Fofana deal hinges on sale; Luis Henrique emerges as alternative

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.

Jorge Mendes is working on a potential move for Matías Soulé to AC Milan, opening new possibilities for Roma as the transfer window enters its final stages. The agent's visit to Italy extends beyond his work with new Roma arrival Rodrigo Mora, and has reignited contact with Milan over Soulé, valued at approximately €35 million plus add-ons. Roma are exploring options including a loan with an obligation to buy or potential swap deals. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has long harboured interest in elite-profile targets, with Rafa Leão and Christopher Nkunku among names in the background of these discussions. Parallel to the Soulé situation, Roma continue pursuing Inter's Luis Henrique to strengthen their flanks and attack. The Brazilian's versatility—capable of playing on either wing or in support of the striker—appeals to Gasperini. Inter are holding out for €30 million, while Roma are pushing for a loan with an obligation to buy and have offered Henrique €1.5 million in salary plus add-ons. Henrique's willingness to join Roma has kept negotiations alive. He has now overtaken Destiny Udogie in the manager's preferences, though Roma are also monitoring Alessio Cacciamani.

Roma continue their search for an attacking winger and a centre midfielder to provide head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, with 12 days remaining in the transfer window. Moves for Udogie and Luis Henrique have stalled. The Brazilian, available from Inter, commands a high wage and the club has refused to sell him on a loan with a purchase option, instead demanding a conditional obligation to buy from Roma. Alessio Cacciamani has re-emerged as a target after Torino closed a deal with Fiorentina for Fortini in the same position. Torino rejected a €12 million offer (€10m plus add-ons) weeks ago and are seeking €20 million, though the club faces pressure to sell and Roma could prepare a counter-bid in the coming hours. Meanwhile, AC Milan continue to track Matías Soulé closely but any deal would require an offer of at least €35 million. Christopher Nkunku's name has resurfaced as a potential alternative for the Giallorossi.

Rodrigo Mora impressed in his first training session and now has four days to convince Gasperini he deserves the starting role in Roma's match against Fiorentina on Monday. The Portuguese forward will compete with Matías Soulé for the trequartista position in a 3-4-1-2 formation that Roma trialled on 19 August. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start as the two strikers, with Mora eyeing an opportunity to stake his claim in the role that suits him best. Soulé's availability for the match remains uncertain as AC Milan continues to press for his signature, alongside English club Sunderland. The competition for places elsewhere in the team appears settled: Molina is ready to make his debut, Wesley will start at left-back, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will operate in midfield, and the defensive line in front of Mile Svilar will comprise Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini's early feedback on Mora has been positive, giving the forward genuine scope to earn a starting berth.

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.

Agent Jorge Mendes has arrived in Italy, and while his primary business involves Milan, contact has intensified between Roma and the Rossoneri over the transfer of Matías Soulé. Roma are asking for €35 million plus bonuses, though the deal could also be structured as a loan with an obligation to buy or as a straight swap. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has long held interest in Milan's Rafa Leao and Christopher Nkunku, with the latter pursued during the winter transfer window, but a move for either remains a steep challenge. Gasperini and sporting director Tony D'Amico have prioritised addressing the left wing-back position as a backup to Wesley. Inter's Luis Henrique remains the ideal candidate, capable of playing across both flanks and in more advanced roles behind the striker. The more concrete option at present is Malick Fofana of Lyon, where an agreement is already in place, though Roma want to settle the Soulé situation first. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Mora, who arrived at Roma, gave his first interview to the club's official channels, saying: "I cannot wait to play with Dybala."

Niccolò Pisilli and Wesley have returned to training with Roma ahead of Monday evening's Serie A fixture against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico, which is set for a sell-out. Pisilli has recovered from a muscular problem to the thigh that sidelined him in recent weeks, while Wesley completed partial work with the squad after a minor ankle sprain. Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing in midfield despite Pisilli's availability. Wesley, the Brazilian winger, is targeting a starting berth against Fiorentina. Manchester United completed a deal for Brighton's Carlos Baleba on the same day, removing any uncertainty over Manu Koné's future at Roma. In defence, Mario Hermoso holds an advantage over Koulierakis for a place, while Molina will make his debut on the right. Lorenzo Pellegrini is unavailable for the match.

Roma trained at Trigoria this morning following a three-day rest granted by Gasperini, with new signing Rodrigo Mora featuring in his first session after receiving official confirmation. The squad is preparing for their Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday, 24 August at 20:45 at Stadio Olimpico. Niccolò Pisilli has recovered from injury and returned to full group training, a significant boost for Gasperini's midfield options. Lorenzo Pellegrini continues working separately, with his availability for the Fiorentina match to be assessed day by day. Wesley completed a partial session but is on track to start against Viola, with no fitness concerns reported.

Roma returned to training at Trigoria on 19 August after a three-day break, with Rodrigo Mora joining the squad following his arrival. Niccolò Pisilli has recovered from injury and trained with the group for the first time, boosting Gian Piero Gasperini's options in midfield. Lorenzo Pellegrini, however, continued individual work and will miss the upcoming match against Fiorentina. Wesley completed partial training but faces no injury concerns and is targeting a starting place against the Viola. Gasperini now has a fuller complement of players available as Roma prepare for their next fixture, though Pellegrini's continued absence remains a constraint on team selection.

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.

Roma have closed the signing of Rodrigo Mora and are now concentrating on completing their flanks and attack, with Luis Henrique of Inter their leading target and an exit in the squad required to push through for Malick Fofana. Roma are working to find Wesley's ideal deputy for Gasperini, with Luis Henrique emerging as the favourite candidate. The two clubs have already drafted an agreement worth approximately €30 million including bonuses, structured as a loan with an obligation to buy. Remaining details on the Brazilian's wages need to be finalized, though he is keen on joining Roma. Separately, Roma are pushing hard for Fofana of Lyon to strengthen their attack. The deal is feasible but depends on the departure of at least one of Matías Soulé or Manu Koné. Lyon, who hold Fofana's registration, are waiting for the outcome of their Champions League preliminaries on 26 August before opening to a sale. Rafa Leao remains a tempting option in the background, favoured by Gasperini but complicated by cost. In outgoings, Venezia, Bologna and Fiorentina are tracking Robinio Vaz closely, though Roma will not let him leave on a simple loan. Salah‑Eddine is also departing, with Roma evaluating the best options for his exit.

Roma are advancing in pursuit of Inter's Luis Henrique to serve as backup left-back to Wesley. The club has already reached a draft agreement with Inter, with the transfer valued at approximately €30 million including bonuses, though details of the loan-with-obligation-to-buy structure remain to be finalised. Henrique is convinced of the move, but salary negotiations must be resolved—he currently earns €2.5 million at Inter. Gasperini has made strengthening the left flank a priority following Rodrigo Mora's arrival. Henrique is ahead of Tottenham's Destiny Udogie and Torino's Alessio Cacciamani in the pecking order. A striker remains on the shopping list, with Lyon's Malick Fofana emerging as the leading candidate. Lyon want Fofana available for their Champions League playoff return on 26 August. Roma must sell either Matías Soulé or Manu Koné to make the Fofana deal work financially. The club is also working on secondary departures: Robinio Vaz has attracted interest from Venezia, Bologna, and Fiorentina, though Roma are not open to a loan, and Salah-Eddine is also available for transfer. Gasperini remains fascinated by the prospect of signing Rafa Leão as an option on the left wing.