El Aynaoui and El Shaarawy compete for starting role as Dybala returns from bench

Roma have completed the signing of Molina from Atlético Madrid. The Argentine defender has already given his first interview as a Roma player as the club continues its summer transfer activity. Roma's transfer window has entered a critical phase as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini prepares his squad for the 2026–27 season, with a return to the Champions League the stated objective. The Friedkin Group are working to assemble a competitive roster to support the Italian coach's ambitions for the campaign ahead. Molina's arrival adds depth to Roma's defensive options as the club balances its squad requirements heading into the new season.

Roma and Porto are locked in a standoff over the transfer of midfielder Mora. The clubs have agreed on the deal structure but remain at odds over the terms. Roma has proposed an initial loan of €7–8 million with a right of purchase set at €42–43 million, which would become an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. Roma wants to include a clause based on 60 per cent of appearances and qualification to the next Champions League, while Porto is seeking stronger guarantees and more favourable conditions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is waiting for the 2007-born trequartista, whom the club hopes to mould in the image of Paulo Dybala. Mora endured an inconsistent season at Porto, with transfer rumours linking him to Saudi Arabia and the tactical system under his previous coach not fully utilising his strengths. Under that manager, Mora was often pushed back into midfield to start play, a role that significantly limited his effectiveness in the attacking third.

Nahuel Molina has joined Roma and presented himself to the club's official channels, expressing his excitement at the move. "From the first moment they made me feel at home and I am very happy," Molina said. "I think it is a very great club, with really passionate fans. The squad is strong and in recent years has done great things." He will wear number 20, explaining: "It is a new beginning. I liked the number 20 and it was free." On his versatility, Molina added: "I feel comfortable playing further forward or starting from a more withdrawn position. It will depend on the manager." Meanwhile, Roma's pursuit of Porto winger Rodrigo Mora has hit complications. Roma believed it had closed the deal after its latest official offer, with agreement reached on most aspects, but Porto president André Villas-Boas has requested modifications to the terms after reviewing details brought by Jorge Mendes, particularly regarding the final figure of the mandatory buyout clause. Clubs remain in contact to overcome the remaining obstacle. Roma's move for Inter's Luis Henrique has stalled entirely. While Inter are willing to let him leave, the Brazilian has not given his approval. Economic distance and doubts about the Roma project weigh on his decision, and without him reducing his demands, the operation remains frozen.

AS Roma has confirmed a partnership agreement with Orodei, who will serve as a Gold Partner and Back Training Kit Partner. The deal was formalised at a meeting between Roma's Chief Revenue Officer Michael Gandler and Orodei President Antonio Maesano, with both parties emphasising shared strategic values and an ambitious vision for the future. The partnership was celebrated with a symbolic photo featuring Wesley, the Brazilian midfielder, wearing the official training kit personalised with the Orodei logo on the back. The collaboration reflects the club's continued expansion of commercial partnerships as it approaches the 2026–27 season. Following the signing, Orodei's delegation visited AS Roma's Historical Archive, exploring the club's memory, documents, and objects tied to the club's tradition and identity.

Roma have formally confirmed a partnership with Orodei following a signing ceremony held at Trigoria. The company becomes a Gold Partner and Back Training Kit Partner of the club. Michael Gandler, Roma's Chief Revenue Officer, and Antonio Maesano, President of Orodei, signed the agreement, which stems from shared strategic values and a desire to develop a joint project with a forward-looking vision. Wesley was chosen as the face of the partnership and posed for the traditional ceremonial photograph wearing Roma's training kit with the Orodei logo applied to the back. The collaboration marks a deepening of Orodei's connection with the capital club. The day concluded with Orodei's delegation visiting Roma's Historical Archive, where they were able to explore significant moments in the club's history through documents, memorabilia, and objects that tell the story of Roma's tradition and giallorossi identity.

AS Roma has announced Orodei as a new Gold Partner and Back Training Kit Partner following a signing ceremony held at Trigoria. The collaboration was formalised by Roma's Chief Revenue Officer Michael Gandler and Orodei President Antonio Maesano, marking a partnership founded on shared strategic values and a shared vision for the future. Brazilian midfielder Wesley attended the ceremony and posed for a symbolic photograph wearing the official training kit personalised with the Orodei logo on the back. The partnership underlines Roma's continued expansion of commercial relationships. The ceremony included a visit by the Orodei delegation to Roma's Historical Archive, where they explored the club's documents, memorabilia, and heritage that define Roma's identity and tradition.

Roma and Porto are locked in a standoff over the transfer of midfielder Mora. The clubs have agreed on the deal structure but remain at odds over the terms. Roma has proposed an initial loan of €7–8 million with a right of purchase set at €42–43 million, which would become an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. Roma wants to include a clause based on 60 per cent of appearances and qualification to the next Champions League, while Porto is seeking stronger guarantees and more favourable conditions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is waiting for the 2007-born trequartista, whom the club hopes to mould in the image of Paulo Dybala. Mora endured an inconsistent season at Porto, with transfer rumours linking him to Saudi Arabia and the tactical system under his previous coach not fully utilising his strengths. Under that manager, Mora was often pushed back into midfield to start play, a role that significantly limited his effectiveness in the attacking third.

Paulo Dybala marked the fifteenth anniversary of his professional debut with a social media post celebrating his first match for Instituto de Córdoba. The Roma forward shared a video that showed him wearing the number nine shirt and giving an interview after the game as a teenager. He described the occasion as "an unforgettable day". Dybala scored seventeen goals in thirty-eight matches for the Argentine club before his move to Italy in 2012, when he joined Palermo. He has since become a mainstay of the Serie A, including his spell at Roma, where his contract runs until 2027. The post underlines his connection to Italian football across his career at both Juventus and Roma.

Nahuel Molina has completed his transfer to Roma and was formally presented to the club on 12 August 2026. The World Cup-winning full-back spoke to the media following his arrival, explaining his decision to join. "I chose Roma because I think it's a great team, with very warm supporters. It's a strong squad that is performing well," Molina said. "The reception has been beautiful, and I want to repay all of this. I will always give my maximum, which is what I have always done in my career. To leave everything on the pitch for the team and do my best." Molina will wear number 20 at the Giallorossi, a fresh choice for his career. The Argentine defender said he felt welcomed immediately upon arrival, having spoken with teammates including Paulo Dybala and another player. He confirmed his flexibility in defensive shape, having played in both a back three and higher up the pitch: "I have played in both positions, I feel comfortable both higher or lower. It also changes during the match, depending on the manager's choice and also on the opponents." Molina expressed enthusiasm about playing in Serie A again and competing in the Champions League with Roma. On settling in the city with his family, he reflected: "I have spoken a lot with my wife, we really liked the city. For my little girl there is no better place to grow up." He also praised the supporter culture, saying he expected the Stadio Olimpico to be special, and thanked the fans for their reception.

Rodrigo Mora appears tailor-made for Gasperini's tactics on the basis of his technical qualities and playing style. The 19-year-old Portuguese prospect is a low centre-of-gravity player with explosive one-on-one ability and creativity between the lines, capable of creating numerical advantage and opening dangerous passing lanes in the final third. Last season, despite an overall period that fell short of expectations, Mora produced impressive statistical output. According to WhoScored, among players with over 1,000 minutes, he ranked joint-first in successful dribbles per 90 minutes (1.7, level with William Gomes), first in key passes per 90 (2.7), and fourth in shots attempted per match (2.8). His long-range shooting ability is another strength, a quality Roma have struggled to find in their squad in recent years. This will be Mora's first experience outside Portugal, and a physiological adjustment period is expected before seeing the full extent of his capabilities. Asking for an immediate impact from one of Europe's most interesting young talents in his first time away from home and under one of football's most tactically and athletically demanding coaches risks diminishing the value of an important investment.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is building a Roma side defined by youth, technical fluency, and aggressive attacking play, with quality and skill prioritized over physical presence. The structure centres on Rodrigo Mora, a slight-framed playmaker and dribbler who will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for a starting role, while Donyell Malen leads the forward line alongside technically gifted players including Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé. Offensive thrust will also flow from attacking full-backs such as Wesley, supported by various transfer targets including potential arrivals at centre-back and in midfield. With the team so heavily weighted towards attack, the stability of Roma's shape depends almost entirely on Manu Koné, who will screen the defence and reclaim possession alongside Bryan Cristante. The French midfielder's long-term future remains uncertain, however, and any departure would leave a void difficult to fill in the short term. Gasperini's vision prioritizes technical excellence across the attacking third, with contributions from wider areas through offensively minded defenders and young, technical players who can operate in varied roles across the pitch.

Roma are close to securing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born winger who stands under 1.70m tall and favours dribbling over physical play, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shapes a younger, lighter and more attacking squad than last season. Mora will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for the number 10 role. The club are still hunting one or two additional wingers or attacking midfielders and one or two fullbacks to complete the XI. Gasperini's vision prioritises technical ability over physical presence, targeting players built for a high-octane attacking system. Mora's profile — incisive on the ball but less accustomed to the physical demands of Italian football and prone to struggle when forced to chase opponents — fits the template. Donyell Malen is expected to carry the goal-scoring load among the wider players initially, with alternatives in Castro and Robinio Vaz, who offers greater physical stature. Matías Soulé, should he remain, offers a middle ground. Fullbacks too are selected for their attacking prowess: Wesley on one flank, with options including Molina, Cacciamani, Luis Henrique or Udogie on the other. Manu Koné emerges as the vital equilibrium force in midfield, tasked with providing defensive cover and structure to an otherwise offence-heavy setup. However, he remains a persistent departure risk, a potential weakness in an otherwise cohesive recruitment strategy.