El Aynaoui departure complicated: Roma will not sell on loan terms

Franck Kessié has turned down a transfer to Juventus, his representatives told the Turin club in the final hours of negotiations. Sky Sport and Gianluca Di Marzio reported that no agreement could be reached between the parties. The Ivorian midfielder's refusal represents a significant setback for Juventus, who had continued working on the deal until the last moment. Roma's interest in Kessié has been discussed persistently in recent days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini knows the midfielder well from their time together at Atalanta, and the club had expressed interest in bringing him to the Stadio Olimpico. However, the collapse of the Juventus deal does not automatically clear a path for Roma. The fundamental obstacle—Kessié's substantial wage demands, which complicated negotiations with Juventus—remains unresolved. Roma must determine whether they are willing and able to meet his financial requirements. Kessié has received economically significant offers from Saudi Arabia, but the Juventus rejection leaves his future entirely open. The Milan midfielder's next destination is now uncertain, with the viability of a move to Roma dependent on whether the club can satisfy his salary expectations.

Roma will not strengthen their wing-back options before the transfer window closes, barring late surprises. With Devyne Rensch sidelined by a left flexor injury, Gian Piero Gasperini will rely on four defenders to cover the flanks until January: Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina on the right, and Wesley on the left. Molina featured prominently in Roma's opening match against Fiorentina last Monday, while Lulli has also impressed in recent action. The Oosterwolde deal collapsed following additional medical checks, and with Balerdi's arrival imminent to complete the centre-back contingent, Roma have decided against further recruitment in the defensive ranks. The club's focus has instead shifted to signing an attacking left winger rather than a fourth midfield full-back, a decision made in light of the positive performances from Lulli. Any further wing signings remain possible in the final days of the market, but none is planned at present.

Leonardo Balerdi is set to become Roma's fifth summer signing, joining from Olympique Marseille on loan with a right of purchase that can become an obligation based on certain appearance thresholds. The Argentine defender, who holds Italian citizenship and was born in 1999, is expected to arrive imminently and will sign a contract through 2031. The deal is valued between €15 and €20 million in total and was completed in just over 48 hours through quiet negotiations by the Roma hierarchy. Bareldi's path to Roma stretches back years. In 2025, then-sporting director Ghisolfi pursued him, while last summer Gasperini specifically requested the signing. However, Marseille's valuation proved prohibitively high at that time; only now, with the French club needing to offload players, has the operation become feasible. Sporting director D'Amico had identified Balerdi while working with Gasperini at Atalanta in summer 2024, following a Europa League semi-final meeting between the clubs. That interest stalled over valuation concerns. D'Amico had also negotiated with Marseille over defender Aguerd in recent days, but the Moroccan declined a loan move, bringing Balerdi back into focus. At 27, Balerdi will join Roma's growing contingent of Argentine players at Trigoria: Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina.

Franck Kessié remains unsigned in the final days of the transfer window after failing to reach an agreement with Juventus despite being in pole position for his signature. The Ivorian midfielder, free after departing Al Ahli, has circulated in Roma's orbit for several days. Gasperini, who worked with Kessié at Atalanta, would be pleased to reunite with him, and Roma could make a move should they offload Moroccan Neil El Aynaoui. El Aynaoui is on the market but has attracted only loan interest so far, with Crystal Palace and German clubs having made approaches. Roma could pursue Kessié as a free agent in the closing stages of the window, but the operation would prove complex. The obstacles are substantial: agent commissions, a signing bonus, and wages all present barriers to a deal—the same complications that have also blocked Juventus from completing a move.

Roma are expected to complete the signing of defender Balerdi from Marseille today, 29 August, with the Argentine-Italian set to arrive for medical examination and contract signing after the deal is finalised. The focus has now shifted entirely to recruiting a left-winger, with Gittens and Fofana the main targets, though obstacles remain in both negotiations. Bareldi will arrive on a loan with an obligation reported between 1 and 2 million euros, with a conditional right of redemption set around 15–20 million euros depending on the source. If exercised, he will sign a contract through 2031. Before Roma can proceed further in the transfer window, which closes at 20:00 on 1 September, they must sell Neil El Aynaoui on a permanent deal; so far only loan offers have arrived from Crystal Palace and German clubs. The stumbling blocks are his salary, signing bonus, and agent commissions. Franck Kessié, currently a free agent without an agreement from Juventus, remains a backup option at centre-midfield. Gittens is Roma's preferred target but Chelsea have not yet opened to a loan; Roma have proposed a redemption clause tied to appearances. Fofana, the Belgian winger, is waiting for Roma's call, but Lyon's asking price remains high owing to their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Lyon want a permanent sale for Fofana, whereas Roma have offered a redemption right based on appearances for Gittens. The summer transfer window closes on 1 September at 20:00.

Franck Kessié's future remains unsettled after the free-agent midfielder reportedly told Juventus that the conditions for a deal do not exist, according to Sky Sport. The Ivorian, a former Milan and Atalanta player, has not yet reached full agreement with the Serie A club. Roma have monitored Kessié's availability but face an obstacle: the club must sell Neil El Aynaoui before pursuing the midfielder. El Aynaoui is on the market, though only loan interest has materialised so far from Crystal Palace and unnamed German clubs. Should Roma complete a permanent departure of the Moroccan midfielder, a move for Kessié could follow. However, the transfer would prove complex. Wages, signing bonuses and agent fees present substantial hurdles—the same obstacles Juventus has evidently encountered. According to Corriere della Sera, the Kessié deal itself would be prohibitively expensive to execute.