Ferguson Departs Roma After Loan Spell

Roma have signed Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born prospect, from Porto in a deal structured at €25 million up front plus 50% of any future sell-on fee, with an option for Roma to secure full ownership by paying an additional €25 million to the Portuguese club. The initial €25 million outlay ranks Mora as the eighth-most expensive Under-19 signing in Serie A history. Should Roma exercise the buyout clause and pay the extra €25 million, Mora would jump to third place on that all-time list, behind only Nico Paz (€66 million) and De Ligt (€85.5 million). The 19-year-old wears the number 86 shirt and represents a significant investment in Roma's youth strategy. The deal's structure—allowing Roma to defer the completion fee while retaining a financial stake in any onward transfer—reflects modern football's creative approach to high-risk signings of teenage talent. Mora's potential move into the top three most expensive U19 signings would underline Roma's ambition in the market.

Manchester City have added Roma midfielder Manu Koné to their list of midfield targets, according to reports confirmed on 20 August by journalist Ben Jacobs. City, following Rodri's departure, are seeking two midfielders and have already advanced contact with Bouaddi and prepared a fresh offer for Chelsea's Enzo Fernández. Koné is among the profiles under consideration, with updates expected in the coming days. Koné's future remains uncertain despite recent reassurances over his Roma future. The French midfielder had been flagged as a likely departure this summer, but only Atlético Madrid's offer—deemed unsatisfactory—materialised on Roma's desk early in the transfer window. Manchester United had also shown interest previously. Roma are keen to avoid losing one of their key midfield players and will likely resist any bid. No official approach from City has been confirmed beyond the scouting interest. Developments are expected soon as City accelerate their search to fill the void left in their engine room.

Roma have less than two weeks left in the transfer window and must balance incoming reinforcements with outgoings. While it remains difficult to move Koné on, both Soulé and Ziółkowski are on the market. Ziółkowski arrived in the capital a year ago but has not convinced head coach Gasperini and may now generate useful revenue for the club's balance sheet. Roma's sporting director awaits offers, but the club is already preparing a defensive contingency plan. Koulierakis has arrived and will serve as Mario Hermoso's backup in theory, but should Ziółkowski leave, the club intends to plug the gap by signing an experienced centre-back on loan rather than permanently. In recent days, Oosterwolde of Fenerbahce was offered to Roma. The approach reflects the club's preference to maintain financial flexibility while addressing defensive depth before the window closes.

Genoa and Brighton have reached an agreement to loan Evan Ferguson to the Serie A club, with Brighton covering 30 per cent of his wages. The move requires only final approval from the Irish striker, who is expected to be available from early October following left ankle surgery he underwent in March. Ferguson, a former Roma player, joins Daniele De Rossi's Genoa squad as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season. The 21-year-old arrived at Roma on loan from Brighton last summer with a €40 million purchase option, but that deal did not result in a permanent transfer. His return to Serie A on loan represents a fresh opportunity after his recovery from surgery.

Evan Ferguson is on the verge of joining Genoa on loan from Brighton as manager Daniele De Rossi seeks to bolster his attacking options. The Irish forward endured a difficult spell at Roma last season, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists in Serie A. Genoa have been in negotiations with Brighton for several days to complete the loan move, with the transfer reportedly close to completion. Ferguson's departure from Roma comes after an underwhelming campaign that saw the 2004-born attacker make limited impact. The move would give him a fresh opportunity to prove himself in Serie A. Earlier in his time at Roma, Ferguson had impressed in early matches of the previous season against Bologna and Pisa, earning praise even from Gasperini during that period. His move to Genoa would follow the arrival of Baldanzi to De Rossi's squad.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.