Roma chase Gittens as Fofana interest cools; Aguerd eyed in defence

Roma have put negotiations for Lyon winger Malick Fofana on hold after growing concerned about the financial terms of a move. The Belgian has been Roma's primary target in recent weeks, but the club's sporting director has begun considering a rapid pivot to Gittens instead. Lyon contacted Roma this morning to push the Fofana deal forward, according to Alfredo Pedullà, but the giallorossi are reflecting on the economic aspects of the operation and have shelved the agreement temporarily. Lyon's asking price exceeds €35 million, though the French club are under pressure to sell for balance-sheet reasons and manager Fonseca has signalled openness to letting the attacking winger depart. Other clubs are also in contention for Fofana, further complicating Roma's pursuit.

Leonardo Balerdi is on the verge of joining Roma on a loan deal with a right of purchase from Marseille, with the final details close to being settled. The move is structured as a loan with the right to buy becoming an obligation once certain conditions are met. In a separate development, the Jayden Oosterwolde transfer to Roma has unexpectedly revived after appearing to collapse days ago. According to reports from the Netherlands, Roma and Fenerbahce have reached a new agreement, overcoming the disagreements that had halted negotiations. However, the final piece remains outstanding: Oosterwolde's personal approval of the transfer to the Giallorossi is still required. Elsewhere, Paulo Fonseca addressed Malick Fofana's future ahead of Le Havre's match, saying: "We need to make a sale and selling Fofana is an opportunity, but he will be in the group with us for the next match." Roma has already agreed terms with the player, though Lyon continues to demand approximately €35 million to release him. In radio commentary, Pruzzo noted that Roma's Champions League path is challenging, with opponents of generally good quality: "You have to be ready to compete with everyone." Carina added that the draw could have been more favourable, with Fenerbahce being difficult to face away in Istanbul and Sporting Lisbon presenting another stern test.

Neil El Aynaoui has attracted interest from two European clubs in the final days of the transfer window. Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen have both expressed interest in the Roma midfielder, according to journalist Nicolò Schira. The English Premier League side has been monitoring the Moroccan for several days, and the German Bundesliga champions have now joined the race. Both clubs have made enquiries and gathered information on El Aynaoui's situation. Roma have not yet received any official offers for the 2001-born midfielder from either club. Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen have limited their approach to soundings and expressions of interest, with no formal negotiations underway. The interest extends across two of Europe's top competitions — Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are tracking his profile — but no concrete proposal for his transfer has been tabled so far. The focus remains firmly on preliminary discussions and information-gathering at this stage. With the summer transfer window drawing to a close, it remains unclear whether either side will move to a concrete approach. Roma are waiting to see if one of the two clubs decides to submit an official bid or whether their interest will remain purely exploratory. For now, the situation is confined to the early phases of the market, without any real negotiations having begun.

Leonardo Balerdi is on the verge of joining Roma on a loan deal with a right of purchase from Marseille, with the final details close to being settled. The move is structured as a loan with the right to buy becoming an obligation once certain conditions are met. In a separate development, the Jayden Oosterwolde transfer to Roma has unexpectedly revived after appearing to collapse days ago. According to reports from the Netherlands, Roma and Fenerbahce have reached a new agreement, overcoming the disagreements that had halted negotiations. However, the final piece remains outstanding: Oosterwolde's personal approval of the transfer to the Giallorossi is still required. Elsewhere, Paulo Fonseca addressed Malick Fofana's future ahead of Le Havre's match, saying: "We need to make a sale and selling Fofana is an opportunity, but he will be in the group with us for the next match." Roma has already agreed terms with the player, though Lyon continues to demand approximately €35 million to release him. In radio commentary, Pruzzo noted that Roma's Champions League path is challenging, with opponents of generally good quality: "You have to be ready to compete with everyone." Carina added that the draw could have been more favourable, with Fenerbahce being difficult to face away in Istanbul and Sporting Lisbon presenting another stern test.

Roma are finalising the signing of Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with the deal entering its final stages. Tony D'Amico has negotiated a loan with an obligation to buy subject to certain conditions being met. The move comes after Roma abandoned their pursuit of Jayden Oosterwolde, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini seeking to strengthen his defence in the closing days of the transfer window. Bareldi, a 1999-born Argentine right-footed defender, can play as a centre-back and brings the aggression in pressing, ability to support attacks, and composure in building play that Gasperini requires for a defence operating high up the pitch. The loan deal with conditional obligation represents a different approach to the Oosterwolde pursuit but allows Gasperini to add a defender with significant international experience to his squad. An initial one-year contract plus four further years, binding Balerdi to Roma until 2031, has already been agreed. The deal would be completed in the final days of the market, following the collapse of Roma's earlier operation, the Fenerbahçe deal. According to Nicolò Schira, the transfer is now in its closing stages and could be confirmed shortly.

Roma and Fenerbahce have reportedly reached a fresh agreement to move Dutch defender Jayden Oosterwolde to the Turkish club, according to Voetbal International. The deal would require final approval from the player on new contract terms Roma's representatives have proposed to his representatives. Oosterwolde arrived at Roma but never began his time with the club after failing to pass advanced medical checks. He has since returned to Istanbul. The Roma club has issued a firm denial of any agreement with Fenerbahce, stating from their Trigoria training base that there is no understanding with the Turkish side and the player's situation remains unresolved.

Robinio Vaz did not take part in Roma's training session today. The absence was not due to injury; instead, it stemmed from transfer-related matters affecting the young striker. According to Il Tempo, Vaz was kept out of the session as a precautionary measure while market dynamics involving him are being evaluated. The decision to exclude him from training has become a significant signal to monitor in the closing days of the summer transfer window. Roma have not yet disclosed further details about a potential destination for the player or the structure of any possible deal. The absence should not be interpreted as confirmation of a completed sale; rather, it reflects a precautionary approach as the club assesses Vaz's market situation. Vaz's future has become one of the key transfer files Roma must track before the window closes. Hall City have registered strong interest in the player. The coming hours may provide clearer indications, but today's fact is significant: Vaz did not train with the squad, and the reason, according to Il Tempo, is linked to the transfer market.

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma are evaluating Leonardo Balerdi, the Marseille captain, as a reinforcement for their defence in the closing stages of the transfer window. The 27-year-old Argentine central defender has been shaped by experience across South America, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, and offers tactical flexibility within a three-man defence. In Roma's thinking, Balerdi could numerically fill the position vacated by Jan Ziółkowski, who is currently completing a transfer to Monza. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini sees him primarily as competition for Evan N'Dicka, though his versatility would allow him to operate across multiple defensive positions. Balerdi was born in Villa Mercedes, Argentina, in 1999 and developed at Boca Juniors before joining Borussia Dortmund at twenty. His spell in Germany yielded limited continuity, but the move to Marseille in 2020 proved the turning point. In France he has become a cornerstone of the squad, earning the captain's armband under Roberto De Zerbi's management. The 2025–26 season saw him make 36 appearances for Marseille, scoring once and providing one assist, demonstrating the consistency he has achieved in his adopted league. As a right-footed centre-back, Balerdi combines physical strength, aggression and leadership presence. Beyond his core role, he can operate as a wide centre-back in a three, offering the flexibility Gasperini values for building play from deep and adapting to different defensive constructions. Balerdi made his Argentina debut in 2019 and has become an established international. His potential arrival would add depth and experience to Roma's backline during a season that includes Champions League football, allowing Gasperini to rotate his defensive unit without altering the team's structural shape.

Roma have agreed personal terms with Leonardo Balerdi after securing the departure of Jan Ziółkowski on loan to Monza. The club are now in active negotiations with Marseille over a loan deal with a buy clause that can become mandatory under certain conditions, with the move described as well advanced. Balerdi, 27, is a centre-back who stands 1.88 metres tall and is right-footed. An Argentine international, he came through Boca Juniors before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2019 and moving to Marseille, where he has been a regular since 2020. Roma's proposal to Marseille is structured around a loan with an option to buy that would convert to an obligation if specific conditions are met. The move represents Roma's attempt to add defensive experience to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad after exploring other targets. No transfer fee or the exact conditions triggering a mandatory purchase have been disclosed. The next step depends on Marseille's response and whether the two clubs can find alignment on the structure Roma has proposed.

Roma have approved the sale of Jan Ziółkowski to Monza on loan with a €18 million purchase option. The defender's departure clears the way for the club to pursue Aston Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with director D'Amico negotiating a loan deal with an obligation to buy, subject to conditions. Bareldi was a genuine target for Roma a year ago, when Marseille rejected a move and demanded €30 million. The two clubs are now in talks over different terms. The Argentine centre-back has already agreed personal terms with Roma, as he had a year prior, and is awaiting confirmation to travel to the capital. His arrival would make Balerdi the fifth Argentine player in Roma's squad.