El Aynaoui and Koné in Premier League sights; Koné waits for Paris Saint-Germain

Roma began preparations for their Champions League campaign with a training session on Thursday ahead of their debut in Europe's elite competition against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday. Lorenzo Pellegrini trained with the group and is targeting a recall to the squad. The club's focus extends beyond the pitch: director D'Amico has identified a need for a left-sided forward, and Roma are considering Jadon Sancho, currently a free agent. New contact has been made with the English player, with the idea of a pay-per-appearance contract arrangement.

AS Roma are evaluating the possibility of signing free agent Raphaël Guerreiro to reinforce their left-back options, according to transfer expert Ekrem Konur. The Portuguese defender would represent an experienced quality option to complement the wide players at the disposal of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Guerreiro has endured a difficult period recently, during which he had even considered an early retirement during the summer. His name is now back in focus on the transfer market as Roma assess whether to bring him into the squad as a reinforcement for the left flank. At present this remains a prospect to monitor, with no indication of active negotiations having begun.

Chelsea have turned to free agents to replace Enzo Fernandez after months of pursuing Manu Koné, who has remained at Roma. Manager Xabi Alonso's side have targeted Georginio Wijnaldum, who chose to stay in Saudi Arabia, and are now tracking Renato Sanches, who is also being followed by other European clubs. Both players had unremarkable spells at Roma and Liverpool respectively. Roma rejected Chelsea's attempts to lure away Koné, a player the club considers fundamental. The midfielder has reinforced his standing as a top performer in Roma's opening three fixtures of the season, confirming his importance to Gasperini's plans.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference ahead of Roma's Serie A fixture against Atalanta on matchday three, addressing injury updates and his feelings about the club. Paulo Dybala's tests have shown nothing concerning, though he will train on the day of the press conference to build confidence before three matches this week. On free-agent recruitment, Gasperini expressed doubt: "I believe it is difficult, I do not know what the possibilities might be, but I would not count on it much." He closed the door firmly on reintegrating Salah-Eddine, stating the player "has had several opportunities that he has refused. As far as Roma goes, I have already made choices and he is not in Roma's plans." Evan N'Dicka's injury status has improved substantially, with Gasperini saying "N'Dicka much better, I believe he is in the match. Today we will try him out." Lorenzo Pellegrini is progressing gradually and may return "perhaps with Inter or after the break," indicating a timeline beyond the immediate fixtures. Donyell Malen continues to impress, though Gasperini suggested working on his repertoire. The coach praised Rodrigo Mora's development after two consecutive appearances: "He is young but has already shown his talent against Fiorentina and Lecce. He has ample room for growth in the physical aspect, resistance and fitness. We are dealing with a boy of absolute value." Gasperini defended his decision not to name hierarchies in midfield despite the departure of Neil El Aynaoui and the arrival of Marten de Roon. "Pisilli is very far advanced: he has taken on maturity, awareness, he has grown, he is strong," Gasperini said. "I have four players there, I do not make hierarchies. De Roon, Balerdi and the latest arrivals must reach their best condition; they will play spells and we will see them at full-time probably after the break. Pisilli, Koné and Cristante are solid. We play in 16 and there are many matches. Do not make distinctions between those who start at the beginning and those who come in because in the end you will see that the playing time will be similar for everyone." On squad depth and tactical flexibility, he confirmed Santiago Castro and Mora can operate as forwards and that multiple tactical interpretations are possible. When asked about his time at Roma changing him, Gasperini reflected: "Certainly this experience has enriched me. I arrived in a different environment after nine years of great satisfaction and great integration with the city and the environment. It was not an easy choice, but I am happy to have made it because the conditions no longer existed. Great gratitude and great respect though for Atalanta. To feel alive again, the Roma piazza has been the maximum: it motivates you, stimulates you and we needed to improve the squad, so there was the challenge of needing to improve on what had been done up to that point." On Matías Soulé, he confirmed the player's pubalgia is behind him and he has recovered to excellent condition.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on the eve of Roma's fixture against Atalanta, confirming that Paulo Dybala and Evan N'Dicka will be assessed in training to determine their readiness for the match. Gasperini said Dybala "has nothing particular wrong with him, but today he will try: it is important that he feels safe and confident. There will be three matches in one week and he must be sure he can play. These are very important matches, to be played at their best." On N'Dicka, he stated: "N'Dicka is better, tomorrow I think he will be in the squad: today we will try him and Dybala." Gasperini was asked whether Roma would turn to free agents given the absence of an incoming winger, but he dismissed the prospect. "It is difficult to draw on free agents, I don't know what opportunities there could be. I wouldn't count on it much," he said. He also confirmed that Salah-Eddine had received "three or four offers that he refused; technical choices were made and he is not part of Roma's plans." On Lorenzo Pellegrini's availability, Gasperini said the midfielder "has started to do something with the group, but I don't know if he will return with Inter or after the break" in terms of playing time. He praised the squad's maturity and described the upcoming spell—which includes matches against Atalanta, Inter, Como and Napoli, plus Champions League football from Thursday in Turkey—as "a test of strength, of value." Gasperini discussed the midfield rotation that has seen Neil El Aynaoui make way for Marten de Roon, emphasizing that Niccolò Pisilli, Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante form a solid core without hierarchy. "De Roon, like Balerdi and Molina, the very latest arrivals, needs to be in top condition. They will play spells and we will probably see them at full time after the break," he explained. He also addressed Rodrigo Mora's potential, saying the young midfielder has "shown his talent in the first two" matches and possesses "broad room for growth on the physical front, endurance and stamina. But he is of absolute value, it is hard to deny." Gasperini expressed his affection for the squad's environment and unity: "Here there is pleasure in coming. You feel good when you train. When you are in an environment without friction, without antipathies and with pleasure in being together, it is beautiful. It is beautiful to see the pleasure with which we train." On Matías Soulé, Gasperini confirmed the attacker is fully recovered from a pubalgia injury. "For Soulé, pubalgia is a distant memory. He is well, he has played excellent matches." He acknowledged Atalanta's quality under their new management and recent additions, noting that the club "has taken Kessié, Rowe, who fit into a high-level squad. It has a Champions-level squad, with important changes and very reliable players." Roma face Atalanta tomorrow before Champions League action in Turkey and a subsequent match against Torino on Monday.

Evan N'Dicka has overcome the inflammation that sidelined him against Lecce and returned to partial group training at Trigoria, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini monitoring his recovery ahead of the Roma-Atalanta fixture. The defender will continue his rehabilitation in the coming days, with the next sessions decisive in determining whether he can be included in the squad for the Olimpico clash. The Lega Serie A has confirmed fixtures from matchday 6 to 12, with Roma's standout fixture a visit to Napoli on Saturday 24 October at 18:00 at the Maradona, alongside a midweek tie against Cagliari. Though the summer transfer window has closed, Roma continue to monitor free agents, with sporting director Tony D'Amico targeting an offensive left-winger with different profile characteristics from those already in the squad. Wilfried Zaha, the Ivorian currently without a club, represents a potential zero-cost opportunity and has been reexamined by Roma after being linked to the club in 2023. Legend Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino: "I think Dybala is Roma's best signing; last year you never had him at this level. We'll see further down the line when the team starts playing three times a week what the real value of this market is. I also think the squad has improved, but in the first two line-ups of the year when the team played brilliantly there are the same players as last year. El Aynaoui I criticised from the day he arrived; I think in midfield there is a need for changes beyond de Roon to give Cristante and Koné a rest." Piero Torri observed that D'Amico appeared slightly worried at the start of his press conference before becoming more assured.