De Roon divides Roma: weighing old grudges against new football needs

Roma have made their first offer for Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling as director D'Amico accelerates the club's search for attacking reinforcement. The bid comprised a €5 million loan fee with a conditional obligation to buy set at €35 million, but Stuttgart have rejected the proposal according to Sky Sport. The move reflects Roma's urgency to bolster their offensive options, particularly if Matías Soulé departs the club. Roma are unlikely to abandon the pursuit given the pressing need to fill gaps in the forward line should Soulé leave.

Matías Soulé's future at Roma remains uncertain with two days left in the transfer window. The Argentine winger, Roma's only natural wide forward among the attacking midfielders, had spent the summer with a potential move in the air, but had appeared to be edging closer to staying. That situation has now shifted. According to Il Messaggero, Sunderland have revived their interest in the number 18, while Sky Sport reports that talks are under way with Fulham. A move to England is therefore possible for Soulé, the former Frosinone and Juventus player. Should the former Frosinone and Juventus player depart, Roma would move for two attacking reinforcements to cover the offensive department.

Roma have made their first approach for Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling, but the German club have turned down the proposal. The offer was structured as a loan with a €5 million fee and a €35 million purchase option that would convert to an obligation under certain conditions. Stuttgart rejected the formula. Leweling has emerged as a concrete target in Roma's attack search in recent days under the watch of Tony D'Amico. The pursuit remains active despite the rejection, and Roma are expected to clarify their intentions in the coming days—either by revising their offer or shifting focus to alternative attacking solutions.

Marten de Roon is joining Roma from Atalanta, arriving at Fiumicino airport at 12:10 to begin his move to the club. The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder requested a transfer from Bergamo—where he has been since summer 2015 and holds the club record with 445 appearances—to play Champions League football under Gian Piero Gasperini. The clubs agreed a deal worth 1 million euros. De Roon's arrival enables Neil El Aynaoui's departure to RB Leipzig on loan with an option to buy for a combined total of 29–30 million euros. Gasperini had prioritized signing de Roon as his midfield anchor in Rome. The midfielder is renowned for his positional intelligence and defensive work as a ball-winning midfielder—nicknamed "the dyke" at Atalanta for his ability to shield the defence and enable full-backs and attacking midfielders to press forward without defensive concerns. The relationship between de Roon and Gasperini extends far beyond a typical player-coach dynamic; de Roon functions as the tactical extension of the manager's mind on the pitch. In a recent interview, de Roon praised Gasperini's methods, saying: "He says things in a strong way, it's true, but then he takes you into the Champions League." A viral exchange from May 2026 saw Gasperini remark about midfielder Donyell Malen: "I asked Marten about Malen and he told me to relax, that he was a good lad. If we'd had him from September, we'd already be in the Champions League." With Rensch and Malen, the Dutch contingent at Roma is now complete. De Roon was born in 1991 in Zwijndrecht and began his career at ASWH before joining Feyenoord's youth academy, then Sparta Rotterdam and Heerenveen, where he became captain. At Atalanta, aside from a loan spell at Middlesbrough in 2016–17, he became a symbol of the club and a reference point both on and off the pitch. Off the field, he is deeply family-oriented, married to his childhood sweetheart Ricarda, with whom he has three daughters: Linn-Sophie, Evie, and Bo. He is known for witty and sarcastic social-media use; a celebrated 2021 video showed him at Atalanta's official store promising to pay for shirts for the first three fans to buy his number 15 jersey—after hours with none sold, he left dejected, quipping: "I bet something like this never happens to Messi." However, some Roma fans have raised sharp criticism of de Roon's signing, citing an incident from late April 2023. Atalanta defeated Roma 3–1, days after Roma's Europa League quarter-final victory over Feyenoord. De Roon, who grew up in Rotterdam, posted on Instagram: "When your roots are in Rotterdam and you beat Roma," while showing the middle finger of his left hand holding a Conference League keychain—the same souvenir Mourinho had given to a Dutch journalist after Roma's 2022 Conference League triumph in Tirana against Feyenoord. The Italian football federation fined de Roon 2,500 euros months later for posting content deemed "offensive and insulting." The lingering resentment remains, and de Roon now faces the challenge of winning over Roma supporters on the pitch, backed by Gasperini and a squad ready to receive him.

Neil El Aynaoui is leaving Roma after a single season, with the club and Leipzig reaching an agreement to take the midfielder to the Bundesliga. The transfer is structured as a paid loan of €4 million, accompanied by a purchase option valued at €25 million, with Roma also securing a percentage of any future resale. El Aynaoui arrived in the capital last summer from Ligue 1 and made 34 appearances with two goals in his first year at the club. Despite the significant volume of playing time, he failed to become an essential part of Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical setup, with the tactical fit never fully clicking between player and coach. With the transfer window in its final days, Roma opted to sanction his departure, freeing space in midfield for the club to reshape that area of the squad under Gasperini's direction. The move to Leipzig gives El Aynaoui a fresh start in the Bundesliga and allows Roma to reallocate resources in the midfield during the closing stages of the summer transfer window. After less than a year at the Stadio Olimpico, the paths of El Aynaoui and Roma are set to part ways.

Roma have completed a midfield swap in the final days of the transfer window, signing Marten de Roon from Atalanta while sending Neil El Aynaoui to RB Leipzig. De Roon, 35, is expected at Fiumicino at 12:10 today for medical examination and contract signing. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who worked with the Dutch midfielder at Atalanta, has orchestrated the move to bring one of his trusted lieutenants to the capital. The transfer reflects a shift in Gasperini's midfield vision. De Roon departs Bergamo after an extended spell in the Nerazzurri shirt and had expressed enthusiasm about joining Gasperini at Roma and returning to Champions League football. The arrival of Franck Kessié at Atalanta contributed to the space opening for his exit. Roma negotiated favourable terms, acquiring De Roon on minimal outlay—not a free transfer, but with bonus payments to Atalanta capped at roughly one million euros. De Roon requires no transition period, arriving to integrate immediately into the squad and bring experience and personality to a side preparing for a return to European elite competition. El Aynaoui's departure comes after the Moroccan midfielder failed to build momentum under Gasperini. He joins Leipzig on loan with an obligation fee of 4 million euros and a purchase option set at 25 million euros. The agreement includes a potential percentage of any future resale. El Aynaoui was among the squad members built in previous administrations; his exit signals Gasperini's imprint on midfield composition as the transfer window approaches its close.

Gian Piero Gasperini is poised to field a side almost identical to Roma's opening match against Fiorentina when the club travels to Lecce, with Rodrigo Mora expected to retain his place in an attacking role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Two positions remain competitive: on the right flank, Emanuele Lulli, who impressed on his debut, has been tried again in the starting eleven and could earn another chance from the kick-off, though Nahuel Molina remains in genuine contention despite Lulli gaining ground in the pecking order thanks to his showing against Fiorentina. Gasperini's reluctance to rotate comes as he seeks to reward the performances that stood out in that opening fixture. The bench has shifted Devyne Rensch out of contention as he continues to manage a muscle problem. The rest of the eleven appears settled: Wesley on the left, Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante in midfield, and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The manager is expected to discuss team selection and the transfer window's closing hours in a press conference scheduled for today. Mora has continued to convince Gasperini through his quality, personality and ability to move between the lines, while Lulli's full recovery from his debut and Molina's international match fitness both position them as realistic contenders. The sense is that Gasperini intends minimal change to the opening side, reserving deeper rotation for later in the season.

Roma travel to Lecce on 31 August with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini intent on maintaining tactical consistency after the Fiorentina match. The team will keep the same attacking structure, with Rodrigo Mora operating in the trequarti alongside the forward pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, who are expected to develop their understanding further. Wesley is certain to start on the left flank. On the opposite wing, Nahuel Molina is set to make his first start, having fully recovered and winning the contest with young squad member Emanuele Lulli. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable due to a muscle complaint, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is not expected to return until September. The midfield will be marshalled by Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante. The defensive line will see Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso deployed in front of goal, with Konstantinos Koulierakis ready to come on during the match. The change from the previous fixture appears limited to Molina's elevation to the starting eleven, underlining Gasperini's confidence in the team's recent form and tactical setup.

Bryan Cristante was the standout performer in midfield as Roma opened their season with a dominant 4–0 win over Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday, playing a decisive role in stabilising the team's shape while an attacking force of Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Rodrigo Mora created havoc in the final third. Gasperini deployed a 3–4–1–2 formation, and Cristante's 90 minutes of tactical control were awarded an 8.4 rating by Sofascore. He attempted 83 passes with 88 per cent accuracy, including a 91 per cent success rate in the opposing half, while collecting 8 ball recoveries—more than any other player on the pitch. Defensively, he won 6 of 7 aerial duels and 5 of 7 ground duels, made 4 tackles (2 won), 2 interceptions and 4 defensive clearances. Cristante's ability to drop between the centre-backs, clean up loose balls and restart play with composure allows Roma to push their attacking players forward into dangerous areas. He has been a fixture under every head coach since arriving at the club—Di Francesco, Ranieri, José Mourinho, Paulo Fonseca, Daniele De Rossi and Júrić among them—proving his value transcends tactical philosophy or midfield partners. The 29-year-old has now made 365 official appearances for Roma, entering the club's top 10 all-time list and surpassing Masetti. After the victory, Cristante told Sky Sport: "I am honoured, and I hope to make as many appearances as possible and to continue like this." Roma's next fixture is a trip to Lecce.

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 return to the Champions League after eight years with a curious contradiction: a squad seasoned in European competition but largely inexperienced in the continent's top tier. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the giallorossi have navigated knockout stages, difficult away trips and high-pressure evenings in recent seasons, yet a significant portion of the squad presents as Champions League debutants when their record in the competition itself is examined. The drawn opponents—Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, Sporting, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Atene—underscore the magnitude of the step up. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen stand as the principal points of reference, each with around 50 Champions League appearances. Behind them Nahuel Molina brings roughly 40 such matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, followed by Mario Hermoso, equally accustomed to the highest level of European football. The picture shifts sharply thereafter. Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini have played in the Champions League, though Roma's last participation dates back to the 2018–19 season. Other squad members have sampled the competition only briefly, while a substantial portion will encounter it for the first time. Key players such as Manu Koné, Wesley, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro have either never played it or collected minimal appearances. Yet Roma should not be labelled a European-inexperienced side. The club built a genuine identity in the cups: Cristante, Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and the core nucleus lived through the Conference League triumph in 2022, the Europa League final of 2023 and numerous knockout campaigns. Dybala, Evan N'Dicka, Koné, Pisilli and Matías Soulé have progressively accumulated international experience outside the Champions League but in matches where pressure, emotional control and reading momentum matter most. Here lies the true uncertainty: Roma possesses European aptitude but lacks a true Champions League identity. Errors recoverable in Europa League risk becoming instant goals against Real Madrid and PSG. The new League Phase format demands Gasperini navigate eight different fixtures without building a classic group-stage rhythm. The task ahead is not to teach Roma what a European night means, but to elevate what they have learned over five years.

Neil El Aynaoui's relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has deteriorated, and AS Roma are now open to selling the midfielder. El Aynaoui has struggled for playing time since returning from international duty with Morocco, finding himself behind Manu Koné, Bryan Cristante, and Niccolò Pisilli in Gasperini's midfield pecking order. The 25-year-old's reaction to his bench role has not gone down well, and the club has granted him permission to leave for an offer of €30 million. Crystal Palace have registered interest and could make a concrete move in the coming days. Should El Aynaoui depart, Roma are considering a surprise midfield swoop. Richard Rios, a Colombian midfielder at Benfica, has emerged as a potential target. Rios was among Gasperini's preferred options before the club, via sporting director Massara, pivoted to sign El Aynaoui. Benfica's recent acquisition of Palhinha has pushed Rios further down their hierarchy, and the player is eager for greater consideration—something Roma could offer. Like El Aynaoui at Roma, Rios would be available from Benfica for €30 million, provided an acceptable offer arrives. Roma have also monitored Frank Kessié, but the Ivorian is expected to accept a Juventus offer today barring any surprise developments. Roma have not seriously pursued Kessié, who has been inactive for over a month following his release from his previous club.