El Aynaoui Joins Leipzig on Loan: Roma Secure €3m Fee Plus €28m Purchase Option

Matías Soulé remains available for departure from Roma. According to Matteo Moretto, the Argentine winger has been proposed to Atlético Madrid, but the Spanish club are pursuing a striker and have opened talks for David from Juventus instead. The move has not gained traction on that front. Soulé's exit would unlock Roma's pursuit of two attacking reinforcements: Luiz Henrique and Leweling. Interest from the Premier League has emerged, with Sunderland, Newcastle and Fulham all requesting information about the player. However, no formal offer has yet arrived at Roma's Trigoria training ground. The coming hours are expected to be decisive for the former Frosinone player's future. Roma are certain to sign one attacking player; if Soulé departs, two would arrive instead.

Marten De Roon has joined AS Roma and is determined to move past a 2023 incident when he posted a photo with a middle-finger gesture and text mocking the club after Atalanta's victory over the giallorossi. The post drew controversy and a €2,500 fine. In his first interview at Trigoria, De Roon said he had not authorised publication of that post. "I always play around on social media, but on that occasion I overstepped the mark," he explained. "I didn't authorise that post against the giallorossi — it sounds like a lie but it's true. I'm very sorry." He pledged to prove himself on the pitch rather than through words: "Social media is one thing, I want to demonstrate on the field that I am someone who goes beyond that. I will give everything for the shirt and want to repay the trust with facts." De Roon spent nine years at Atalanta under Gasperini, serving as captain, and the coach has now brought him to Roma. The midfielder is excited by his new surroundings. "I'm super happy, it's something very beautiful," he said of Trigoria. "Roma is a great club, the training ground is top level and I'm eager to begin." He is already familiar with the Olimpico but always faced it as an opponent. He relishes the prospect of Champions League football this season: "Last season Roma was in great form, the Olimpico is special, always full and impressive. The fans are very warm and this year we'll play against very strong teams in the Champions League, the atmosphere will be amazing. We must enjoy these evenings and try to achieve great results." De Roon believes he can contribute immediately. He knows Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini from Serie A, and two fellow Dutch players are already at the club: Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. "I want to help because I know Gasperini's system very well. There are two Dutch lads: Malen and Rensch. I want to play my part and I've joined a very strong squad," he said. He acknowledged he must now earn the affection of Roma supporters who saw him as an enemy until recently: "Super happy to be here, I can't wait to play in front of you at the Olimpico. I hope to be welcomed in the right way. Daje Roma."

Marten De Roon presented himself officially to Roma on 31 August 2026, expressing delight at joining the club. "I'm super happy, it's really something very beautiful. The transfer to a great society, I saw the sports centre and it's high level and I have so much desire to start," De Roon said at his unveiling. De Roon spent nine years under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at his previous club, where he regularly started and served as captain. He credited Gasperini with developing both him and the squad to a high standard. "When we spoke a few days ago he made a big effort and gave me this opportunity to come here, and for that I thank him so much. I also thank the club and the society that wanted me: it's not at all obvious, I'm really super happy," De Roon said. He acknowledged Roma's current strength, noting that "the squad is there, it's very strong. There are guys like Bryan Cristante, who I know, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini, who have played here for many years. I want to give a hand, I know Gasperini's game very well." On a previous social media post that appeared to target Roma, De Roon clarified his approach: "I'm someone who always jokes on social media, I always try to push the limit. On that occasion I think I overstepped the limit. There's an explanation though: with two friends I manage my social media. It was the only time – it seems like a lie but it's true – where I didn't authorise the post, because I had many interviews after the match. I'm sorry because I overstepped the limit." He expressed eagerness to play at the Olimpico, describing the stadium as "something very special" and noting that Roma's return to Champions League football creates "a crazy environment." De Roon sent a message to Roma supporters: "I'm super happy to be here. I can't wait to play at the Olimpico in front of you, because I realise it's a very special environment. I hope you welcome me in the right way. Forza Roma!"

Rome's radio pundits weighed in on Roma's immediate prospects and transfer strategy ahead of the Lecce fixture. Lorenzo Pes of Teleradiostereo assessed the club's summer window and recent signings, highlighting the distinction between addressing the manager's specific requirements and broader squad building. "The Roma made a fairly precise choice a few months ago: it chose the line of the manager and all subsequent decisions are dictated by this, including those in the market," Pes said. "If I look at what the manager needs, the De Roon operation makes sense, because El Aynaoui hasn't convinced Gasperini. I want to see how De Roon's integration into Roma's dressing room goes. I think Balerdi is the best operation of this transfer market. I believe Gasperini will confirm the same eleven from Fiorentina." Simone Valdarchi of Radio Manà Manà (90.9) flagged Lecce's tactical threat despite Roma's technical advantage. "It's a match full of pitfalls, despite Roma's clear technical superiority," he said. "Di Francesco is a good coach, and there's a possibility Lecce will line up with three at the back. Given the calendar, it's essential to take the three points now." Nando Orsi of Radio Radio Mattino (104.5) backed Roma to win, citing the form of Malen and Dybala and the quality gap between the sides. "De Roon can give you a lot in midfield," Orsi added.

Marten De Roon arrived at Roma on 30 August as a surprise move to replace Neil El Aynaoui. The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder has signed a one-year contract worth €2 million net. Roma will pay a maximum of €600,000 in bonuses to secure the deal, with the club finding support from the Atalanta ownership to release De Roon on favourable terms.

Marten de Roon has joined Roma from Atalanta on a free transfer and is available for Gasperini's squad for today's away fixture at Lecce. The Dutch midfielder has signed a one-year contract until 2027 worth 2 million euros net, with performance bonuses including a scudetto bonus totalling up to 600,000 euros. He takes the number 15 shirt and brings midfield experience to the club. De Roon's arrival follows the departure of Neil El Aynaoui, who has joined RB Leipzig on a costly loan deal worth 3 million euros with a purchase option set at 28 million. The move resolves a squad imbalance at the heart of Gasperini's midfield in the final days of the transfer window.