Cacciamani gap narrows with Torino; Ziolkowski sale could fund market push

Roma sporting director D'Amico is already working on the winter transfer window and is reportedly interested in Club Brugge winger Carlos Forbs, with the aim of giving Gian Piero Gasperini a wide player. The Belgian outlet Voetbalnieuws reports that the Giallorossi are among the clubs interested in the 2004-born forward, who already sits alongside the names of Bynoe-Gittens and Endrick on Roma's list. Forbs has taken part in 14 appearances in the Belgian league and the Champions League, scoring 5 goals and providing 8 assists. Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Fiorentina are also interested in the winger. D'Amico could try to get ahead of the competition by moving in the January window, although it is considered difficult for the player to leave in the middle of the season. In the summer, however, his departure appears almost certain.

AS Roma have extended the contract of 2010-born defender Lorenzo Dattilo, according to SkySport, keeping the youngster at the club for the foreseeable future. Dattilo had been at the centre of several transfer rumours, with Atletico Madrid having tried to take him away from Trigoria over the summer. Dattilo, however, was clear that renewing with Roma was his priority. He has now signed a three-year contract, which for the time being puts off any possible departure. Dattilo is part of the youth international set-up and a few months ago was crowned European Under-17 champion. The deal reflects Roma's commitment to their academy talent, with the club now securing one of its promising young players on a long-term basis while Atletico's interest has been kept at bay.

Roma have secured one of the most promising talents in their youth sector, with left-back Lorenzo Dattilo, born in 2010, signing a three-year contract with the Giallorossi. The move sees the club beat the competition from several European sides, above all Atletico Madrid. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Spanish club were ready to invest in the 16-year-old during the summer transfer window, but Dattilo had always made clear he wanted to continue his journey in the capital. The signing closes speculation over his future and confirms the mutual trust between the player and Roma. Dattilo is considered one of the most interesting prospects in the Roma academy. Last summer he was crowned European champion with Italy's Under-17 side, starting despite being under age, a prestigious result that drew the attention of many international scouts. This season the young full-back has already moved up to the Under-18 team, while continuing to shine with Roma's Under-17s, where he has scored one goal and provided one assist in the league. The new three-year contract is therefore an important recognition of his development and another sign of the club's intention to nurture its talent. Roma avoid the risk of losing another gem from their academy, resisting the interest of a prestigious club such as Atletico Madrid. Dattilo remains at Trigoria, where he can continue his development in the yellow and red. Source: Gianluca Di Marzio

Wesley has become far more than a traditional attacking full-back for Roma, according to an in-depth assessment of the Brazilian's development under Gian Piero Gasperini. The 23-year-old has channelled his disappointment at missing the World Cup through injury into a sharper, more complete game, adding creativity, reading of the game and defensive awareness to the running that has always been his main asset. The article notes that Gasperini has been instilling a never-give-up mentality in his Roma side, capable of bouncing back after the Real Madrid defeat and reacting after the heavy beating in Manchester. Wesley embodies that approach. Early in the season some had questioned whether he was falling short of expectations, and his goals have not yet arrived compared with last season. The writer argues that stopping there would be a mistake, because Wesley now offers much more: he creates, defends with greater attention, beats his man and poses a constant threat to opposing defences. The statistics underline the change. Wesley has created 23 chances in Serie A, level with De Bruyne, and the article describes this as the figure that best captures his evolution. Last season he created 33 chances across the whole campaign. He also has 57 passes that break lines, 45 balls won back and 14 successful crosses. He now creates 2.81 chances per game, compared with 1.21 last season. Gasperini said before the trip to Manchester: "Sta facendo bene, è cresciuto" (He is doing well, he has grown). The article adds that Roma are enjoying Wesley, and Gasperini even more so. Carlo Ancelotti, who continues to select him for Brazil, has also noticed his progress. Last season, the article says, Wesley was more raw: he ran tirelessly, scored and had begun showing early signs of his talent, but his work was far from finished. Now he covers more defensively and, when attacking, drifts inside, breaks opposition lines and becomes an extra option for team-mates. The relationship with Mora is described as increasingly important. The two understand each other on the pitch. Wesley starts on the flank but does not stay tied to the line, moving into central areas between the lines and supporting attacks as an additional offensive presence. Mora can exploit these runs to find more space and freedom in the final third without having to guarantee width and depth himself. Wesley attacks, Mora creates, and Roma gain two extra options in the same area of the pitch. The article acknowledges that he is not, for obvious reasons, a De Bruyne, but says this version of Wesley fits Gasperini's Roma perfectly. The coach wanted him strongly and has no intention of giving him up. Off the pitch, the article says Wesley seems to have found his place at Trigoria: he enjoys himself, goes live on social media and always smiles. Gasperini sees him as the hidden gold this squad needed.

Thirteen Roma players have been called up by their national teams for the November international break, a sign of the squad's growing standing at the highest level, according to Il Messaggero's Daniele Aloisi. Trigoria will be almost empty in the early part of the week, with the gates reopening on Wednesday, leaving Gian Piero Gasperini to prepare for the resumption with a heavily reduced group. Gasperini had already made clear his view of the break, calling the upcoming international fixtures "amichevoli o poco più" (friendlies or little more) after the match against Sassuolo. Argentina, the runners-up at the World Cup, begin a new cycle without Lionel Messi and have recalled Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro for friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica. Wesley faces a much longer trip, travelling to Singapore with Brazil for games against the hosts and Japan. Italy boss Roberto Mancini has opted for youth for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium. Niccolò Pisilli and Daniele Ghilardi will join up at Coverciano, while Bryan Cristante remains at Trigoria. Donyell Malen has also been called up and will meet Xavi, the new Netherlands coach, for the first time. Rodrigo Mora returns to the senior national team a year after his last call-up, which coincided with the campaign that ended in victory in the Nations League.

Thirteen Roma players have been called up for international duty, leaving Trigoria largely empty during the break, and Gian Piero Gasperini will have to work with the few who remain in Rome. The Italian report notes that the club's form has made it a reservoir for national teams. Midfielder Manu Koné, who has just recovered, was not called up by France, a fortunate outcome for Gasperini. The first players back will be Ghilardi and Pisilli, who finish their commitments with the match against Belgium on 15 November and are expected at Trigoria the following day, giving them five days to prepare for the game against Parma. Malen returns on 17 November, while Gasperini will be reunited with Lulli and Koulierakis on 18 November. Players who travelled overseas will take longer: Balerdi, Soulé and Castro are due back in Rome by 19 November, just two days before the trip to Emilia. Mora, Wesley and Ndicka are also expected close to the match. The report suggests Gasperini may only have his full squad available on the eve of the clash at the Tardini. The timings make management difficult for Gasperini, who risks having the whole group together only the day before the fixture at the Tardini. The schedule leaves a short window for tactical preparation with the full squad.