Fofana back in focus as Galatasaray enters race; Wesley sidelined for Dortmund friendly

Roma have turned their attention to Malick Fofana, a Lyon winger born in 2005, as a Plan B after negotiations over Rodrigo Mora stalled. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is convinced by the Belgian, who has long been on Roma's radar. However, Roma now face competition from Turkish side Galatasaray, who have entered the running after reportedly being rejected by Martinelli. Initial contact has begun with Fofana's representatives and Lyon, who are demanding at least €40 million to sanction his departure. Gasperini and Roma's sporting director D'Amico have identified the winger as a potential target, though the growing interest from other clubs could complicate negotiations. The arrival of Galatasaray in the hunt signals intensifying competition for Fofana's signature in what could develop into a multi-club transfer race.

Gabriel Martinelli has turned down a proposal from Galatasaray and has no intention of moving to Turkey at 25 years old. The Arsenal winger remains on Roma's radar as a potential attacking reinforcement, though the deal is complicated by his substantial salary. Galatasaray had offered €45 million to the Gunners, but Martinelli is keen to remain at one of Europe's leading leagues. Roma continue to monitor the Brazilian as a target to strengthen their forward line, though securing him appears difficult given his wages. Napoli have also entered the race for Martinelli's signature and have opened initial contact with Arsenal to assess the feasibility of a deal. Napoli are looking to complete their attack under Allegri's management.

Roma continue to await a response from Porto regarding Mora while scouting reinforcements for their attacking options. The club has Fofana of Lyon under observation and Nkunku on their shortlist. The French forward is outside Amorim's project at his current club, having left Milan for personal reasons, and is awaiting developments in the transfer market. Barcelona have initiated first contacts with his representatives, with Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund also interested. Nkunku's preference remains the Premier League, though no active negotiations are currently underway. Roma remain watching the situation closely as they weigh their options in the final weeks of the transfer window. The competition from Barcelona and other elite European clubs suggests any move for the attacker would face significant obstacles, particularly given his stated preference for English football.

Roma have named their squad for tomorrow's friendly against Borussia Dortmund at 17:30, the final pre-season match following warm-up games against Trastevere, Primavera, Cannes, Cardiff, Newport and Brighton. The Giallorossi will fly to Germany on 14 August, with the match taking place on Ferragosto (15 August). Molina earns his first call-up and is available to head coach Gasperini, while Koné returns to the squad. Absent through injury are Pisilli and Pellegrini; Wesley is also ruled out with a mild ankle sprain. Academy player Morucci has been included in the attacking contingent. The 24-man squad includes three goalkeepers—De Marzi, Gollini and Svilar—and a broad defensive line featuring Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziólkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi. Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné form the midfield core, while the attack comprises Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The squad depth reflects Roma's preparation for the new season amid the pre-campaign injury list.

Roma's pursuit of Inter's Luis Henrique has stalled over wage demands. According to Fabrizio Romano, the primary obstacle between the Giallorossi and the Nerazzurri is not a transfer fee but the player's salary expectations. The Inter left-back, born in 2001, has signalled his openness to a move to the capital and would fit Gasperini's tactical setup, potentially playing in a more advanced role. However, the Friedkin Group has now placed the operation on standby, not due to lack of interest in the Brazilian winger but because Roma's immediate focus has shifted to securing an attacking winger. Luis Henrique is one of three candidates Roma is considering for the vice-Wesley role. Cacciamani is another option, though the Torino player would prefer to continue his development at the club but would not resist a move to Rome. Udogie, reportedly Gasperini's preferred choice, faces a complication: Tottenham are unwilling to sanction a loan deal. La Gazzetta dello Sport has confirmed the economic disagreement between Roma and Luis Henrique persists, with the club now deprioritising the deal as they concentrate resources on landing their primary wide attacking target.

Negotiations between Roma and Porto over Portuguese winger Rodrigo Mora have hit a standstill. After an agreement appeared complete on Tuesday evening — involving a paid loan with a conditional obligation to buy for a total of 45 million euros — Porto reversed course. Two days of intense talks followed through agent Jorge Mendes's office, but no final resolution has been reached. Porto continues to push for easier payment conditions, while Roma wants to enforce the existing agreement. Roma director D'Amico remains committed but is exploring backup options. A move for Fofana remains difficult, with Lyon unwilling to accept less than 45 million euros without creative payment structures. Midfielder Nkunku, a longtime target of coach Giampiero Gasperini, could return to the conversation after Milan, who holds his registration, indicated a loan might be possible — though his 9 million euro gross salary poses an obstacle. For the vice-Wesley role, Roma is pursuing Cacciamani while also tracking Luis Henrique and Udogie as potential loan options, though those would likely only materialise late in the window.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park in Germany for their final pre-season friendly. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for the clash following the defeat to Brighton. Midfielder Manu Koné returns to the group after his earlier absence. The match marks Roma's last outing before the Serie A campaign begins. Gasperini has included a mix of established players and younger squad members, with defenders Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini and Jan Ziółkowski, midfielder Bryan Cristante, and attackers Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen all in contention. The pre-season preparations will culminate with this fixture at the German club's Signal Iduna Park. Defenders: Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziółkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli, Ghilardi. Midfielders: Cristante, El Aynaoui, Koné. Forwards: Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz, Morucci.

Roma have named their squad for tomorrow's friendly against Borussia Dortmund at 17:30, the final pre-season match following warm-up games against Trastevere, Primavera, Cannes, Cardiff, Newport and Brighton. The Giallorossi will fly to Germany on 14 August, with the match taking place on Ferragosto (15 August). Molina earns his first call-up and is available to head coach Gasperini, while Koné returns to the squad. Absent through injury are Pisilli and Pellegrini; Wesley is also ruled out with a mild ankle sprain. Academy player Morucci has been included in the attacking contingent. The 24-man squad includes three goalkeepers—De Marzi, Gollini and Svilar—and a broad defensive line featuring Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziólkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi. Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné form the midfield core, while the attack comprises Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The squad depth reflects Roma's preparation for the new season amid the pre-campaign injury list.

Roma are closing in on Inter winger Luis Henrique as the club accelerates its summer recruitment drive. The Giallorossi have tabled an offer of €28 million plus bonuses, narrowing the gap with Inter's €30 million valuation of the Brazilian. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Henrique as the ideal profile to provide balance across Roma's flanks, given his ability to operate on either wing. The move is described as being on the verge of completion, pending only the player's final approval. The Henrique pursuit forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Roma's wide options. The club has already agreed a verbal deal with Porto for playmaker Rodrigo Mora on a loan arrangement worth €7 million with a fixed purchase option set at €43 million. Gasperini has identified both moves as priorities to build a squad combining creativity and solidity in the attacking lanes. The existing wide contingent includes Wesley, Nahuel Molina, and Devyne Rensch. With these final pieces in place and the gradual return of internationals such as Manu Koné, Gasperini's tactical blueprint is taking shape ahead of the season's opening fixture.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park in Germany for their final pre-season friendly. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for the clash following the defeat to Brighton. Midfielder Manu Koné returns to the group after his earlier absence. The match marks Roma's last outing before the Serie A campaign begins. Gasperini has included a mix of established players and younger squad members, with defenders Devyne Rensch, Evan N'Dicka, Gianluca Mancini and Jan Ziółkowski, midfielder Bryan Cristante, and attackers Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé and Donyell Malen all in contention. The pre-season preparations will culminate with this fixture at the German club's Signal Iduna Park. Defenders: Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziółkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli, Ghilardi. Midfielders: Cristante, El Aynaoui, Koné. Forwards: Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz, Morucci.

Roma have named their squad for tomorrow's friendly against Borussia Dortmund at 17:30, the final pre-season match following warm-up games against Trastevere, Primavera, Cannes, Cardiff, Newport and Brighton. The Giallorossi will fly to Germany on 14 August, with the match taking place on Ferragosto (15 August). Molina earns his first call-up and is available to head coach Gasperini, while Koné returns to the squad. Absent through injury are Pisilli and Pellegrini; Wesley is also ruled out with a mild ankle sprain. Academy player Morucci has been included in the attacking contingent. The 24-man squad includes three goalkeepers—De Marzi, Gollini and Svilar—and a broad defensive line featuring Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziólkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi. Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné form the midfield core, while the attack comprises Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The squad depth reflects Roma's preparation for the new season amid the pre-campaign injury list.

Roma will face Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park. Gian Piero Gasperini's side complete their build-up after a British tour with this test match in Germany. Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Neil El Aynaoui and Bryan Cristante anchor the midfield, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen in attack. Borussia Dortmund will deploy an identical shape, managed by Kovac. Tickets are available through the Borussia Dortmund club website. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text updates available on ilromanista.eu.