Kessié fails to convince Roma; Freuler also moves away from reach

Atlético Madrid has set a asking price of €30 million for Argentine defender Molina, who has emerged as a target for Roma as the club seeks a new right-back option. Head coach Gasperini is keen on the former Udinese player, who is also of interest to Inter, Juventus, and Napoli. Molina is contracted to Atlético until 2028, and club leadership under Simeone has indicated a strong desire to retain him, creating a significant obstacle to any potential move. Roma's interest in Molina comes as the club continues to evaluate defensive reinforcements on the right flank. Current right-back Celik is close to agreeing a contract renewal, but the club remains open to alternatives. The €30 million valuation represents a substantial investment, though Atlético's determination to keep Molina—in contrast to their more flexible stance on other defenders like Ruggeri—suggests negotiations could prove challenging. Roma will face competition from multiple Serie A rivals pursuing the same target.

Roma has moved to protect Wesley following recent speculation linking the defender to Inter. The club's position on the matter is described as firm, signalling its intent to retain the player despite reported interest from both Inter and Chelsea. The move represents Roma's clear message to rival clubs that Wesley is not available for departure. Details remain unclear regarding the specific terms of any new agreement or formal statement from the club.

Mehdi Benatia, a former Roma and Juventus defender now serving as an executive at Marseille, commented on Moroccan midfielder El Aynaoui in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Benatia expressed surprise at El Aynaoui's limited playing time at Roma despite recognizing his quality. He revealed an attempt to sign the player for Marseille but stated the cost was prohibitive. Benatia said: "He is very strong because he combines quality and quantity. I didn't understand why he played less at Roma than I would have expected. I tried to bring him to my Marseille, but he was too expensive." El Aynaoui has been a Roma midfielder in recent seasons, and the comments suggest the club may not have maximized his deployment. Benatia also praised other Moroccan players, particularly Bouaddi, whom he described as exceptional talent with significant market value—reportedly worth over €100 million—and unlikely to move to Italy due to cost. The interview was conducted during discussion of Morocco's World Cup campaign and performance.