Fofana agrees personal terms with Roma, Lyon must sell

Roma continue their transfer business following the arrival of Oosterwolde, with head coach Gasperini awaiting a new attacking winger before the market closes. The club will make another attempt to sign Chelsea's Gittens on a loan deal with a right of redemption, though the Blues have not yet accepted the proposal. With the final week of the transfer window approaching, Roma remain hopeful of a breakthrough. Parallel to the Gittens pursuit, Roma have held a long-standing agreement with Lyon's Fofana, but progress depends on circumstances beyond their control. Roma's sporting director D'Amico must wait for Lyon's Champions League preliminary round tie scheduled for tomorrow evening. Should Lyon be eliminated, the French side may lower their demands and allow the player to depart. Roma's next obstacle comes in that Champions fixture: a match against Fenerbahçe, managed by Greenwood. The first leg ended 1–1, with Greenwood scoring the English side's goal.

Paulo Fonseca, manager of Olympique Lyonnais, has publicly backed Malick Fofana to stay at the club despite Roma's interest in signing the Belgian winger to strengthen their attack. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Lyon's Champions League playoff return against Fenerbahçe, Fonseca addressed Fofana's fitness after recent injury problems and his prospects at the club. "Now he is well, physically and mentally," Fonseca said of the 2005-born winger. "I think he is a player who will continue with us. He is very motivated to continue with us." The Lyon boss made clear the club has already fielded offers for Fofana and rejected them. "We are not worried about selling Malick. We have offers. If other clubs want him, they will have to pay well. The club refused offers because it believes in this player," Fonseca stated, raising the financial bar around the winger precisely as Roma continues to evaluate his profile to complete their attacking options for the 2026–27 season.

Roma have made a strong start to the season, but the club needs one more decisive move in the transfer market to challenge Inter. The Friedkin Group is working on final signings to strengthen the squad before the window closes. Fofana remains a key target, with the decision resting with the Friedkin ownership. Lyon have frozen their market activity as negotiations continue. Oosterwolde has arrived in Rome and was greeted by supporters with hugs, smiles and autographs, with medical checks and contract signing to follow. Elsewhere, Paulo Dybala has impressed with three assists and creative play, though his form carries financial implications for the owners. Bahoya remains on the club's shortlist of potential signings as Roma look to add depth across the squad.