Dovbyk deal with Genoa hits obstacles as Roma demands rise

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has explained the challenges Roma faced in the summer transfer window, citing constraints imposed by the wage bill ceiling. Gasperini said: "We started with very high-profile targets, but we came up against the need for a wage cap ceiling. But we have good variety." The coach acknowledged that Roma's initial ambitions for the market had to be adjusted, though he expressed satisfaction with the squad's composition despite the financial restrictions. The wage structure imposed limits on Roma's ability to pursue their original transfer targets this summer. Gasperini stressed the importance of adapting strategy while maintaining squad depth across multiple positions, suggesting that the final roster, though different from the pre-window plan, offered sufficient options for the 2026–27 campaign.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has acknowledged Roma's current squad limitations ahead of the Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Speaking two days before the match and with ten days remaining in the summer transfer window, Gasperini said: "Numerically we are short, but we have two slots we can fill." The statement reflects Roma's ongoing recruitment push as the deadline approaches. The club faces Financial Fair Play constraints that have limited its transfer activity, forcing adjustments to targets. Despite these restrictions, Gasperini expressed satisfaction with the squad's progress and the adjustments made to the transfer strategy as the window enters its final phase.

Roma remain hampered by financial fair play rules as the summer transfer window enters its final stretch, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirming the club is still short of two key positions. Gasperini said: "Numerically we are short, because we have the possibility of presenting 23 players in the squad list. At least as UEFA allows, especially for the Champions League. We still have two slots available and there are still ten days left, we hope to complete everything. Whoever arrives is strongly wanted and wants strongly to come and play at Roma. Two players can be added. But only if we can reach them with the conditions we can have. If the market offers this it will be so, otherwise we stay as we are." The missing positions are a left-back—where Oosterwolde appears close to completion—and a left winger, with Chelsea blocking a move for Gittens. On the squad's overall competitiveness, Gasperini said: "In the team, in the starting eleven, there has been good consolidation. In the squad, however, we are trying to make it more competitive, with players who can give and will give added value. I believe the squad is more competitive." The coach also reassured supporters about potential departures, saying: "For Koné, beyond the rumours, in fact there have never been any negotiations or requests that were so important. If there are any other exits it is only for changes, to switch. At the moment there is nothing certain."

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Roma's transfer strategy and squad preparation two days before the Fiorentina fixture, emphasising that while the squad is more competitive, UEFA financial controls have forced creative market decisions. Gasperini confirmed the club can still add two players numerically to the 23-strong squad sheet, but only if conditions can be met within budget limits. "The profile is only that of the UEFA regulations, there are no other possibilities," Gasperini said. "There are situations that UEFA imposes and from which even our ownership, much as they would like, cannot escape. If we had done Summerville we could not have done anything else. There are technical parameters that cannot be explained—you must have trust in the society that they are complex enough and force a club under UEFA control like Roma, unique in Italy right now, to comply." Gasperini revealed that reaching the Champions League last season had not resolved Roma's financial strictures as initially expected. "I thought that after six months or with arrival in the Champions the situation would be resolved, it is not so and this forces this type of market," he said. Roma remains the only Italian club subject to UEFA Financial Fair Play monitoring following accumulated deficits from previous years and has already received two deferrals; no further extension is available. Despite these constraints, Gasperini backed the recruitment approach, particularly the arrivals of Rodrigo Mora from Porto—described as "a very important investment, especially in perspective"—and the swap dealing that saw Zeki Çelik depart for Molina, and Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk exit for Castro. He also praised the contract reductions undertaken by Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, as well as renewals by Bryan Cristante and others. On the left-wing position, Gasperini stated he will only pursue a signing if it adds genuine value: "Numerically the discussion is what I said before—two players can be added. But only if they can be reached under the conditions we can have. If the market offers this it will be so, otherwise we stay as we are." Regarding Dybala, Gasperini expressed confidence the 32-year-old will achieve more appearances this season. "I am sure of this because I see him not only determined as he was last year but also particularly strong. He had a preparation that perhaps for a long time he could not complete, without injuries. Last year in my view he was very unlucky. I remember two injuries, kicking the penalty in Milan and the free kick against Turin. Two borderline cases—in one it cost him a meniscus and he was out three and a half months. Muscularly he seems much more toned. Perhaps he no longer has the speed and power of shot from when he was young, but he has improved other qualities. At 32 years old today you are in the prime of technical and physical maturity. I think he will have a great season." Gasperini will take stock of any remaining recruitment possibilities before facing Fiorentina, a heavily renovated side. He acknowledged uncertainty in his starting formation for the opening match, citing the integration of recently arrived players Mora and Molina alongside squad members returning from World Cup duty with different fitness levels. On the season's ambitions, Gasperini declined to discuss the Scudetto prospect, saying: "We must look at our own path, we are trying to do the best possible for our possibilities. I am convinced we will do well. To speak of a final result I do not know, it will also depend on the opponents."

Gian Piero Gasperini held a press conference at Trigoria on 22 August, two days before Roma's Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, addressing the club's summer recruitment and the direction of the campaign ahead. Gasperini confirmed that Roma have completed several signings this summer while managing strict financial constraints. Alexis Molina has arrived as a replacement for Zeki Çelik; Mateo Castro came in following the departures of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson; Koulierakis joined as a defensive reinforcement; and Rodrigo Mora has been signed as an investment for the future. El Shaarawy, Bryan Zaragoza, Angeliño and Kostas Tsimikas have all departed. Gasperini noted that new arrivals targeted young players willing to reduce their wages to join Roma. He highlighted the salary reductions accepted by Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante as evidence of the players' commitment. The club remains constrained by UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations—Roma are the only Italian club currently under UEFA monitoring—which has forced a shift from the original transfer strategy. Gasperini acknowledged that early plans to sign players like Summerville proved unsustainable within those parameters. On Mora, Gasperini said: "Rodrigo is a very young player but has already reached important levels. It is a very significant investment by the club, especially for the future. He is a player with all the characteristics to emerge and perform well." Regarding the left flank, where Roma pursued a specific profile, Gasperini stated: "Only if he can be added value, otherwise I won't load myself with players just for the sake of it. Whoever arrives is strongly wanted and wants to play for Roma." He confirmed that two squad slots remain available for up to four players, leaving the door open for further arrivals before the window closes in ten days. On Paulo Dybala's injury record, Gasperini expressed optimism: "I'm certain of it, because I see him not only determined as he was last year but also particularly strong. He completed a preparation without injuries—something he hadn't managed for some time. Physically he looks much more toned." Last season Dybala suffered two significant injuries, including a meniscus problem that sidelined him for three and a half months. Gasperini will assess the squad's competitiveness against Fiorentina's challenge on the pitch. He stated that last season's 73 points and third-place finish will not carry over into 2026-27: "You restart from zero every year. The 73 points from last year must be replayed." With ten days of the transfer window remaining, Roma will look to complete their squad while operating under continued FFP restrictions.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on Thursday, two days before Roma's Serie A season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday. The head coach confirmed the squad remains numerically incomplete, with two places still available in the 23-player match-day roster. Roma have signed four players in the window: Molina, a World Cup winner who featured in the World Cup final less than two months ago and has replaced Çelik; Castro, who Gasperini described as arriving by train in his eagerness to join; Koulierakis, filling a defensive gap behind Hermoso; and Mora. Dovbyk and Ferguson have departed, balanced by Castro's arrival. El Shaarawy, Venturino and Zaragoza have also left, while Angeliño and Tsimikas have gone. Gasperini said: "The squad is incomplete numerically because we have the chance to present 23 players in the lineup. At least what UEFA allows us, especially for the Champions League. We still have two free slots available. Four players have arrived, including Molina who is an important player and played in the World Cup final less than two months ago and is World Champion. He is already a mature and solid player, who came to replace Çelik. Dovbyk and Ferguson left and Castro arrived, a player of value. Then Koulierakis arrived, a player we were missing in defence behind Hermoso, and Mora. Recently, compared to May, El Shaarawy, Venturino and Zaragoza left... one arrived and I hope another arrives. Then Angeliño and Tsimikas left, I hope to replace them. We will reduce the squad, trying to make it more competitive. I am very satisfied with the players who have arrived. Players arrived who strongly wanted to come to Roma, Castro left by train to get here sooner. And so did all the others. Wages have been reduced, out of necessity, and in this respect very positive work was done. There are still ten days, we hope to complete everything." Gasperini explained the constraints imposed by UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules, noting that Roma is currently the only Italian club operating under UEFA supervision. He acknowledged that the club's earlier expectation of resolving financial issues upon reaching the Champions League proved incorrect. "I thought that after six months or with arrival in the Champions League the situation was resolved, it is not so," he said. The squad reduction aims to increase competitiveness while managing wage bills. Gasperini praised the attitude of established players, saying: "I am very satisfied also with the attitude that Dybala and Pellegrini had in reducing their contracts. The same Cristante and those who renewed." On young forward Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini stated: "Mora is very young, but has already reached important values. Two years ago at Porto he scored 10 goals. It is an important investment by the society, especially in perspective. He has all the characteristics to emerge and do well." Regarding Paulo Dybala's fitness, Gasperini said: "I am sure yes, because I see him not only determined as he was last year but also particularly strong. He did a preparation that perhaps for a long time he could not complete, without injuries. Clearly you always cross your fingers. Last year in my opinion he was very unlucky. I remember two injuries, kicking the penalty in Milan and the free kick against Turin. Two limiting cases, in one it cost him a meniscus and he was out three and a half months. Muscularly he seems much more toned." On the left wing position, Gasperini said: "Only if it can be added value, otherwise I do not burden myself with players just to have them. Whoever arrives is strongly wanted and wants strongly to play in Roma. Numerically the discourse is the one made before, two players can be added. But only if you can reach them with the conditions you can have. If the market offers this it will be so, otherwise we stay as we are." Ten days remain in the transfer window, with Gasperini hoping to complete the squad overhaul. He stressed that any further departures would be swaps rather than outright sales, with no imminent exits confirmed.