Diao and Nkunku emerge as Roma pursue Mora breakthrough

Diego Moreira has emerged as a target for RB Leipzig after Roma's pursuit of the Strasbourg left-back stalled over the French club's valuation demands. The Belgian winger was Roma's primary focus for reinforcements on the left flank for several weeks during the transfer window, but remained at Strasbourg due to the club's substantial asking price. Leipzig have now identified him as the successor to Yan Diomande and have already reached an agreement with the player over a contract until 2031. However, the German club faces the same obstacle: Strasbourg are demanding approximately €60–70 million to sell. Roma's inability to bridge the gap with Strasbourg highlighted the challenge of meeting the French side's valuation. The protracted negotiations underlined how ambitious Roma's search for wing reinforcement had been, only to be derailed by financial demands deemed excessive. The situation reflects broader market dynamics, with Strasbourg maintaining a firm stance on their player's price tag. Leipzig's entry into the race signals serious intent, with personal terms already settled between the player and the German side. The €60–70 million figure remains the key sticking point for any potential move.

Roma is continuing to pursue options in the attacking wide market, with Assane Diao, a 2005-born talent owned by Como, resurfacing as a potential target. The club is evaluating Diao alongside the primary pursuit of Rodrigo Mora from Porto, assessing his technical qualities and long-term prospects. Roma is also considering Diao's fitness status following a hamstring injury during the previous season. Como, however, views Diao as a central figure in Cesc Fabregas's project and values the player between €25 and €30 million. That price tag makes any deal challenging for Roma. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the sporting directorate are focusing their immediate efforts on landing Rodrigo Mora, with Diao remaining on the table as a secondary option. Only after resolving the Portuguese talent's future will Roma decide whether to pursue other options to complete the attacking department.

Roma's pursuit of Rodrigo Mora has hit an impasse after Porto demanded additional guarantees over a roughly €42 million obligation to buy clause. The giallorossi had been close to closing the deal before the Portuguese club's demands complicated matters. Should the move collapse, director D'Amico is prepared to pivot decisively toward Malick Fofana, a Belgian winger born in 2005. Fofana is not an unfamiliar target but a profile that appeals to the club and particularly to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who remains in search of a new winger. Lyon are demanding no less than €40 million for Fofana, a sum Roma are ready to invest in a young, talented attacking player for that position. Fofana faces interest from several European clubs, yet concerns over his ankle injury—which kept him sidelined for half of last season at Lyon—have been largely dismissed following a 85-minute appearance against Sparta Prague last week. The Belgian wants to play Champions League football, and Roma could represent a significant opportunity for him as well.