora given his transfer fee, saying: "Mora was paid quite a bit and for that reason I expect him to be decisive from the start. We need continuity and for him to be decisive in the important phases of a match." Roberto Pruzzo (Radio Radio Mattino) assessed Roma as strong and noted that resolving the left-wing issue would make them stronger still. He highlighted Santiago Castro as one of the best available signings on the market, stating: "I am convinced he will have more playing time than we think." Pruzzo concluded: "I hope Mora gains confidence and personality." Pruzzo also suggested that Roma's overall strength this season may owe more to Paulo Dybala's form than to the summer's transfer activity, and expressed optimism about the squad's trajectory.

Roma are on the verge of signing Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with the Argentine centre-back expected to arrive in the capital on 29 August to complete the formalities and undergo medical tests at Campus Biomedico. The move comes after Jan Ziółkowski's departure to Monza created a need for defensive reinforcement. Balerdi, born in 1999, will join on a loan with an option to purchase, with Roma paying approximately €2 million in loan fees and holding a conditional right of redemption set at around €15 million and linked to the player's appearances. His contract runs until 2031. The signing will also boost Roma's growing Argentine contingent to five players — Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Nahuel Molina and Santiago Castro are already at the club. Marseille's financial pressures under UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations accelerated the deal, allowing Roma to secure the Argentine international as they continue to reshape their squad in the closing stages of the summer transfer window. Balerdi holds an Italian passport and will not occupy a non-EU registration slot, easing administrative requirements. The club remains focused on filling their primary target — a left-sided attacking midfielder — before the window closes, but has used the intervening period to strengthen the backline further. The arrival of Balerdi will add another experienced voice to Roma's defence. He becomes part of what the club describes as the largest cohort of foreign players in the squad's history, with the Argentine presence now numbering five across the roster at Trigoria.

Roma will learn the full league-phase schedule for the UEFA Champions League on 29 August, with the phase running from 8–10 September through 27 January. Real Madrid, Sporting, Lille and Slovan Bratislava will visit the Olimpico, while Roma travel to face PSG, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe and AEK Athens. The club has already sold 40,000 cup subscriptions, with the Curva Sud and Distinti Sud sections sold out. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to keep the starting eleven largely intact following Roma's convincing opening display against Fiorentina, fielding it again away at Lecce on Via del Mare. Rodrigo Mora is on course to start alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen in attack, with a battle between Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina for the right-back position. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to retain their places. Defence headaches persist: Devyne Rensch will miss the Lecce trip due to a left-flexor problem and continues treatment, while Lorenzo Pellegrini continues his recovery work on an individual programme.

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.