Champions League qualification won't alter Roma's sale plans: Koné closest to the exit

Roma are working on a move for Endrick as they strengthen their attack, positioning themselves well in the race for the Brazilian forward. The club has been operating behind the scenes on the operation for several weeks. However, much depends on the player's willingness. Endrick arrived at Real Madrid's pre-season retreat determined to fight for his place under Mourinho despite competition in the attacking department. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, his entourage is pushing for a new loan experience away from the Bernabéu, particularly given his positive spell at Lyon and precedents such as Nico Paz. Endrick himself is not yet convinced about leaving Madrid, a situation that works against Roma's pursuit. The competition for his signature is intense, but sporting director D'Amico continues working to position Roma at the front of the queue should a loan opportunity open up. Gasperini and the club regard Endrick as the ideal profile for his characteristics, age, and quality already demonstrated at the highest level.

Roma are pursuing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born left winger from Porto, as they search for the final piece of their summer transfer puzzle. Director Tony D'Amico has targeted the technically gifted Mora after failed approaches for Greenwood and Summerville, plus wider interest in Nusa and Fofana. Roma have roughly two weeks to complete the deal before their Serie A season opens against Fiorentina. Mora, at 168 centimetres tall, uses his low centre of gravity to excel in tight spaces and in the final third. His former Porto coach praised his ability to play between the lines and his willingness to work hard in defence: "Rodrigo is a player who excels in playing between the lines, in the final pass and in dribbling in the opponent's half. He is a brave young man, who does not feel the weight of playing at such a high level. He works hard always and accepts the responsibility of sacrificing himself in the defensive phase when we do not have the ball." Naturally a number ten, Mora can operate across multiple attacking roles on either flank. D'Amico aims to wrap up the transfer quickly to give Gasperini the attacking winger the club has pursued for a year. Mora represents a prospect with significant growth potential rather than a finished product, offering what Roma see as a strong technical and financial investment for the future.

Roma will launch a new bid for left-back Alessio Cacciamani in the coming days after Torino's initial resistance to his departure has begun to ease. The Giallorossi have been working on the deal for several days and have already seen a €13 million offer rejected, with Torino demanding at least €20 million. Sporting director D'Amico is preparing to increase Roma's bid to accelerate a move before the season begins, with head coach Gasperini keen to strengthen the squad in that position. Torino's technical director Gianluca Petrachi acknowledged the possibility of Cacciamani's departure, stating: "We would like to continue with lads like him, but we also have to reckon with a market that sometimes presents absurd prices, mad ones, that you simply cannot take into account." However, Petrachi added that the club remains committed to retaining the player, saying: "Our intention is to keep him." Despite Torino president Cairo's public position, Petrachi's comments suggest there is room for negotiation. Gasperini and D'Amico are hopeful the fresh offer will finally break Torino's resistance and bring Cacciamani to the Olimpico.

Roma's defence, which finished as Serie A's second-best last season, has shown alarming fragility during their pre-season tour of Britain. The Giallorossi conceded eight goals across three friendlies—four against Cardiff, one against Newport, and three against Brighton—with the tally rising to 11 when including a 3–3 draw against Cannes. Against Brighton on 8 August, Gasperini made wholesale defensive changes after Roma had shipped three goals in 49 minutes, introducing Ghilardi and new arrival Koulierakis while withdrawing N'Dicka and Hermoso. The ivory-coast central defender had failed to close down Ayari's double, prompting Gasperini to turn to the bench and shout "Let's change." Hermoso, managing an ankle problem, allowed Rutter to nearly extend the lead moments after the 3–0. Earlier defensive lapses against Cardiff exposed deeper issues: Ahsford's opener came after N'Dicka slipped and a rebound off Rensch, while Salech's second followed a costly Svilar error on a dangerous Wesley backpass. El Aynaoui was substituted at half-time after a misplaced pass that set up Ayari's second goal, and Rensch drew criticism for poor decision-making. The unit that had anchored Roma's recent success now appears fragile heading into the season. Gasperini acknowledged the work ahead, saying "the team is struggling to switch back on," highlighting the scale of the challenge to restore defensive solidity before competitive fixtures begin.

Roma's pre-season tour of England ended in a heavy 3–0 defeat to Brighton. Goals from Georginio and a double from Ayari condemned the Giallorossi to a sluggish, listless performance that prompted immediate concern from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. "Terrible: a poor performance, lacking the right concentration. We're struggling to switch on, but we think we can fix it soon," Gasperini said after the match. The squad returns to Trigoria on Tuesday for group training, which will mark Nahuel Molina's first session with the team. Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury layoff extends beyond initial expectations, with Gasperini warning recovery will take at least a month and the matter will be reassessed in September. The coach also urged patience for players returning from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen among them—as Roma prepare for Serie A's start in a fortnight. On the transfer front, Gasperini confirmed changes to the squad. "We replaced Çelik with Molina and Dovbyk with Castro, then Koulierakis arrived. But numerically we still need something. D'Amico is negotiating very young but important players," he said, referencing director Tony D'Amico's ongoing dealings in the market.

Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged Roma's transfer shortfall after a poor showing in a friendly against Brighton, conceding that the club lacks adequate depth. The head coach said: "If we do the count, numerically there is still a need for something, but you know how it is. D'Amico is negotiating very young and very important players. That is the indication." Gasperini stressed that squad decisions rest with the club's chief executive, saying: "We have a chief executive, you will have to ask him these questions and he will say what Roma can and cannot do. On numbers and market possibilities the ball passes to him." Gasperini cited returnees from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen—as still recovering their sharpness. He praised Paulo Dybala's fitness and noted that recent arrivals from the start of preseason had performed well. The manager confirmed that an injured player "will be out for at least a month," with discussion to resume from September onward. Gasperini also highlighted recent squad changes: "We replaced Çelik with Molina, whom we will see on Tuesday. We replaced Dovbyk with Castro, who I believe will give us great satisfaction. And then Koulierakis arrived, who seems interesting to complete the defence."