Dybala contract renewal talks accelerate as Boca press Roma to move fast

Giorgi Kvernadze of Frosinone is now at the top of Roma's shortlist to fill the left-sided attacking winger role that head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has long demanded, according to reports. The 23-year-old Georgian has impressed in the early stages of this season, registering 5 goals and 2 assists for Frosinone under Massimiliano Alvini. Kvernadze's profile — a naturally right-footed left winger capable of cutting inside, taking on defenders and exploiting space — aligns precisely with Gasperini and sporting director Tony D'Amico's requirements for the position. Roma have been searching for an attacking winger after failed pursuits of Crysencio Summerville and Jamie Leweling. Kvernadze has been monitored for months and has now overtaken Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in Gasperini and D'Amico's preferences, though the door remains open for the latter. The geographical proximity — fewer than 100 kilometres separate Rome from Frosinone — offers logistical ease, but the financial hurdle remains. Frosinone value their prospect highly and would require a bid of at least €25 million to begin negotiations. That economic gap will need to be bridged, but the standout fact is that Kvernadze is no longer simply one name among many on Roma's radar—he has become one of the profiles that most convinces Gasperini and D'Amico to complete the Giallorossi's attack.

Roma are preparing an offer to bring Giorgi Kvernadze from Frosinone, with the 23-year-old Georgian winger a long-standing target for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and director of sport Tony D'Amico. The left-footed player, who can operate on the right wing with technical ability and pace, has impressed this season with five goals and two assists. Kvernadze sits at the top of Roma's shortlist as Gasperini seeks a dominant winger to solve a need the club has pursued for months, following failed moves for Crysencio Summerville and Jamie Leweling. The Frosinone player represents a solution closer to home than usual — some 90 kilometres from Rome — and boasts the precise profile Gasperini requires: right-footed, capable of making runs into the box, and skilled in one-on-one situations. Having matured significantly during his time at Frosinone, Kvernadze has overtaken Jamie Bynoe-Gittens of Chelsea as Roma's priority in this position, though the door remains ajar for the Chelsea player in the coming months. Frosinone are unlikely to sell without a substantial fee; the Ciociaria club are expected to demand at least €25 million. D'Amico is understood to be a keen admirer of the Georgian talent, who has expanded Frosinone manager Massimiliano Alvini's squad's horizons with his performances this season.

Roma prepare for Sunday's 12:30 kickoff against Como at the Sinigaglia with fresh tactical notes from a recent friendly. In a training session against Sorianese, Gasperini tested Rodrigo Mora as a starter alongside Paulo Dybala, with Donyell Malen completing the attacking trio. Mora is therefore in contention for a first-minute place. Malen and Wesley completed full training and are confirmed fit to start, while Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro completed only recovery work and will not be deployed from the outset against Como. José Mourinho will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent in six days when his Real Madrid face Roma in the second round of the Champions League. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho reflected on his time in the giallorossi colours, calling the bond "unique and special". He recalled the fans' reception, the Conference League triumph and the Budapest final, while noting that the split with the ownership came after UEFA sanctions imposed in the aftermath of that match. On returning to the Olympic Stadium: "It will be different. I will have to prepare myself to enter that stadium without the passion of the Roma fans." Mourinho spoke of his relationship with former clubs and his affection for Francesco Totti. Santiago Castro spoke to TNT Sports of his emotions after his Argentina debut and witnessing Lionel Messi's final international match up close. The Roma forward explained that the group aimed to win "out of respect for the fans", stressing that with Messi "there are no friendlies". Castro said he had not fully processed the moment: "I looked at the photos all night." He emphasised the importance of daily work at Roma to ensure continued selection: "Getting to the national team is the maximum. I want always to be there, but I have to earn it." Roma had identified Endrick as an ideal attacking reinforcement, but Real Madrid appeared intent on retaining him. According to Fabrizio Romano, no final decision has been reached and the next two months will be decisive. Should the Brazilian's playing time remain low, Real could reopen the possibility of a loan in January, similar to what happened last year with a move to Lyon.

Donyell Malen has praised both Paulo Dybala and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. Asked about the online nickname combining his and Dybala's names—Dymalen or Dybalen—Malen said: "Dymalen... it makes you think of connection, yes, it's fun online... The feeling with Paulo was immediate." The forward has scored consistently since arriving at Roma, a departure from his time at previous clubs PSV, Borussia, and Aston Villa. "Never as much as this. And from the first matchdays," he said when asked about his goal tally. "I think everything has changed. I've played a lot and everywhere, but today I believe I'm in the right place with the right people. The coach and my teammates give me so much confidence—all of these things together lead me to be what I dreamed of being." Malen chose to leave Aston Villa in search of regular first-team football. "It was me who wanted to leave. I wanted to play, to be part of a squad where I could take the field every weekend and feel important. In that phase I didn't feel I was, so I think I made the best choice." He highlighted Gasperini's management style and honesty as crucial to his development. "The way he handles players—you know he will never lie to you about anything," Malen explained. The forward also recalled an extraordinary scene in the dressing room following Roma's match against Parma, when Gasperini's celebration got out of hand. "It happened after Parma. Amazing. He was far too happy—a table even flew," Malen said.

Donyell Malen has been awarded the Italian Professional Footballers' Association (AIC) Player of the Month award for September, adding to his Player of the Month honour for the August–September period in Serie A. The Dutch forward has maintained extraordinary form at the start of the 2026–27 season, continuing the trajectory that ended his previous campaign with seven goals in the final seven matches of 2025–26. He has now scored six goals in Roma's first five matches of the current season. Malen's September standout performance came in a hat-trick display against Fiorentina, which the article describes as a programmatic statement of intent. The opening goal came from a dribble into the box followed by a backheel pass, the second was a left-footed strike under the crossbar, and the third arrived as a tap-in from Paulo Dybala's outside assist. He added a brace in Roma's first-half demolition of Lecce and scored again against Torino while sliding to the ground. His form has generated the sensation that accompanies elite peaks—the impression that every touch might be decisive, and anticipation with every possession. The article emphasises that Malen's effectiveness cannot be reduced to any single measurable attribute. He is not the fastest player in Serie A, nor does he possess the best shot or greatest power in acceleration; rather, his intelligence places him consistently one step ahead of opposing defenders. His ability to find space and time within the visual blind spots of defenders is described as exceptional, the article arguing that few players in the league possess his capacity to be hidden in plain sight. His rivals for the September award included Lautaro Martínez, Davide Frattesi and Giorgi Kvernadze.

Roma prepare for Sunday's 12:30 kickoff against Como at the Sinigaglia with fresh tactical notes from a recent friendly. In a training session against Sorianese, Gasperini tested Rodrigo Mora as a starter alongside Paulo Dybala, with Donyell Malen completing the attacking trio. Mora is therefore in contention for a first-minute place. Malen and Wesley completed full training and are confirmed fit to start, while Leonardo Balerdi, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro completed only recovery work and will not be deployed from the outset against Como. José Mourinho will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent in six days when his Real Madrid face Roma in the second round of the Champions League. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho reflected on his time in the giallorossi colours, calling the bond "unique and special". He recalled the fans' reception, the Conference League triumph and the Budapest final, while noting that the split with the ownership came after UEFA sanctions imposed in the aftermath of that match. On returning to the Olympic Stadium: "It will be different. I will have to prepare myself to enter that stadium without the passion of the Roma fans." Mourinho spoke of his relationship with former clubs and his affection for Francesco Totti. Santiago Castro spoke to TNT Sports of his emotions after his Argentina debut and witnessing Lionel Messi's final international match up close. The Roma forward explained that the group aimed to win "out of respect for the fans", stressing that with Messi "there are no friendlies". Castro said he had not fully processed the moment: "I looked at the photos all night." He emphasised the importance of daily work at Roma to ensure continued selection: "Getting to the national team is the maximum. I want always to be there, but I have to earn it." Roma had identified Endrick as an ideal attacking reinforcement, but Real Madrid appeared intent on retaining him. According to Fabrizio Romano, no final decision has been reached and the next two months will be decisive. Should the Brazilian's playing time remain low, Real could reopen the possibility of a loan in January, similar to what happened last year with a move to Lyon.