Dybala emerges as Roma's key figure for Champions League return

Roma have intensified their interest in Lyon winger Malick Fofana, born 2005, after the Mora transfer failed to advance. The club's recruitment team has recently stepped up contact with Fofana's representatives and Lyon, who are willing to sell for less than €40 million. Roma are preparing an opening offer of around €30 million structured as a loan with an obligation to buy under specific conditions—the same format proposed to Porto for the Portuguese target. Lyon wish to retain Fofana for their Champions League playoff ties against Fenerbahçe on 18 and 26 August, which adds pressure to negotiations given time is running short. Gasperini has been waiting nearly a year for a left winger to strengthen his squad. While Christopher Nkunku is also of interest to Roma, that path presents considerable obstacles. The move for Fofana would address a clear gap on the left flank as the 2026–27 season prepares to kick off.

Roma's pursuit of Porto winger Rodrigo Mora has hit an impasse. Despite the player's strong desire to join the Giallorossi, the two clubs remain deadlocked over terms. Roma has maintained its initial offer: an €8 million loan fee with a €42 million purchase option that becomes mandatory only if the club qualifies for the Champions League and Mora features in at least 60 per cent of league matches. Porto, however, has shifted its position, seeking to simplify the buyout clause by linking it to Conference League qualification and has reopened negotiations with Galatasaray. Mora remains available for Porto's Serie A opener against Rio Ave but continues to push for a move to the capital. Director of Sport Tony D'Amico is actively exploring backup options to protect Roma's position. Olympique Lyonnais winger Malick Fofana tops the alternative list, with the French club having lowered its asking price—though RB Leipzig are also monitoring the situation. Roma are also tracking Brentford winger Kevin Schade as another option to reinforce the flank.

Roma continue to work on bringing Rodrigo Mora to the club but are preparing contingency options as negotiations progress. Fofana has emerged as an alternative target, with Roma planning to propose a loan with an obligation to buy under certain conditions, similar to their Mora offer. Head coach Gasperini continues to push for Mora's arrival and the player's family support a move to Roma, viewing the club as ideal for his development. Contacts have continued in recent days, though formulas, clauses and details still need to be finalised to determine if the deal is genuinely feasible. Progress on Luis Henrique has stalled. While Roma and Inter maintain good relations and a broad understanding, there is no economic agreement in place and the operation is not close to completion. Henrique's camp appreciates Roma's technical project but contractual terms remain a stumbling block, and Roma currently have other market priorities elsewhere. Gabriel Martinelli's wages make a Roma move impossible at present. Antonio Nusa, targeted by Roma, faces no pressure to leave Leipzig following Diomandé's departure, leaving the Norwegian forward's path to Roma frozen for now.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund in a prestige friendly at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, kick-off 17:30, in what Gasperini has confirmed will be the club's final warm-up before the Serie A campaign begins. Wesley, the Brazilian full-back, will not travel after sustaining a light ankle sprain on 14 August; he will remain in Rome for treatment with the intention of being available for the Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Lorenzo Pellegrini, fresh from a contract renewal, continues his pre-season conditioning programme and is absent from the squad, as is Niccolò Pisilli, who has not yet recovered from injury and is working individually. Nahuel Molina, who has been training at Trigoria for several days, is among the 23 players named by Gasperini and could make his Roma debut from the first minute, particularly given Wesley's absence. Manu Koné, the midfielder, has also been included after mixing individual and group work. Gasperini is expected to field a familiar XI in defence—Svilar in goal behind Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso—with Molina and Rensch on the flanks, Cristante and either El Aynaoui or Koné in midfield, and Dybala and Soulé supporting Malen up front. The Signal Iduna Park is sold out. The women's teams will also play beforehand at Stadio Rote Erde at 13:00. The men's match will be broadcast on DAZN.

Roma are monitoring Malick Fofana, the Lyon winger, with Galatasaray now showing interest and initial contact between clubs reported. The French club's asking price has fallen to potentially below €40 million in recent weeks, though Fofana's injury record last season remains a concern. Gasperini's side face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park in their final pre-season friendly. Wesley has been ruled out after suffering a slight ankle sprain while on international duty in Wales, and will miss the match as a precaution. The squad list for the fixture includes defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, Ndicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The news comes after Roma's defeat to Brighton in the previous friendly.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park in Germany for their final pre-season friendly. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for the clash following the defeat to Brighton. Midfielder Manu Koné returns to the group after his earlier absence. The match marks Roma's last outing before the Serie A campaign begins. Gasperini has included a mix of established players and younger squad members, with defenders Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini and Jan Ziółkowski, midfielder Bryan Cristante, and attackers Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen all in contention. The pre-season preparations will culminate with this fixture at the German club's Signal Iduna Park. Defenders: Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziółkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli, Ghilardi. Midfielders: Cristante, El Aynaoui, Koné. Forwards: Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz, Morucci.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.

Artem Dovbyk has explained his difficult final season at Roma after joining Bologna on loan with a right of purchase, in a swap deal that saw Santiago Castro move in the opposite direction. The Ukrainian striker told Il Messaggero that he lost confidence under the pressure at the Stadio Olimpico. "Last season was difficult, with injury, but that came later," Dovbyk said. "After pre-season Roma told me to look for minutes elsewhere, but there wasn't time. I was very close to Milan, but there were three days left in the transfer window and it didn't happen. I stayed and tried to convince the manager I deserved more space, but I started the season playing little and they made clear I would be the backup striker. I was preparing for a long season as the main man, and it was hard to accept that wouldn't happen. I played less and less and wasn't enjoying it anymore. Then I got injured." Dovbyk reflected on the unique pressures of playing for Roma compared to his previous spell in Spain. "There are fantastic players there in my position, like Dybala, Soulé, El Shaarawy," he explained. "But playing there is different—there's so much pressure, mistakes aren't an option. Sometimes I'd get just one chance in a match, and if I didn't score it was over. Many managers came and went, and the club changed a lot too, and from the pitch it was hard to understand all that. Several of us couldn't give our best. Even someone like Dybala struggled." At Bologna, Dovbyk feels valued again: "I'm physically fine now and starting a new challenge. At Bologna I felt welcomed by a strong group, a family. I hope soon I'll show my best version here—now I feel I can enjoy football again."

Artem Dovbyk has joined Bologna on loan with a right of purchase, ending his two-year spell at Roma. The Ukrainian striker spoke candidly about his experience at the Giallorossi, revealing that he was told to leave during the summer transfer window but a move to Milan fell through with three days remaining in the market. Dovbyk explained the difficulties of playing under sustained pressure at Roma. "The last season was hard, because of the injury, sure, but that came after," he said. "I was playing less and less and I wasn't enjoying myself any more. Giocando là è diverso, c'è tanta pressione, l'errore non è un'opzione." He highlighted that while talented attackers like Dybala, Soulé, and El Shaarawy played at the club, the environment left little room for error. "In a match I might get just one chance, and if I didn't score it was over," he added. Dovbyk said multiple coaching changes at Roma compounded his difficulty in understanding the club's direction. He is now looking to rebuild his career at Bologna, where he feels welcomed by the group. "Physically I'm fine now, a new challenge begins for my career. At Bologna I felt welcomed by a strong group, a family," he said. "When people believe in you, everything is different. Here I'm finding that emotion again, I feel important to Bologna." He also praised the city itself, calling it more compact and less chaotic than Rome.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.

Roma's pursuit of Porto winger Rodrigo Mora remains unresolved, with radio pundits divided on both the deal and the club's broader transfer direction ahead of the 2026–27 season. Ugo Trani (Teleradiostereo) remained optimistic that a resolution would come today, citing Porto's internal difficulties and the club's determination to close on its own terms. "The Roma stayed put because they want to close on their conditions, not those of the Portuguese," Trani said. "Today will be decisive. A player will settle it. Last year, no." However, other commentators questioned the logic of the pursuit. Furio Zara (Radio Radio Pomeriggio) argued that Mora's wide role was incompatible with Roma's stated needs, suggesting strategic confusion at the club. "Mora may be talented, but he plays in a completely different position," Zara said. "That means you don't have clear ideas." Franco Melli (Radio Radio Pomeriggio) expressed broader disappointment, comparing Roma unfavourably to Juventus in terms of reinforcements relative to early-summer ambitions. The squad additions from the previous season included Vaz, Zaragoza, and Venturino. Trani called for further signings—suggesting Fofana, Cacciamani, an external defender (either Udogie or Luis Henrique on loan), and another attacker—while doubting whether midfielder Matías Soulé would depart.

Roma's attacking department has been decimated ahead of the 2026–27 season, with coach Gian Piero Gasperini now overseeing just five senior forwards for the role — down from ten options at the end of January. The remaining quartet consists of Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Robinio Vaz, with young prospect Arena also available. The collapse mirrors Gasperini's repeated public calls for investment in attack. Speaking exactly a year ago on 4 August 2025 at the English national team's St. George Park facility in Burton Upon Trent, Gasperini outlined his philosophy: "It concerns all clubs that spend large sums on attackers. The offensive department is the most sought after and most expensive. Teams with strong attacking players are more competitive." That same summer, Roma pursued Fabio Silva and Jadon Sancho without success, settling on a loan move for Romain Bailey as a last-minute solution. By the end of 2025, Roma had assembled eight attacking options — Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Soulé, Baldanzi, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — to fill three positions in Gasperini's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. The winter transfer window swelled that number to ten through the departures of Bailey and Baldanzi and the arrivals of Malen, Vaz, Bryan Zaragoza, and Lorenzo Venturino. However, only Malen performed consistently. With just twenty days until the league campaign begins, Roma faces a critical shortage. The club is reportedly making another approach for Nusa and preparing a move for Fofana to bolster the depleted ranks.