Çelik disappointed by World Cup exit; contract renewal expected soon

Franck Kessié's future remains undecided as Juventus continue negotiations with the midfielder, but no final agreement has been reached between player and club. The talks are ongoing and incomplete, leaving space for other interested parties to remain in contention. Roma, under Gasperini, are actively monitoring developments and have maintained contact with Kessié. The giallorossi kept their channels open today and remain concretely in the running. Because Kessié has not yet made a decision, the pursuit remains wide open; Juventus continue their work, but Roma's involvement suggests the race for the midfielder is far from settled.

Roma are close to securing Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with the club planning the Argentine defender's travel and medical examinations for 29 August ahead of his contract signing. The deal, accelerated in recent hours, involves Balerdi joining on loan with an obligation to buy dependent on specified conditions. According to Nicolò Schira, intermediary Gabriele Giuffrida has played a key role in moving the transfer forward, with only final details on the buyout clause's triggering conditions left to resolve. The proposed contract structure offers Balerdi a one-year deal plus four further years, potentially keeping him at Roma until 2031. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is awaiting the arrival of the 1999-born centre-back to strengthen the defence with international experience and aggressive, possession-based qualities suited to Roma's tactical approach. The move came after the collapse of an attempt to sign Jayden Oosterwolde, which fell through following medical concerns. Sporting director Tony D'Amico moved quickly to find an alternative reinforcement for the back line.

Hull City have entered the race for Lyon winger Malick Fofana with a €35 million offer for the Belgian, threatening to derail Roma's long-standing interest in the player. The English club have already held direct talks with Fofana to outline their project, and are now awaiting his response before moving to finalise the deal. Hull City are simultaneously pursuing a loan move with a purchase option for Roma's Robinio Vaz on the same Lyon-Roma axis. Roma had reached personal terms with Fofana in recent weeks and the player had expressed his willingness to join the club. However, the Giallorossi have failed to follow up their interest with a concrete offer to Lyon in recent days, leaving the door open for competitors. Gian Piero Gasperini has requested an attacking winger, and sporting director Tony D'Amico is evaluating alternative options as well. The central issue is the transfer structure: Lyon require a permanent sale and are unwilling to let Fofana leave on loan, a formula that would have allowed Roma to operate more flexibly within their tight end-of-window budget. Hull City, by contrast, have tabled a bid for an outright purchase. Roma face mounting pressure to decide whether to return with a serious assault on the deal or concede ground to their competitors as the transfer deadline approaches.

The relationship between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and sporting director Ricky Massara deteriorated throughout the 2025–26 season, marked by clashing views on transfer strategy, public criticism and mounting friction that became irreparable. Massara, who felt treated as an amateur despite his substantial track record, endured difficult months in silence, though tension grew steadily. The conflict began last summer during negotiations for Sancho and Fabio Silva, then escalated in late August when Massara said "Sancho at the moment remains a suggestion because I don't think there are the conditions or the motivations," while Gasperini later replied: "Sancho never refused Roma." The situation exploded in early September during a heated discussion at Fulvio Bernardini, where Gasperini accused Massara of being too slow in negotiations, dismissing the restrictions imposed by Financial Fair Play and inherited difficulties. Disputes over specific targets fuelled the rift further: Gasperini's veto on Raspadori, his preference for Malen over Zirkzee, and disagreements over Robinio Vaz. The breakdown continued from a distance after Massara moved to Juventus, with the director's pursuit of Zeki Çelik irritating Roma while Gasperini attempted to insert himself into the Juventus deal for Kessié. The definitive rupture came in spring, when Gasperini rejected Kerim Alajbegovic and made his position clear: having secured the departure of Ranieri, he wanted Massara gone as well to remain at Roma.

Kostas Tsimikas could be offered a fresh chance in Serie A after his difficult spell at Roma. The left-back has returned to Liverpool but has caught the attention of Juventus, who are searching for a deputy to Cambiaso. Massara, who brought Tsimikas to Roma last summer, could reunite with the defender at Turin. According to Corriere dello Sport, Juventus view Tsimikas as a low-cost option to strengthen their defence. The move would also reunite him with Zeki Çelik, who transferred to Juventus in early July. Tsimikas arrived at Roma on loan from Liverpool ahead of the 2025–26 season but struggled during his time in the capital.

Emanuele Lulli made his Serie A debut in Roma's 4–0 victory over Fiorentina on 24 August 2026, delivering numbers that exceeded the seasonal average of predecessor Zeki Çelik. The 19-year-old academy product recorded four successful tackles, 56 touches, 86.5% pass accuracy, seven duels won out of ten, and a decisive recovery that led to Donyell Malen's goal for the 3–0. In the 2025–26 season, Çelik averaged a rating between 6.7 and 7.0 with roughly two tackles per 90 minutes and solid passing precision; Lulli's intensity and physicality in his opening match surpassed that baseline. The comparison extends beyond statistics. Çelik managed play with experience and positional sense across four years in the shirt; Lulli brought the aggressive, tireless profile that Gasperini has consistently sought in his wide defenders—more in the mould of a pressing, high-intensity fullback than a controlled operator. Gasperini's system rewards corsa, aggressiveness and constant covering rather than refined crossing. Çelik departed for Juventus without generating significant regret, but a Palestrina and Trigoria academy graduate has now demonstrated, at least in raw output, superior performance to the departed player's average. Lulli remains incomplete. He must improve his ball management and the quality of his final pass. He showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the context and contributed concretely to Roma's cause. The performance serves as more than tactical encouragement: it reinforces a working principle that the academy, when given proper development and managerial backing, can generate solutions better suited to Gasperini's model than external recruitment alone.

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.

Roma's transfer activity on 28 August focused on outgoings and incomings across multiple positions. Robinio Vaz's move to Hull City moved closer to completion after the two clubs agreed terms on a loan deal worth €2 million with a €30 million purchase option. Hull and Roma have already reached an agreement, with today's key moment being a meeting between the English club and Vaz's agents to secure the player's personal approval. Vaz must still decide whether to accept the move to England, but his departure would create space for Roma to pursue an attacking wide player. Neil El Aynaoui, the 25-year-old midfielder, attracted interest from the Premier League and Bundesliga, with the player keen to find more regular playing time. Roma would prefer a permanent sale, but most offers have come in the form of loans, particularly from Germany. His potential exit could prompt Roma to seek a replacement on similar financial terms. Meanwhile, Gian Piero Gasperini has expressed a preference for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens over Malick Fofana for the attacking role, citing the Chelsea player's physical characteristics and ability to shoot. Roma made a fresh approach to Chelsea in recent days, hoping for an opening to a loan deal. Their previous proposal included approximately €3 million for the loan and a purchase option between €37 and €40 million, but Chelsea had rejected it. Roma will attempt to reopen negotiations in the final days of the window. Fofana's stock has declined after Roma completed the acquisition of Rodrigo Mora. Roma had reached agreement with the 21-year-old Lyon winger weeks earlier and structured a deal with Lyon around €30 million plus bonuses, but circumstances changed following Mora's purchase. Roma can now realistically only offer Fofana a loan with a purchase option, and some concerns persist about the Belgian's physical durability following previous ankle problems. In defence, Roma evaluated Nayef Aguerd, the 30-year-old Marseille centre-back, as a potential option to complete the rearguard. This interest came as other defensive targets cooled. Morato, the 25-year-old Brazilian centre-back, had been in close contact with Nottingham Forest but lost ground in Roma's thinking and reportedly did not fully convince Gasperini. Any defensive arrival remains dependent on Jan Ziółkowski's departure, which Roma will only greenlight once they have secured a replacement. Roma also monitored younger talent. Ante Mardešić, a 17-year-old Croatian midfielder from Trnje's 2009 generation, spent two weeks on trial at Trigoria and impressed Roma's staff sufficiently that the club now intends to negotiate his signing for the youth setup. Roma also made an exploratory enquiry about Rocco Vata, a 21-year-old Irish winger at Watford, though Bologna have also moved for him. The club's final-window priorities remain Bynoe-Gittens and Fofana for the attacking department. Separately, Malick Fofana attracted additional suitors when Hull City signalled interest in the Lyon winger, who the French club values at approximately €35 million.

Roma's pursuit of a left-sided attacking midfielder dominates transfer discussion across Rome radio as the summer window approaches its final days. Commentators on Tele Radio Stereo, Rete Sport and Radio Radio debate whether Gasperini will land his primary target—a wide forward he has been seeking for 15 months—or be forced into a late compromise. Lorenzo Pes stated: "Between Gittens and Fofana, the first is preferred especially by the coach. As long as there is time to do it, Roma will try to construct the operation with Chelsea. The English club has not yet given openings, but Roma will continue to push. If it becomes clear there will be no margin, then we will go to Fofana. The agreement there you had already found. But Gittens has the financial and technical favour, and for this remains the favourite. The two clubs have good relations." Pes added that Gittens would arrive on loan if a deal is struck in the final hours of the market. Alessio Nardo expressed frustration at the extended delay. "Surreal this situation. Gasperini has been asking for this attacking winger profile for 15 months. The important thing is not to find ourselves taking the Zaragoza of the moment on the last day of the market. You must take someone strong, an added starter and not the last leftover that happens to you. You are still in serious delay—we are at the end of a very long transfer campaign and you are still missing that player there. It has become a novel. It would be grotesque to end up with the short end of the stick, and even more demoralizing to take the Zaragoza of the moment at the last." Gianluca Piacentini noted that Roma correctly declined to sign Oosterwolde and that Gasperini likely prefers a player with different physical characteristics than Mora, making Fofana an option—though Gittens's loan structure makes him likely to arrive only in the final window hours if at all. Francesca Ferrazza reported that Roma has neither confirmed nor denied interest in Kessié or Fofana, describing the situation as "very very complicated" and dependent on other pieces falling into place. She also noted that Gasperini's reaction to El Aynaoui's approach in training "does not drive him crazy," raising questions about the winger's future. Piero Torri suggested Kessié's agent approached Roma as leverage to accelerate Juventus's interest, implying Roma is being used in a negotiating game. Roberto Pruzzo expressed scepticism about Kessié's fit for Serie A and backed the idea of selling El Aynaoui if Roma can bring in a player with different strengths. He predicted a 2–0 Lecce result, while Nando Orsi suggested De Roon as an unconventional alternative despite his 35 years and predicted a draw. Checco Oddo Casano warned Roma could be left empty-handed if decisions do not come before Friday and the weekend fixture congestion dilutes focus. The club remains without a fifth defender and a left-sided midfielder as the window enters its final stretch.

Rodrigo Mora has impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini despite being deployed from the first minute, but the manager has signalled that a second attacking reinforcement is needed to complete the summer overhaul. Mora's contract contains a €110 million release clause. Sports director D'Amico is focused on identifying that final piece after closing the Oosterwolde deal, responding to Gasperini's requests made at the start of summer. With Lyon's decision on Fofana still pending, Donyell Malen sits atop Roma's target list. Chelsea have already rejected Roma's opening proposal for the winger, but the club intends to return with a fresh bid in the coming days. Chelsea have also registered interest in Manu Koné should Enzo Fernandez depart, while Crystal Palace have reportedly approached Roma regarding Neil El Aynaoui. Meanwhile, Roma are working to find solutions for surplus players Anass Salah-Eddine and Vasquez, the remaining members outside the project still at Trigoria.

The imminent arrival of Jayden Oosterwolde could trigger a departure in Roma's defence, with the new acquisition able to play both left-back and centre-back, offering head coach Gian Piero Gasperini additional flexibility. In the final days of the transfer window, either Jan Ziolkowski or Daniele Ghilardi may leave the club. Ziolkowski is the more marketable asset. The Polish defender has attracted interest from two Saudi clubs, particularly Neom, which has registered strong interest. Roma value him at around €20 million, partly because Legia Varsavia retain 10% of any future sale. According to Corriere dello Sport, Roma are awaiting an offer in the region of €16 million from the Saudi club—a figure that could open genuine negotiations. A sale would carry significant importance for Roma's incoming transfers; with Oosterwolde acquired through a deal that defers much of the expenditure, any proceeds from Ziolkowski could become a small fund to reinvest in the attacking winger Gasperini has requested. Oosterwolde's arrival would also permit Roma to lose a centre-back without becoming numerically exposed in defence. Ghilardi is also under scrutiny following reported interest from Bologna. Roma will assess any proposals, and should either defender depart, D'Amico may pursue another centre-back on loan in the final days. Salah-Eddine remains outside the plans, continuing to train separately after rejecting several transfer options including Olympiacos.

Roma remain active in the transfer market with one day until their Serie A opener against Fiorentina, but several targets remain out of reach. The club has completed the signing of Oosterwolde, who is expected to arrive in the capital in the coming hours, and sporting director D'Amico continues searching for a final piece to complete Gasperini's squad. Left winger remains the priority, with three names under consideration: Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Malick Fofana and Rafael Leão. Chelsea have flatly rejected Roma's approach for Gittens on loan, with the London club insisting on a permanent transfer only and viewing the player as not for sale. Roma plan a fresh meeting with Chelsea in the coming week to explore whether the club might reconsider, but the obstacle remains substantial. For Leão, Milan are asking for €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses, though the Portuguese winger has opened to a move to Roma and put Turkish proposals on hold. Roma are reasoning around a package of €45 million, with agent Jorge Mendes playing a central role in negotiations. Fofana's availability hinges on whether Lyon qualify for the Champions League—their return leg against Fenerbahçe takes place on 26 August. If they advance, the Belgian winger will stay; otherwise, a sale becomes likely. Luis Henrique remains far from completion despite Roma and Inter making progress on transfer terms. The key obstacle is a lack of agreement with the player himself. Elsewhere, Roma have made contact with Brighton regarding Yasin Ayari, a 2003-born midfielder, though Borussia Dortmund are competing for his signature. Jan Ziółkowski is available for transfer at €20 million valuation, with Saudi Arabian clubs showing interest. Should he depart, Roma plan to pursue a defender on loan, with Salah-Eddine continuing to field other offers after rejecting Olympiacos.