Cacciamani deal warming up as Torino weighs market realities

Barcelona are open to a possible departure for Alejandro Balde, with Roma back in the frame for the Spanish left-back, who has fallen out of Hansi Flick's plans and could leave Catalonia in the January transfer window. Roma and Juventus have both reportedly already held exploratory contacts with Jorge Mendes, the player's agent, to learn the conditions of a possible move. The main obstacle is Balde's wage, which is particularly high for the economic parameters of the two Italian clubs. Without agreement on how the salary is split, even a loan could become complicated. According to the Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona would be willing to consider selling the 2003-born player in order to reduce their wage bill and finance new signings. The Catalan club's preference is a permanent sale, but a loan with an option or obligation to buy remains open as a possibility, a formula that could make the deal more accessible. Interest in the player is not limited to Serie A. Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham are all reportedly monitoring him in the Premier League, while Monaco are also following developments closely. For Barcelona, the number of suitors could work in their favour as they look for the most advantageous solution. Balde is described as a quick left-sided player who is particularly effective going forward, a profile that could be an interesting opportunity for Gian Piero Gasperini. For now, however, there are only preliminary enquiries and no advanced negotiations. Tony D'Amico is monitoring the situation, aware that securing the Spaniard will require favourable financial terms and the ability to overcome very strong competition.

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico is already working on strengthening Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the January transfer window, and Alejandro Balde is among his targets. The left-back is leaving Barcelona, and Spanish outlet SPORT reports that his agent Jorge Mendes is already looking for the best solution. D'Amico has reportedly already met Mendes to test the ground and assess whether the deal is feasible. Barcelona want to recoup money quickly, reportedly seeking around €40 million, but the most concrete option is a loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. Balde is among the Barcelona players considered most likely to leave, with Hansi Flick wanting a new central defender and the club's difficult financial situation forcing a sale. The left-back has played only 124 minutes this season. Several clubs are interested, mainly in the Premier League, where Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United are monitoring the situation without having made any official approach. In Italy, Juventus are also interested, but Roma are the most prominent suitors. Balde is highly rated by Gasperini, but the main obstacle is the player's wage. The final decision by Balde and his agent is expected in December, and Roma may not give up on bringing him to the Italian capital until the last moment.

Donyell Malen has become one of the key figures in Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma side, and his market value has more than doubled since he arrived at the club. According to Transfermarkt, the Dutch forward's valuation has risen from €25 million to €55 million, an increase of €30 million, or 120% on the initial figure. At 27 years old, Malen is going through an important phase of his career, and the article credits his time in the Italian capital with relaunching him. Roma exercised their option to buy him in June for €27 million, securing the forward on a permanent basis. The current valuation of €55 million is €28 million more than the purchase price. The article notes that this gap reflects growth in the player's estimated value rather than a profit already realised on a sale. For the Giallorossi, the move is also a positive sign on the balance sheet, as the club's investment in a player whose valuation has risen sharply in just a few months. The article's central point is that Malen's contribution goes beyond his performances on the pitch. He has established himself as one of the team's main reference points and holds a central role in the project, a rise that is reflected in his economic valuation.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A's eleventh round, and Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad without Gianluca Mancini and Pierluigi Gollini. Mancini is out with a muscle strain in his right hamstring, and his recovery time will be monitored in the coming days. Gollini is struggling with a back problem that first emerged on the eve of the Manchester United game. Paulo Dybala, Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also absent. The Giallorossi are looking to move on from their European disappointment against Manchester United at Old Trafford and get their league campaign back on track. Losing Mancini removes one of the key figures from the defensive line, and Gasperini will have to rework his back four. Mile Svilar is also missing from the list, so the goalkeeping options are limited. The main positive news is the return of Manu Koné, who is back in the squad after the physical problem that had sidelined him. His availability is an encouraging sign, although it is not yet clear how he will be used during the match. Among the goalkeepers called up are Vásquez, De Marzi and Kilvinger. The defensive options are Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield includes Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora. The attacking group is Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni and Arena, with the young Maccaroni and Arena completing the forward line.

Manu Koné is back in contention for Roma, but Gianluca Mancini has been ruled out of tonight's Serie A clash with Sassuolo, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad list shows. The eleventh-round fixture kicks off at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. Koné returns from a muscle injury he picked up against Real Madrid, and his availability is a welcome boost for Gasperini. It comes a day after the France midfielder was left out of the national squad by Zidane. Koné could even start alongside Cristante, though the final decisions will only be made this evening. Mancini is out with a strain to his right hamstring (flessore destro), a fresh problem for a defence already missing Rensch. That increases the chances of Leonardo Balerdi or Daniele Ghilardi starting from the first minute. Pierluigi Gollini is also ruled out, still struggling with a back problem, so Devis Vásquez will again be in goal, with the young goalkeepers Giorgio De Marzi and Kilvinger alongside him. Svilar, Dybala and Pellegrini are also unavailable. The squad named by Gasperini is as follows. Goalkeepers: Vásquez, De Marzi, Kilvinger. Defenders: Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli, Ghilardi. Midfielders: Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli, Mora. Forwards: Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni, Arena.

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to retain the front three of Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Malen, according to a convergence of the main Italian dailies' probable line-ups published this morning on the eve of Roma's next fixture. Devis Vasquez is tipped to start in goal by six of the seven newspapers, while only Tuttosport suggests Pierluigi Gollini could return. Given the condition of the Italian goalkeeper, the Colombian is firmly favoured to start. The defence is where the picture is less certain. The most popular option is Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso. Leonardo Balerdi, tipped by Il Messaggero, Tuttosport and Corriere della Sera, and Gianluca Mancini, picked by Il Tempo, remain in contention. On the flanks, there is near-unanimous agreement: Molina on the right and Wesley on the left. There is also no doubt in midfield, where Gasperini is expected to rely again on the pairing of Cristante and De Roon. Up front, the choice also appears settled. Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen, who remains Roma's central attacking reference. The only dissenting voice is Tuttosport, which proposes Niccolò Pisilli in place of the Portuguese forward. The probable Roma line-up in a 3-4-2-1 formation is: Vasquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Rodrigo Mora; Malen.