Endrick dream stays alive as Gasperini waits for Real Madrid talent

Inter scouts attended Cagliari's match against Atalanta to monitor midfielder Alessandro Romano and striker Paul Mendy, two emerging Serie A talents. Romano has been one of the season's early revelations and is expected to earn his maiden Italy call-up during the international break. Mendy, younger and still developing, has scored all three of his Serie A goals against Atalanta. Romano arrived at Cagliari on loan from Roma with a €4.9M conditional obligation to buy after impressing at Spezia last season. Roma allowed him to leave permanently. He represented Switzerland at youth level before switching allegiance under Roberto Mancini's persuasion. Mendy is a Cagliari academy product who progressed from their Primavera side to the first team late last season and has recorded four goals in 15 appearances. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Inter view both as prospects for the future, though the midfielder is the more established prospect while the striker remains a work in progress. Inter would negotiate solely with Cagliari for either player. Scouts are conducting standard due diligence; both have performed well so far. The development represents a significant miss for Roma, given Romano's trajectory. Inter's midfield is already well-stocked, but their offensive strategy will centre on Marcus Thuram, with potential interest in strong prospects should they part with a star player and promote Francesco Pio Esposito.

Alessio Cacciamani will face Roma and Gian Piero Gasperini on tomorrow evening when Torino visit, just days after signing a contract renewal with the Serie A club. The 19-year-old, who attracted Roma's interest during the summer, has committed to Torino until 30 June 2031 with an improved salary package. Gasperini had identified Cacciamani as a left-sided talent to develop and integrate into the first team, envisioning a role in both Serie A and European competition, potentially alternating with Wesley or Molina. The renewal strengthens Torino's negotiating position economically, though Roma retain the financial means to pursue another attempt for the young forward—possibly in January or more likely in the summer of 2027. Other Italian clubs and English sides are also monitoring his progress. Cacciamani's early season form has been encouraging. He has started all five of Torino's fixtures across Serie A and Coppa Italia, recording one assist in the league. The prospect of facing the club that pursued him intensely offers him motivation to demonstrate his readiness for the highest level. Roma continue to observe from the sidelines, aware that Torino may be forced to sell next summer if a significant offer arrives, particularly if the club decides to redirect spending toward an attacking player in the January window. The article notes that Gasperini and Roma's scout D'Amico are watching his development closely. Torino hope Cacciamani will immediately prove capable of performing at an elite level, thereby justifying their confidence in him and potentially deterring some interest. However, the competitive landscape around him is expanding. Beyond Roma's continued interest, other major Italian clubs and several Premier League sides are tracking the teenager. The club faces a delicate balance: rewarding his potential with renewed terms while managing the likelihood that a well-resourced suitor may tempt him away within two transfer windows.

Marten de Roon faced a hostile reception from Atalanta's ultras during yesterday's match against Cagliari, who displayed a banner criticizing his move to Roma in the final days of the transfer window. The ultras were unhappy with both his departure and his celebration at the end of Saturday's match at the Olimpico. Gasperini moved to defend his midfielder, saying: "De Roon was for many years a player who brought honour to Atalanta and the city of Bergamo. He did something extraordinary, and now it's a privilege to have him here. As soon as he finds his best condition he will be an important player. Leaving Atalanta was not his choice, he did not fit into their plans. What was he supposed to become? An old shoe locked away in a cupboard?" De Roon remains one of Gasperini's trusted lieutenants at Roma. He will miss tomorrow's match against Torino while continuing to build fitness, but Gasperini expects him to become a key midfielder once his condition improves.