Dybala renewal uncertain as Roma explore reduced salary arrangement

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing for reinforcements in the January transfer window, with a meeting between the club and the coach expected in the coming days to set the strategy. The November international break arrives at the right moment for Roma, who are enjoying an exciting start to the season, sitting third in Serie A and unbeaten in the league. Gasperini has now been in charge for 521 days, and the club and its management know that making the final leap in quality will require making the most of the January market. According to Il Tempo, Roma have not lost in Serie A for 18 matches, boast the league's best attack with 31 goals, and have the second-best defence. Gasperini sees the fruits of his work and the growth of a group that functions perfectly. He is aware, however, that there are still details to improve, such as finishing and handling decisive moments, if Roma are to close the gap on Lazio and Inter. That is why the winter window, which opens early on 28 December, is a key step. The top priority is clear: Roma need a fast winger capable of providing depth and unpredictability. Gasperini considers that profile fundamental, partly because players such as Dybala and Pellegrini do not offer constant physical guarantees. In other areas, Roma feel covered. The attack is working thanks to Soulé and Mora, and on the flanks the emergence of Lulli has reduced the urgency to act. Defence and midfield also offer good certainties.

Roma are reportedly preparing to strengthen their attack in January, with sporting director Tony D'Amico working on two signings to support Donyell Malen in the title race. Gian Piero Gasperini is not satisfied with second place, and after eleven league matchdays Roma have the numbers and performances to think bigger than a place in the Champions League. According to Francesco Balzani writing in Leggo, Roma have scored 31 goals, conceded only 10 and collected 27 points. What stands out is the variety of Roma's attacking options. The team no longer relies solely on Malen's goals: defenders Mario Hermoso and Leonardo Balerdi have scored, as have midfielders Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli, while Matías Soulé and the increasingly impressive Rodrigo Mora have contributed from the attacking midfield roles. This has come despite an emergency in recent weeks that deprived Gasperini of key players. Meanwhile, the progress of the young players is providing new resources. Lulli, Ghilardi and above all Mora are showing they can be much more than simple alternatives, a depth that was lacking until a few weeks ago. The bigger upgrade could come in the January transfer window. D'Amico has already confirmed his intention to give Gasperini the quick, space-attacking wide forward the team has lacked since last summer. The idea, according to Leggo, is to repeat the Malen model: a loan with an option to buy for a quality player who is finding little space at his current club. Endrick of Real Madrid and Jamie Gittens of Chelsea are under observation. The two profiles are very different but share a search for greater continuity. The operations remain complex and no agreements have been finalised. A midfield move is also not ruled out, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg of Marseille, already assessed in the summer, has been linked with Roma again. Roma go into the international break third on 27 points, two behind capolista Lazio and one behind Inter. When action resumes, the fixtures are against Parma and Monza, before a derby that could take on even greater significance. Gasperini continues to preach caution but does not hide his ambition.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side are refusing to settle for second place after another dominant performance, with the coach's words on Saturday night seen as the clearest signal yet. Roma have scored 31 goals and conceded 10, numbers that match the best in Europe, and the atmosphere around the club is united, with fans, the club, the coach and the squad all pulling in the same direction. Roma are no longer reliant on Malen, with goals coming from across the team: defenders such as Hermoso and Balerdi, midfielders such as Cristante and Pisilli, and now also attacking midfielders such as Mora and Soulé. Gasperini has managed the recent demanding run before the international break without Svilar, Dybala, Koné and Pellegrini, the team's most representative players. Francesco Balzani, writing in Leggo, expects the first three to be back at their best when Serie A resumes, a further positive sign alongside a fixture schedule that, before the derby, favours Roma against Parma and Monza. The emergence of young players such as Lulli, Ghilardi and Mora is also giving the squad more depth. Roma's position is strengthened by the fact that the club are looking for a wide attacking player, with sporting director D'Amico admitting it yesterday. The move is expected to follow the Malen pattern: a loan with an option to buy for a player who is getting little game time elsewhere and who could flourish under Gasperini at Roma. The chase is closing in on Endrick and Gittens, who are increasingly on the fringes at Real Madrid and Chelsea. A midfield arrival is also considered likely, with Hojbjerg, who is leaving Marseille, a name to watch.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing for reinforcements in the January transfer window, with a meeting between the club and the coach expected in the coming days to set the strategy. The November international break arrives at the right moment for Roma, who are enjoying an exciting start to the season, sitting third in Serie A and unbeaten in the league. Gasperini has now been in charge for 521 days, and the club and its management know that making the final leap in quality will require making the most of the January market. According to Il Tempo, Roma have not lost in Serie A for 18 matches, boast the league's best attack with 31 goals, and have the second-best defence. Gasperini sees the fruits of his work and the growth of a group that functions perfectly. He is aware, however, that there are still details to improve, such as finishing and handling decisive moments, if Roma are to close the gap on Lazio and Inter. That is why the winter window, which opens early on 28 December, is a key step. The top priority is clear: Roma need a fast winger capable of providing depth and unpredictability. Gasperini considers that profile fundamental, partly because players such as Dybala and Pellegrini do not offer constant physical guarantees. In other areas, Roma feel covered. The attack is working thanks to Soulé and Mora, and on the flanks the emergence of Lulli has reduced the urgency to act. Defence and midfield also offer good certainties.

Mile Svilar is edging closer to a return, with Roma's goalkeeper still at Trigoria on Sunday continuing his recovery from a fracture to his right foot that has kept him sidelined for the past month. Roma resume training on Wednesday. The Belgian had hoped to speed up his return, but after checks ten days ago, caution prevailed. Svilar is set to be ready to reclaim his place between the posts for the match at Parma, having been replaced by Gollini, who defended the goal well up to Manchester. A back problem also forced the Roman club's number ninety-five to miss the last two matches. The two-week international break, writes Gabriele Turchetti in Il Tempo, presents the perfect opportunity for Paulo Dybala to recover his best form. The Argentine's layoff caused by a calf tear sustained against Real Madrid has been longer than expected, but his condition is now improving and, barring setbacks, he will be available again for the Parma game. Together, the returns of Svilar and Dybala would give Roma a significant double boost ahead of the trip to Parma, with the break allowing both players the time needed to get back to full fitness.

Rodrigo Mora's time has arrived, with the Portuguese teenager scoring in a third consecutive Serie A match against Sassuolo, following earlier goals against Cagliari and Udinese. In the past few hours he has also earned his first call-up to the Portugal senior national team, in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era. The Corriere della Sera's Simone Valdarchi writes that there is no crown to inherit and no blasphemous comparison to make; this is simply the story of a teenager who has handled the normal difficulties of arriving in Italian football with brilliance, in an important city like Rome and in a season when Gasperini wants to aim for the top of the league. For weeks, things were not going so well for Mora, but he has kept working and waiting for his moment. In recent weeks, with Dybala out and set to return after the international break in Parma, Mora has found space in the trequartista role, adding flair to matches with his touches in the final 30 metres. Alongside his three consecutive Serie A goals, he produced the assist for Soulé's opening goal for Roma against Manchester United at Old Trafford last Tuesday. It was his second assist of the season, after the one against Real Madrid for Malen. Those were not ordinary fixtures. With the goal against Sassuolo, the Portuguese now has four goals, making him the club's second-highest scorer alongside Pisilli and Soulé, behind Malen, who is on 12. Valdarchi's point is that Mora is a teenager, born in 2007, who is adjusting to a new league and a demanding city. Mora's first senior call-up with Portugal marks a further step in a rapid rise, and the youngster now combines international recognition with a growing role in Gasperini's attacking options.