Dybala gives Roma priority and waits for Friedkin ownership decision on contract renewal

Roma are nearing the completion of a transfer for Rodrigo Mora, a Portuguese player, according to radio discussion on Roman sports broadcasts. Piero Torri, speaking on Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9), noted that Mora had a strong first year at his previous club but spent the last season on the bench. Torri expressed reservations: "We are not far from closing the deal for Rodrigo Mora. The boy comes from a singular growth path where in the first year he did very well while in the last season he was on the bench and I have doubts about the fee invested for the Portuguese player's transfer." Roberto Pruzzo, on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), warned against repeating mistakes in squad recruitment, citing concerns over expensive signings who do not immediately integrate into the team. He stressed that Roma need quality in attack and must improve as a squad. Pruzzo said: "The important thing is that he has the possibility not to wait too long, because otherwise it becomes chaos that comes down on you. I don't know Mora, but that it doesn't happen like with Vaz: you end up with a significant expense and a player who is part of the squad only partially. Roma made its choice, the priority is to have some quality up front. Roma is behind as a team, then inserting a couple of players I don't think is complicated. There is a need for the team to make a leap in quality." Nando Orsi added that any player costing significant fees must make an immediate impact under Gasperini's direction, and questioned whether Mora would provide the quality Roma require at the highest level.

Roma continue to pursue an attacking winger for Gian Piero Gasperini, with Rodrigo Mora the primary target. Should that deal collapse, the club will turn their attention to Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners have signalled their willingness to sell the Brazilian, and Roma are in discussions with Martinelli's representatives to lower his salary from 11 million euros gross. Arsenal are asking for 50 million euros—a high figure given that Martinelli's contract expires in one year. The move represents a potential fallback option in Roma's summer recruitment strategy. Any agreement would require bridging a significant gap between the player's current wage demands and what the Giallorossi are prepared to offer, while also matching Arsenal's substantial valuation. The outcome will depend on the progress of the Mora negotiations and whether Roma can structure terms acceptable to all parties.

Roma had targeted Endrick, the Brazilian forward at Real Madrid, as a potential signing this summer, with the club prepared to negotiate a loan deal with a purchase option. However, Real Madrid has decided to retain the 18-year-old attacker despite the overtures, ending recent talks with the Serie A side. According to The Athletic, Endrick's future could shift depending on his playing time; if the Brazilian fails to secure regular minutes, Real Madrid may reconsider a loan arrangement. The Spanish club deployed the same solution during the previous season, sending Endrick to Lyon in January on a temporary deal. Roma has been caught off guard by Real Madrid's decision to close the door, though a fresh attempt in the January transfer window is not ruled out. Significantly, Endrick has yet to fully commit to staying. The talent could request a move if he feels relegated to a secondary role within Carlo Ancelotti's squad. Real Madrid announced on August 10 that Endrick would remain at the club for the upcoming campaign, with interest also coming from Aston Villa.

Roma continues to struggle in finding an attacking left winger, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to evaluate a significant tactical overhaul for the 2026–27 season. High costs and a lack of suitable profiles have left the position unfilled despite sustained efforts, pushing the club to consider a strategic change in formation. The proposal would move away from two attacking midfielders supporting a single striker toward a system with one attacking midfielder behind two forwards. This tactical shift would align with Roma's recent recruitment priorities, including reported interest in players such as Rodrigo Mora and Endrick. With attacking options like Donyell Malen, a forward identified as Castro, and Robinio Vaz already in the squad, alongside creative midfielders of the calibre of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, Roma would have the versatility to reshape its attacking setup to suit the strengths of its available players and adapt the system to their characteristics.

AS Roma has constructed this fantasy XI to celebrate the club's 99-year history of attracting world-class talent. The feature categorises legendary signings by era, beginning with postwar arrivals: Alcide Ghiggia, who joined in 1953 after scoring in Brazil's 1950 World Cup final loss, and Juan Schiaffino, the other Maracanazo hero, who helped Roma lift their first European Cup in 1961 alongside fellow Uruguayan Manfredini. The 1980s elevated Roma's prestige dramatically, starting with Falcao and Vierchowod during the second Serie A title, followed by Cerezo, Boniek, Voeller, and Aldair, who pioneered Roma's succession of elite defenders including Samuel and Chivu. Cafu, who won the World Cup twice as a Roma player and once as captain of Brazil, anchored the right flank; his era also featured Candela, Montella, and Gabriel Batistuta. Later recruits—Maicon, Pjanić, Salah, and Edin Dzeko, who reached the top three all-time goalscorer rankings—maintained the club's magnetism for established stars. Paulo Dybala, still actively representing the club, exemplifies the ongoing mutual affection between world-class talent and Roma's brand.

Rodrigo Mora has agreed to join Roma. Director of football Tony D'Amico has tabled a five-year contract worth two million euros per season, including bonuses, for the Porto playmaker. The agreement with agent Jorge Mendes was reached yesterday after rapid negotiations. Porto's formal approval is awaited in the coming hours. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed D'Amico to complete the deal quickly, expecting two new arrivals by 15 August. Gasperini received reassurances at an emergency meeting with ownership at Vale Resort in Hensol, Wales. Roma plan to close the signing of the new forward first, then turn attention to reinforcing other positions: a right winger to deputise for Paulo Dybala, and a left winger to rotate with Wesley.