Fofana climb: Lipsia complicates Roma's left-wing search; Mbaye loan option under review

Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is pursuing a left-sided winger after settling contract renewal discussions. While Malick Fofana of Lyon remains a priority target, the deal faces complications from Leipzig's interest and a complex web of agent fees and commissions linked to the Diomande transaction. Ibrahim Mbaye of PSG has emerged as an alternative option. The 21-year-old could arrive on loan to gain playing time that manager Luis Enrique has struggled to provide at Parigi. Roma continue to monitor other possibilities across the Premier League and Spain, including Chelsea's Jamie Gittens and a potential loan move for Endrick from Real Madrid, who is also being tracked by Fenerbahçe and various English clubs.

Roma are preparing a fresh approach for Alessio Cacciamani after remarks from Torino's technical director Gianluca Petrachi reopened the possibility of a deal for the 2007-born midfielder. Although Torino president Urbano Cairo's recent comments had suggested the door was closing, Petrachi's public comments on Cacciamani signal potential movement. Speaking at the Memorial Sandro Criscitiello, Petrachi said: "He is a youth academy prospect, very interesting. He needs to prove himself in Serie A, but he has everything to grow and grow significantly. He is certainly being monitored. We would like to continue with players like him, but we also have to account for a market that sometimes presents absurd, mad prices that one cannot reasonably consider. Our intention is to hold on to him." The implicit opening has encouraged Roma to make another bid, seeing Cacciamani as the ideal fit to serve as Wesley's backup under Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical setup. Cacciamani impressed in Serie B on loan at Juve Stabia in the previous season, where he was developed by Ignazio Abate, now Torino's manager.

AS Roma's pursuit of Torino left-back Alessio Cacciamani remains viable after recent comments from the club's technical director suggested the transfer could still happen. The 2007-born defender, who spent last season on loan at Juve Stabia in Serie B, is wanted by Roma as a potential deputy to Wesley. Torino president Urbano Cairo's earlier remarks had appeared to rule out the player's departure, but Gianluca Petrachi, the club's current technical director and former Roma sporting director, reopened the possibility during an appearance at the fourth Memorial Sandro Criscitiello event in Avellino on 8 August. Petrachi acknowledged the value of Cacciamani, a product of Torino's academy, while also outlining the constraints facing his club in the market. "He is a very interesting academy player. He needs to prove himself in Serie A, but he has everything to grow and grow significantly. He is certainly being watched. We would like to continue with players like him, but we also have to reckon with a market that sometimes presents absurd, crazy prices that you cannot take into account. Our intention is to keep him," Petrachi said. Roma's next bid, if it comes, will need to address those financial realities to tempt Torino into a sale.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a new one-year contract with Roma, accepting a significant wage reduction from €6.5 million to approximately €2.5 million net as he rejected offers from Turkey and Juventus to remain at the club. The captain completed his medical and formalized the agreement, which includes no extension options. Roma highlighted his decision as a strong commitment to the club's values and sporting vision. Pellegrini has been recovering from a tendon operation performed in early June and working with a personal trainer to regain fitness. He will return to the Trigoria training ground from Tuesday, though the club is taking a cautious approach to his recovery. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed that Pellegrini is expected to return to action in September, targeting availability between the third and fourth Serie A matchdays.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has extended his contract with Roma for one additional season, with the club confirming the deal on 8 August 2026. Roma announced the renewal through a social media post reading "Lorenzo Pellegrini. More to write" alongside a video of his best goals in a Roma shirt. Pellegrini marked the occasion with his own post: "Per amore" (For love). The new deal comes at significantly reduced wages compared to his previous terms and contains no renewal option, meaning the captain will play out the 2026-27 season facing an expiration date with all the associated consequences. By accepting lower terms and demonstrating flexibility to meet the club's needs, Pellegrini has freed up budget for Roma to invest in a single attacking player rather than split resources between two. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will have the midfielder available as the squad returns from its pre-season training camp in Wales ahead of the season opener against Fiorentina.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has pledged his long-term future to AS Roma, commenting "for love" on social media as he begins outdoor training today following a late-May setback. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed the captain will be sidelined for at least another month as he works to regain full fitness after Roma's 3-0 defeat at Brighton. When asked whether Roma have strengthened their squad this summer, Gasperini deferred judgment. "I don't know, you tell me," he said. "Even counting up, I think there's still a need for something, but we all know that." The club continues to pursue left-winger targets, though negotiations for Leipzig's Nusa have stalled, and Lyon's Fofana represents another complicated avenue. Progress on Torino's Cacciamani for the midfield flank position has also failed to materialise, while Salah-Eddine remains unavailable after rejecting a move to Olympiacos. On possible departures, Gasperini declined to rule them out but redirected the question to new chief executive Galantic: "There is a new chief executive officer; you can ask him what Roma can or cannot do."