Dybala Dismisses Boca Return, Poised to Renew Roma Contract Ahead of Preseason

Roma have intensified efforts to sign Brazilian centre-back Morato from Nottingham on a loan basis. The two clubs are in active negotiations over a deal structured as a loan with a right of redemption that could become an obligation under certain conditions. Head coach Gasperini is keen on Morato, a 2001-born defender capable of playing across the back line and as a full-back, qualities the manager values for squad flexibility through the season. The move comes as Roma seek to strengthen their defence ahead of the new campaign. The talks have entered a concrete phase, with Roma pushing to close the deal swiftly and Nottingham showing willingness to listen to proposals. Separately, academy product Jan Ziółkowski is edging closer to departure on loan, with Monza under Juric waiting to secure his services.

Roma are stepping up negotiations to sign Morato, a 25-year-old Brazilian centre-back from Nottingham Forest, on a loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy. The move is directly tied to Jan Ziolkowski's expected departure: the young Polish defender is increasingly close to joining Monza on loan, and Roma want a replacement before sanctioning his exit. Gasperini has identified Morato as the right profile to fill the defensive void. The club's transfer chief, Tony D'Amico, has pushed decisively for the Brazilian, a left-footed player already accustomed to European football and the Premier League. Ziolkowski's potential exit would leave a gap in the backline that the coach wants to fill with another central defender to rotate into his plans. Roma are working on a dual-track strategy to reshape their defence without reducing the options available to Gasperini. According to Gianluca Di Marzio's reporting, Roma are negotiating with Nottingham Forest on the basis of a loan with a right of redemption that could become an obligation once certain conditions are met. Morato, whose full name is Felipe Rodrigues da Silva, was born in 2001 and stands approximately 1.92m tall. He is naturally a central defender but can also be deployed on the left side of the back line and, if needed, on the left flank. He spent a long period at Benfica before joining Nottingham Forest, where he currently plays in the Premier League. Once Morato's arrival is finalized, Roma will give the definitive green light to Ziolkowski's loan transfer to Monza. The two operations remain strictly linked as Roma looks to modify the composition of its defence while maintaining enough depth for Gasperini's rotations in the coming weeks.

Roma are negotiating with Nottingham Forest to bring in defender Felipe Rodrigues da Silva, known as Morato, on a loan deal with a right of purchase that could become an obligation under certain conditions. The 2001-born Brazilian centre-back has been identified as the ideal replacement for Jan Ziolkowski, clearing the way for the Polish defender's departure to Monza, where manager Ivan Juric is pushing hard to secure him on loan. Ziolkowski remains the hottest name in Roma's outgoing transfers, with interest from several Serie A clubs. The club's strategy is to lock down an incoming defensive reinforcement before approving Ziolkowski's exit. Once Morato arrives, Roma will give the green light for Ziolkowski to complete his move to Monza. The negotiations between Roma and Nottingham Forest centre on the structural terms of the deal—a loan with a purchase option that would convert to an obligation if specified conditions are met. By resolving the Morato signing, Roma will simultaneously resolve the Ziolkowski situation, allowing the defender to join Juric's project and freeing up squad space at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma are actively negotiating with Lyon to bring down their asking price for midfielder Aurélien Fofana, according to radio pundit Aspri speaking on Radio Radio on 26 August. Aspri stated that the next 24–48 hours would be crucial in persuading Lyon to lower their valuation. If the deal can be completed, Fofana would become Roma's primary attacking midfield target following the recent arrival of Rodrigo Mora. Aspri explained that Gasperini has clear preferences in midfield but faces a delicate balancing act. "Gasperini has the hierarchies very clear," Aspri said. "If someone like Kessié were to arrive, the midfield would become very substantial. There's Juventus and competition that, on paper, is impractical for Roma, but the news is true. Gasperini's doubts concern Kessié's physical condition — he has great affection for the player, but the operation is complicated and interesting because it would change the hierarchies." Aspri added: "The question is: what does Roma want to aim for? Someone like Kessié you must have." On the Fofana situation, he said: "Roma is trying to trim things to satisfy the board. They're working on Fofana, trying to lower the figure Lyon is asking for: if it can be done, then Fofana will be the 'Lookman' of this situation." Camelio, also speaking on Radio Radio, suggested that Kessié remains a possibility if Neil El Aynaoui departs the club. Camelio stated: "I don't see El Aynaoui concentrated: if he leaves, Kessié is a possibility." He went on to outline his preferred shape: "I would play with four at the back and three midfielders: Kessié, Cristante and Koné." Camelio also noted that Roma are seeking to alter the terms of the Fofana deal with Lyon, which as currently structured Roma had not approved. Other commentators debated the merits of the squad's composition, with Melli arguing Roma are already strong enough and questioning whether Kessié should be pursued at all given Juventus' rival interest. Vocalelli highlighted the broader congestion in Roma's attacking positions: "There's a bit of overbooking in the attacking midfielders: Mora, Dybala, Soulé, Pellegrini and the arrival of Fofana." He suggested that any move to bring in Fofana might be linked to Soulé's potential departure, which would create space in the squad. The discussion underscored that Roma's transfer strategy remains fluid, with decisions on multiple fronts — including the Fofana fee, El Aynaoui's future, and potential outgoings — still unresolved.

Paulo Dybala has chosen to remain at Roma and continue his experience at the club, rejecting opportunities to return to Argentina or seek a move to the Middle East. Now a mature player beyond the pursuit of World Cups or lucrative long-term contracts elsewhere, Dybala has full awareness of his role at Roma and appears content with it. His relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini mirrors that with his predecessors: the coach deploys him whenever he is fit, with strong understanding between them. Unlike some ageing players, Dybala does not require careful management to avoid fatigue-related injury; his physical problems arrive without warning and are not caused by wear and tear. When he is healthy, managers use him as much as possible. In Roma's recent fixture against Fiorentina, Dybala demonstrated mature football by placing himself entirely at the service of teammate Donyell Malen. Beyond an early attempt at goal, he operated to support the Dutch forward, seemingly keen to help him break Roberto Pruzzo's single-match goal record of five, set against Avellino in 1985–86. This reflected a version of Dybala liberated from routine responsibilities and focused solely on playing the matches that injury and misfortune have too often denied him. His choice of continuity at Roma, combined with his partnership with Gasperini and his willingness to elevate teammates, underlines the maturity of a phenomenal footballer entering a new chapter.

Andrea Stramaccioni, analysing Roma's 24 August fixture against Fiorentina for DAZN, praised the team's physical condition and intensity, highlighting their high press and defensive organisation. Speaking to Teleradiostereo, he drew particular attention to Paulo Dybala's form. "I played against Gasperini at Palermo when he had Dybala, and what I saw on Monday reminds me exactly of that Paulo in terms of athletic condition," Stramaccioni said. The former coach emphasised the importance of Roma's core group of Italian players and their leadership. "The block of Italians is important. From outside it's hard to understand how important it is to have a tested group that guides the dressing room and would throw themselves in the fire for the coach," he stated. He noted Bryan Cristante's defensive positioning and highlighted Manu Koné as operating "in world form," questioning why France manager Deschamps did not field him in the semi-final. Stramaccioni also praised Santiago Castro, noting Gasperini "almost had to hold Castro back" given the Argentine's eagerness, and spoke of a strong Argentine contingent within the squad driving exceptional desire. Stramaccioni identified a left winger as the missing piece for Roma to harbour serious title ambitions under Gasperini. "Gasperini played Champions League and knows you need two squads. He always says value comes from those in front, it's not rocket science. He won at Atalanta with three strikers; he wants two per role now. Right now one is missing—someone more capable of starting from the left. Today both Dybala and Soulé migrate out but prefer to start from the right. Mora I like very much, but another is needed on the centre-left." Regarding squad development, Stramaccioni noted Lulli's backstory: "His is a nice story. He comes from Palestrina, was enrolled at Roma's Acquacetosa football school and had to quit because of distance from home. Now he's returned and is reaping the rewards." Looking at the transfer window closing days, Stramaccioni said Inter are defined as complete, while Juventus still seek both a striker and midfielder. "Roma I don't think will take a starting player, but they need to complete the squad," he concluded.