Bologna eye Vaz loan if Castro departs; Roma open to sending young forward out

Jayden Oosterwolde has passed fresh medical examinations as Roma and Fenerbahçe continue negotiations over the structure of his transfer. The deal had stalled for over 24 hours while the club assessed the recovery timeline for a muscle problem the Dutch defender sustained 20 days ago. According to reports from Turkey, Oosterwolde is now cleared to sign for Roma. The two clubs are currently in dialogue to revise the terms of the mandatory redemption clause, with the obligation to buy now likely to be tied to a higher number of appearances. The muscle injury evidently requires an extended rehabilitation period, prompting Roma's medical team to establish realistic return dates before pressing ahead.

Roma are preparing to part with Jan Ziółkowski after the defender fell out of Gian Piero Gasperini's regular rotation. The Polish centre-back, who completed Roma's pre-season training, featured in friendlies and remained in the squad for the opening league match against Fiorentina, is now set to leave the club to play regularly. Monza are close to finalising a move in Serie A. Ziółkowski's departure has been anticipated for some time. Negotiations between Roma, Monza and the player's representatives accelerated on 26 August, with the prospect of a swift resolution. The structure being discussed is a loan deal, though a final obstacle remains unresolved. Monza want to include a redemption clause in the agreement, a condition Roma have not yet accepted. Once this detail is settled, Ziółkowski will be free to begin his new challenge at the Lombard club. According to Fabrizio Romano, talks between the player's agents and both clubs took place on 26 August and could reach a conclusion rapidly. The player's intentions are clear: Ziółkowski wants more playing time, consistency and a starring role. Monza have offered him guarantees on that front. The sticking point centres entirely on whether the loan will contain a redemption clause, the final compromise needed before Ziółkowski departs Roma's Trigoria training ground.

Roma are in negotiations with Nottingham Forest over the signing of centre-back Morato on a loan deal with a right to buy that can become an obligation under certain conditions. The 2001-born Brazilian, 1.92 metres tall, arrived at Benfica at the age of 18 from São Paulo before moving to the Premier League. He is a left-footed central defender capable of playing left-back or full-back across the line when required. Gasperini is understood to find the profile attractive. Morato possesses the physical attributes, technical quality and versatility the Roma head coach values. He is strong in duels, competent at defending high up the pitch, and unafraid to step out of the line and support play when he recovers possession—a characteristic Gasperini prizes in his defensive schemes. In a three-man defence he can operate as a centre-back or as a flank-based centre-half, able to tighten, widen, follow his man or assist down the flank. The article describes him as a player who can be moulded but who already possesses many of the qualities Roma's tactical system demands. The nickname 'ice stone'—coined by his father to describe his coolness—reflects his composure. His experience at Benfica taught him to operate across multiple defensive positions. At 1.92 metres he brings height and strength to the backline. He is characterised as a raw prospect capable of becoming a significant addition to Roma's defence under Gasperini's guidance.

Roma begin the 2026-27 Serie A season at home to Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini naming Rodrigo Mora in the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé drops to the bench. Lulli makes his competitive debut on the right flank in place of Nahuel Molina, who is not at full fitness; Wesley operates on the left. The defence comprises Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, with Mile Svilar in goal. Gasperini's 3-4-1-2 formation pairs Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné in midfield. Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, line up in a 4-3-2-1 with David De Gea in goal and Lautaro Pellegrino as their striker. Roma's substitutes bench includes De Marzi, Koulierakis, Ghilardi, Ziółkowski, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Vaz, Castro, and Soulé.

Roma take on Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico at 20:45 in the opening fixture of the Serie A season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named a 22-man squad for the match, with all new signings included in the selection. The squad omits Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch. In goal, Gasperini has selected Mile Svilar, Giorgio De Marzi, and Pierluigi Gollini. The defence includes Konstantinos Koulierakis, Evan N'Dicka, Nahuel Molina, Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Jan Ziółkowski, Wesley, Lulli, and Daniele Ghilardi. Midfield options are Bryan Cristante, Neil El Aynaoui, Manu Koné, Niccolò Pisilli, and Rodrigo Mora. Attacking players named are Santiago Castro, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé, Paulo Dybala, and Robinio Vaz.

Roma have announced their squad for tonight's match against Fiorentina. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has called up 23 players across all positions. Defenders named are Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield contingent comprises Cristante, El Aynaoui, Koné, Pisilli and Mora, while the forward line includes Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala and Vaz.

Andrea Stramaccioni, analysing Roma's 24 August fixture against Fiorentina for DAZN, praised the team's physical condition and intensity, highlighting their high press and defensive organisation. Speaking to Teleradiostereo, he drew particular attention to Paulo Dybala's form. "I played against Gasperini at Palermo when he had Dybala, and what I saw on Monday reminds me exactly of that Paulo in terms of athletic condition," Stramaccioni said. The former coach emphasised the importance of Roma's core group of Italian players and their leadership. "The block of Italians is important. From outside it's hard to understand how important it is to have a tested group that guides the dressing room and would throw themselves in the fire for the coach," he stated. He noted Bryan Cristante's defensive positioning and highlighted Manu Koné as operating "in world form," questioning why France manager Deschamps did not field him in the semi-final. Stramaccioni also praised Santiago Castro, noting Gasperini "almost had to hold Castro back" given the Argentine's eagerness, and spoke of a strong Argentine contingent within the squad driving exceptional desire. Stramaccioni identified a left winger as the missing piece for Roma to harbour serious title ambitions under Gasperini. "Gasperini played Champions League and knows you need two squads. He always says value comes from those in front, it's not rocket science. He won at Atalanta with three strikers; he wants two per role now. Right now one is missing—someone more capable of starting from the left. Today both Dybala and Soulé migrate out but prefer to start from the right. Mora I like very much, but another is needed on the centre-left." Regarding squad development, Stramaccioni noted Lulli's backstory: "His is a nice story. He comes from Palestrina, was enrolled at Roma's Acquacetosa football school and had to quit because of distance from home. Now he's returned and is reaping the rewards." Looking at the transfer window closing days, Stramaccioni said Inter are defined as complete, while Juventus still seek both a striker and midfielder. "Roma I don't think will take a starting player, but they need to complete the squad," he concluded.

Roberto Pruzzo has praised Roma's attacking duo of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen following the opening match of the season, describing their partnership as making a very good impression. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Roma legend highlighted Dybala's physical condition after Gasperini described him as a "beast" at full-time. "If he has no physical setbacks, as far as quality goes he is one of the best in Serie A, if not the best outright," Pruzzo said. He also noted Malen's prolific form since arriving in Italy, saying the winger scores almost a goal per game, and praised the entire squad's physical readiness. "The whole team seemed tonic to me, in good physical condition." Despite the attacking display, Pruzzo tempered expectations about Roma's title prospects. When asked whether Roma could close the gap on Inter with Dybala and Malen performing at this level, he acknowledged the possibility but warned of the scale of the challenge ahead. "You can get closer but in my opinion Inter start ten points ahead of all the others," he said. "Of course, having Dybala and Malen at these levels is a guarantee." Pruzzo also drew attention to Santiago Castro as another player to watch in Roma's attack. On Rodrigo Mora, he advised caution: "Mora? He needs to be managed."

Roma legend Roberto Pruzzo has praised the attacking partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen following the opening round of Serie A, though he cautions that Inter remain the clear title favourites. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Pruzzo highlighted both players' impact in Roma's first fixture. "I'd say it was very good, even though we already knew the qualities of Dybala and Malen," Pruzzo said. "Of course, if Paulo is in this condition it's even nicer to watch. Malen, since he arrived in Italy, scores almost a goal a match. But it's the whole squad that seemed toned up, physically ready to me." Gasperini described Dybala as physically a "beast" at the end of the match, a description Pruzzo endorsed. "Well, if he doesn't have physical setbacks, in terms of quality he's one of the best in Serie A, if not the best overall," Pruzzo noted. He also flagged Santiago Castro as a player to watch. On Roma's title prospects, Pruzzo said: "They can get closer, but in my view Inter start ten points ahead of everyone else. Of course, having Dybala and Malen at these levels is a guarantee. But I don't forget someone like Castro either. Mora needs to be managed." Pruzzo's assessment reflects Roma's strong opening display while tempering expectations against a dominant Inter side.

Six AS Roma players have been nominated for awards at the Gran Galà del Calcio, which takes place on 2 September at the Teatro della Scala in Milan. Sky Sport will broadcast the ceremony live. Mile Svilar is a candidate for best goalkeeper, Evan N'Dicka for best defender, Manu Koné for best midfielder, and Donyell Malen for best forward. Malen has made a strong start to the season with a hat-trick against Fiorentina. Gian Piero Gasperini is also in contention, nominated for best coach of the previous season.

AS Roma will have a strong presence at the 2026 AIC Gran Galà del Calcio on 2 September at Milan's Teatro alla Scala, with the club nominated for multiple individual and collective honours. Roma is in contention for the award of Society of the Year alongside Como and Inter, reflecting the strength of its season. Five Roma players and staff feature on the award shortlists: Mile Svilar is a candidate for best goalkeeper, Evan N'Dicka is among the selected defenders, Manu Koné is listed among the best midfielders, Donyell Malen appears in the forwards' list, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is nominated in the managers' category. The gala represents recognition of Roma's competitive standing this season. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Sky Sport from 7 p.m., streamed on NOW, and shown on free-to-air TV8 from 9:20 p.m.

Paulo Dybala has chosen to remain at Roma and continue his experience at the club, rejecting opportunities to return to Argentina or seek a move to the Middle East. Now a mature player beyond the pursuit of World Cups or lucrative long-term contracts elsewhere, Dybala has full awareness of his role at Roma and appears content with it. His relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini mirrors that with his predecessors: the coach deploys him whenever he is fit, with strong understanding between them. Unlike some ageing players, Dybala does not require careful management to avoid fatigue-related injury; his physical problems arrive without warning and are not caused by wear and tear. When he is healthy, managers use him as much as possible. In Roma's recent fixture against Fiorentina, Dybala demonstrated mature football by placing himself entirely at the service of teammate Donyell Malen. Beyond an early attempt at goal, he operated to support the Dutch forward, seemingly keen to help him break Roberto Pruzzo's single-match goal record of five, set against Avellino in 1985–86. This reflected a version of Dybala liberated from routine responsibilities and focused solely on playing the matches that injury and misfortune have too often denied him. His choice of continuity at Roma, combined with his partnership with Gasperini and his willingness to elevate teammates, underlines the maturity of a phenomenal footballer entering a new chapter.