Dybala hits pause on Roma contract renewal amid negotiation frustration

Roma director Tony D'Amico is pursuing two signings for the left flank to provide head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with options in each position. Following the recent Rodrigo Mora deal, the club is seeking a deputy for Wesley and a left winger. Luis Henrique of Inter remains a candidate for the backup role, while for the attacking flank Roma will explore a fresh approach to Malick Fofana of Olympique Lyonnais after 26 August, once the Belgian has played Lyon's Champions League qualifying return leg against Fenerbahce. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens of Chelsea is also under consideration as a last-minute loan option in the final days of the window before month's end. Roma's ability to complete both signings depends heavily on outgoing transfers. The club has largely exhausted its allocated budget for this window and will need to sell at least one squad player with market value to free up funds and create space. The next few days are therefore crucial in determining whether the final two additions can be secured before the transfer deadline.

Roma held a key operational meeting at Trigoria in recent days involving head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, sporting director Tony D'Amico, chief executive Galantic, and vice-president Ryan Friedkin via remote connection. The focus was Gasperini's request for two further signings to complete the squad before the season kicks off. Among the priorities identified is an attacking addition on the wings. Roma have opened contact with Chelsea's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, a 22-year-old English winger who made his name at Borussia Dortmund before moving to Stamford Bridge. The club is evaluating a loan deal on modest terms with a right of purchase, leveraging an established relationship with Chelsea. However, the pursuit of midfielder Youssouf Fofana—valued at approximately €35 million—remains frozen pending outgoings. Roma are targeting sales among their wing contingent, with Cacciamani and Luis Henrique positioned as potential exits to free funds for a final push in the coming days of the transfer window.

AS Roma have submitted a formal offer to Fenerbahce for Dutch winger Oosterwolde, according to Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu. The proposal is structured as a loan with an option to purchase, with the overall package including bonuses potentially reaching close to €20 million. The move reflects Roma's continued search for wide attacking reinforcement this summer after encountering difficulties in pursuing Luis Henrique, Udogie and Cacciamani. Sports director D'Amico has kept Oosterwolde high on his list of targets and has now moved from initial interest to concrete action. The winger's fitness remains a consideration for the Giallorossi, though Roma's internal assessment suggests his recovery is progressing positively and he should be available within three weeks. This development signals a serious push from the club to add depth to their attacking options before the transfer window closes.

Roma's opening fixture of the 2026–27 season against Fiorentina on 24 August at 20:45 will mark the competitive debuts of several new arrivals, including Mora, Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. The club has a recent tradition of fielding multiple debutants in the season's first match since the Friedkin Group took control. The pattern is well established. In 2021–22, José Mourinho's first season, Roma faced Fiorentina in Round 1 and started four debutants: Rui Patricio, Viña and Abraham from the kick-off, with Shomurodov introduced from the bench. The following year, Dybala, Matic and Wijnaldum debuted against Salernitana, while the 2023–24 campaign saw Aouar, Kristensen, Paredes and Renato Sanches make their first appearances in the same fixture. In 2024–25, under Daniele De Rossi, Artem Dovbyk, Matías Soulé and Enzo Le Fée began their Roma careers at Cagliari. Last season marked Gian Piero Gasperini's debut as head coach, when Evan Ferguson and Wesley also featured for the first time against Bologna. The club now awaits further additions from the current transfer window, with hopes that this summer's new signings will produce memorable debuts of their own in the coming days.

Gian Piero Gasperini has one main selection dilemma ahead of Roma's home match against Fiorentina on Monday evening: whether to deploy Rodrigo Mora or Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield role alongside Paulo Dybala behind Donyell Malen. Mora, Roma's latest arrival, has impressed the coach in early training sessions despite the Portuguese player having only recently begun the season in his home country. Gasperini has recovered Wesley fully after an ankle problem sustained before a test against Borussia Dortmund, with the Brazilian available for the left flank. Molina is set to make his debut on the right wing and will be eager for redemption following a seven-match suspension picked up with Argentina. Soulé continues to be linked with a move away from the club, leaving his position vulnerable. The true uncertainty, then, centres on whether Mora will start or whether Gasperini opts for the consistency of Soulé, who has featured regularly this pre-season.

Donyell Malen has emerged as a serious contender for the Serie A Golden Boot following an extraordinary six-month spell at Roma. The Dutch forward scored 14 goals in 18 matches last season, averaging 0.85 per game, and has set his sights on dethroning reigning capocannoniere Lautaro Martinez, who finished with 17 goals in 30 games. Malen's impact has fundamentally reshaped Roma's attacking balance since arriving, culminating in the club's Champions League qualification secured at the end of May in Verona, where his 14th goal of the campaign proved decisive. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing to give Malen the supply lines he needs for a title assault next season. Against Fiorentina, Roma will field their strongest attacking midfield setup, with options including Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Mora, or Matías Soulé, while awaiting Lorenzo Pellegrini's return. Gasperini is also considering deploying an unconventional 4-2-3-1 formation with three attacking midfielders—Dybala, Mora and Castro—operating behind the striker, giving Malen optimal service as he aims to become Serie A's leading scorer.