El Aynaoui aims to become Roma's midfield leader after World Cup breakthrough

Roma have altered their transfer strategy following the Rodrigo Mora operation, pivoting their attention towards a left-back after initially pursuing other targets. The club are pressing Luis Henrique, the Brazilian left-back, though an agreement has not yet been reached. Hector Fort of Barcelona is also under consideration, but the defender has prioritised a move to Borussia Dortmund. The pursuit of Yacine Fofana has grown more distant; Roma deem Lyon's asking price of €35 million plus bonuses excessive, despite having reached an agreement with the 2005-born winger. Cacciamani is similarly off the radar. In outgoings, Jan Ziółkowski is poised to leave the club, potentially to Saudi Arabia. Should the defender depart, Roma would seek a centre-back on loan, with Fenerbahçe's Oosterwolde re-emerging as a target. Meanwhile, Manchester City's reported interest in Manu Koné has been confirmed; the midfielder is among the names in contention for their midfield.

Roma have paused negotiations with Lyon over midfielder Fofana following the arrival of Rodrigo Mora, according to Fabrizio Romano. The gap between the clubs remains small, but Roma are prioritizing the signing of a left winger before reviving that deal. Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss Roma's opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico. The number 7 is recovering from a right rectus femoris injury and requires further time before returning to Gasperini's squad. He will also sit out the subsequent match at Lecce on Monday 31 August, with a return to group training planned for early September. Pellegrini is targeting involvement in the match against Atalanta on Saturday 5 September at the Olimpico. Positive news emerged from training today as Niccolò Pisilli worked fully with the squad following a minor issue. Wesley trained partially with the group and is targeting full fitness to start against Fiorentina. Head coach Gasperini will hold his first pre-match press conference of the season on Saturday at 13:30.

Paulo Dybala has shared photographs from Roma's final home match of last season on social media as the club prepares for the opening fixture against Fiorentina. The Argentine forward posted images from a May encounter and wrote: "The last match at home, with great desire to start the same way." Roma won that fixture 2–0, and Dybala's post reflects the squad's anticipation ahead of their return to the Olimpico for the new campaign. With the 2025–26 season now closed, Roma are looking to build momentum under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The opening match against Fiorentina marks the beginning of the 2026–27 season, and the players have been expressing their excitement through social media as they prepare for competitive action. Dybala's message underlines the squad's determination to replicate the strong finish of the previous campaign and carry that confidence into the new term.

Roma radio commentators dissected the Giallorossi's opening performance on 15 August, offering mixed assessments of the squad's readiness and frustration over the transfer window's output. Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that Roma played well for 15 minutes but were exposed on set pieces, noting that "Dybala is in good form, but won't be able to play this type of match all the time. Soulé hasn't managed to show his qualities yet, and struggles alongside Dybala. El Aynaoui operates at too measured a pace—we'd need a player with different running ability, and I'd think about it from a market perspective. For now Malen is a distant relation of the player we know, but he and Castro are strong. I'm worried Molina gave his best at Atlético Madrid." Mattioli struck a harsher tone, saying "Roma hasn't displeased me, but some players need to improve physically. Roma 'talks, talks', but then at the final moment does nothing. If we look at the desired targets and who has arrived, the balance is zero. The investments have been made, but the names being discussed for two months haven't arrived. Roma must play in the Champions League." Orsi raised tactical concerns about left-sided incompatibility between Soulé and Dybala, and questioned why Roma, pursuing an attacking wide player since 1 July, had not yet secured one. He also flagged concerns over a potential late-window departure of a key player.

Roma radio commentators offered mixed assessments of the Ferragosto fixture, with former striker Roberto Pruzzo highlighting both positives and concerns over the club's attacking setup. Pruzzo noted that Roma played well for 15 minutes against an opponent still warming up, but conceded the opening goal through poor pressing discipline. He praised Paulo Dybala's fitness but questioned whether the Argentine can sustain that level every match. On Matías Soulé, Pruzzo observed: "Soulé is not yet able to express his qualities; with Dybala he struggles." He also assessed Neil El Aynaoui's tempo, saying the winger "goes at too measured a rhythm" and suggested Roma should consider a different profile in that position during the transfer window. Radio panellists raised frustration over Roma's transfer activity. Nando Orsi emphasised that since 1 July, Roma has searched for an attacking fullback without success, and pointed out that the pairing of Soulé and Dybala—both left-footers who want to play on the right—creates tactical incompatibility: "It is difficult for them to play well together." Mario Mattioli expressed concern that despite significant investment, none of the players Roma targeted two months ago have arrived, warning that "the Roma must play Champions League." Pruzzo added that Donyell Malen remains a pale shadow of his former self, though he and Castro possess quality, and warned that Molina may have already given his best at Atlético Madrid.

Roma drew 2–2 with Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park in their final pre-season fixture before the Serie A campaign begins. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring in the 4th minute, then set up Bryan Cristante for a second-half header five minutes later, but goals from Ryerson and Guirassy at the 12th and 28th minutes brought Dortmund level. Gasperini fielded a strong starting XI featuring the familiar defensive trio of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso, with Mile Svilar in goal. Bryan Cristante and Neil El Aynaoui controlled midfield, while Matías Soulé and Dybala supported Donyell Malen up front. Lorenzo Pellegrini, Niccolò Pisilli and Wesley were absent, the latter sidelined by a mild ankle sprain. The match showcased Roma's physical improvement over the summer, though defensive vulnerabilities remain. Dybala played with notable sharpness, while Gasperini offered frequent tactical instruction to Soulé, urging him to widen play. Roma's pre-season campaign closes in Germany, with the squad returning to Trigoria on Wednesday morning to resume preparations for the opening league fixture against Fiorentina. The match against Fabio Grosso's side arrives in seven days at the Stadio Olimpico, marking Roma's first competitive test and their return to Champions League football under Gasperini, now in his second season in charge.

Roma have paused negotiations with Lyon over midfielder Fofana following the arrival of Rodrigo Mora, according to Fabrizio Romano. The gap between the clubs remains small, but Roma are prioritizing the signing of a left winger before reviving that deal. Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss Roma's opening Serie A fixture against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico. The number 7 is recovering from a right rectus femoris injury and requires further time before returning to Gasperini's squad. He will also sit out the subsequent match at Lecce on Monday 31 August, with a return to group training planned for early September. Pellegrini is targeting involvement in the match against Atalanta on Saturday 5 September at the Olimpico. Positive news emerged from training today as Niccolò Pisilli worked fully with the squad following a minor issue. Wesley trained partially with the group and is targeting full fitness to start against Fiorentina. Head coach Gasperini will hold his first pre-match press conference of the season on Saturday at 13:30.

Roma will begin their 2026-27 season on Monday evening at the Olimpico against Fiorentina. In Friday's training session at Trigoria, centre-back Niccolò Pisilli and forward Wesley both returned to full availability. Pisilli trained regularly with the squad after a recent knock, while Wesley, who had been working partially with the group, is targeting full fitness to start against Fiorentina. The club continues preparations as it pursues final transfer targets to complete the roster. Gasperini will hold his first pre-match press conference of the new season on Saturday at 13:30, where he is expected to discuss team selection and tactical plans ahead of the Fiorentina fixture.

Roma continued preparations at Trigoria on 20 August ahead of their Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday 24 August at 20:45. Niccolò Pisilli trained fully with the squad after overcoming a calf injury suffered in late July. Wesley worked partially with the group but is targeting a starting role on Monday evening. Rodrigo Mora, in his second training session since joining, also aims to convince head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to deploy him immediately in the new 2026-27 season. Gasperini will provide a full update on squad availability at a press conference on Saturday at 13:30, where the extent of preparations for Roma's opening fixture will become clearer.