Fofana holds firm for attack as Udogie option fades

Robinio Vaz has moved from being a candidate for departure to a central part of Gian Piero Gasperini's plans after impressing during Roma's pre-season preparation. At the start of the summer retreat, the young French forward's future remained uncertain, with a temporary move away mooted to give him regular playing time. As the weeks progressed, however, Vaz's quality and growth potential persuaded Gasperini to work with him directly, developing his characteristics and integrating him into the first team's offensive rotation. Roma has acted decisively to keep him. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club has rejected multiple loan approaches from Serie A sides. The decision reflects Gasperini's commitment to developing Vaz at Trigoria rather than sending him elsewhere for experience. The coach wants to work with him daily and assess how far he can push his development. Vaz can operate as a centre-forward or on the wing, offering flexibility in an attacking department Gasperini favours keeping well-stocked. The shift in direction marks a small but meaningful promotion earned entirely through his pre-season performances, an opportunity Vaz aims to build on after spending his first six months in Serie A in an apprenticeship role.

Roma are close to signing Jayden Oosterwolde from Fenerbahce on a loan deal worth approximately €3 million, with a right of purchase that can become an obligation under certain conditions, for a total package around €17–18 million. The Dutch left-back's agreement with the player is already finalised. Head coach Gasperini views him as Wesley's backup but notes he can also play centrally. Oosterwolde is currently sidelined by a muscle problem and is expected to be available around mid-September. With the transfer window entering its final days, Roma continue to scout attacking reinforcements despite the ownership's decision to scale back investment. The club has stepped up pursuit of several wing options while managing departures that could fund these acquisitions. Defence remains an area under review, with potential outgoings creating space for new additions. Among the targets on Roma's radar is Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, the 22-year-old Chelsea winger. The club has proposed roughly €3 million for a temporary transfer plus a purchase option worth around €40 million, but Chelsea have so far resisted a loan move and favour a permanent sale instead. Roma are expected to continue pushing for this deal in the final days of the window. Malick Fofana, the 21-year-old Lyon winger, remains a possibility but the operation is currently blocked. Lyon must first play their Champions League playoff return against Fenerbahce, and Roma have reduced their investment targets following ownership guidance. Should another winger not arrive and Lyon accept more sustainable economic terms in the coming days, the club could attempt to reopen negotiations. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, a 21-year-old winger at Eintracht Frankfurt, is also among alternatives considered by sporting director D'Amico should primary targets fail to materialise. Pedro Henrique, a 20-year-old Brazilian winger at Zenit, has also been proposed to Roma in recent hours, though no concrete move has been signalled from the club. Yasin Ayari, a 22-year-old Swedish midfielder from Brighton, has attracted contact from Roma, but Borussia Dortmund's serious interest and Brighton's high valuation of approximately €45 million have complicated progress; Roma are considering a loan with a purchase option, a formula that currently conflicts with the asking price. On departures, Jan Ziółkowski could leave Rome. The 21-year-old Polish defender has attracted attention from several Saudi clubs, particularly Neom, from whom Roma await a concrete offer. Roma's valuation stands between €16 and €20 million, with 10 per cent of future resale revenue going to Legia Warsaw. A sale could fund the final investment in an attacking player. Daniele Ghilardi, aged 23, is also being monitored, with Bologna showing interest. Should either defender depart, Roma would return to the market for a replacement, preferably on loan.

Roma's transfer activity extends beyond Rodrigo Mora, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing multiple targets for the coming weeks. Mora is expected to be available for training at Trigoria on 24 August, with the possibility of featuring in the Florence fixture shortly after, provided no complications arise. The club continues to pursue Malick Fofana, while Udogie is the leading candidate to reinforce the left flank. Endrick remains a concrete prospect should Matías Soulé depart. Gasperini is keen to integrate Mora into the squad as soon as possible, but the transfer window strategy encompasses several alternative options across the pitch.

Gasperini is preparing Roma's opening lineup for Monday's visit of Fiorentina, with the shape of his team already taking clearer form in the final days of the transfer window. The Stadio Olimpico will host Fiorentina, managed by Grosso, who despite their youth and last season's league position will present a stern test. Gasperini has identified Fiorentina's preference for a 4-3-3 setup during summer friendlies and is likely to counter with a 3-4-1-2 formation against their four-man defence, adapting his usual structure. That system would see Rodrigo Mora operating as the trequartista behind the Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen partnership, a position where the Argentine could make an immediate impact and deliver more options than Matías Soulé offers from the left flank. The formation can shift to a 3-4-2-1 during play when Malen presses higher up the pitch. Gasperini will keep some selection decisions until the final stages of Monday's match. Wesley and Molina appear set for the right flank, while Kostas Tsimikas contests the left-back role against Mario Hermoso for a starting place. The central defensive duel between Evan N'Dicka and Fiorentina's Kean will be a critical battleground — N'Dicka has struggled more than usual against Kean's pace and explosive moments from his time at Juventus. Fiorentina's Arthur Atta will be their wildcard variable, looking to disrupt Roma's defensive shape by dropping deep and unsettling the back line. Molina will have dual duties: creating danger down the flank through his runs while containing the constant forward drives of Valdepeñas. The final training session takes place this afternoon at Trigoria, where remaining selection dilemmas—including the Mora-Soulé contest and the Cristante-Neil El Aynaoui decision—will be resolved. Gasperini continues to wait for one more attacking wide player with different characteristics from Mora during the summer window. Monday brings the first competitive test of the season, a tactical chess match between two managers with distinct philosophies and clear identities. Roma will need a strong start in a title race that this year features more Champions League contenders than ever before.

Roma are close to signing Jayden Oosterwolde from Fenerbahce on a loan deal worth approximately €3 million, with a right of purchase that can become an obligation under certain conditions, for a total package around €17–18 million. The Dutch left-back's agreement with the player is already finalised. Head coach Gasperini views him as Wesley's backup but notes he can also play centrally. Oosterwolde is currently sidelined by a muscle problem and is expected to be available around mid-September. With the transfer window entering its final days, Roma continue to scout attacking reinforcements despite the ownership's decision to scale back investment. The club has stepped up pursuit of several wing options while managing departures that could fund these acquisitions. Defence remains an area under review, with potential outgoings creating space for new additions. Among the targets on Roma's radar is Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, the 22-year-old Chelsea winger. The club has proposed roughly €3 million for a temporary transfer plus a purchase option worth around €40 million, but Chelsea have so far resisted a loan move and favour a permanent sale instead. Roma are expected to continue pushing for this deal in the final days of the window. Malick Fofana, the 21-year-old Lyon winger, remains a possibility but the operation is currently blocked. Lyon must first play their Champions League playoff return against Fenerbahce, and Roma have reduced their investment targets following ownership guidance. Should another winger not arrive and Lyon accept more sustainable economic terms in the coming days, the club could attempt to reopen negotiations. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, a 21-year-old winger at Eintracht Frankfurt, is also among alternatives considered by sporting director D'Amico should primary targets fail to materialise. Pedro Henrique, a 20-year-old Brazilian winger at Zenit, has also been proposed to Roma in recent hours, though no concrete move has been signalled from the club. Yasin Ayari, a 22-year-old Swedish midfielder from Brighton, has attracted contact from Roma, but Borussia Dortmund's serious interest and Brighton's high valuation of approximately €45 million have complicated progress; Roma are considering a loan with a purchase option, a formula that currently conflicts with the asking price. On departures, Jan Ziółkowski could leave Rome. The 21-year-old Polish defender has attracted attention from several Saudi clubs, particularly Neom, from whom Roma await a concrete offer. Roma's valuation stands between €16 and €20 million, with 10 per cent of future resale revenue going to Legia Warsaw. A sale could fund the final investment in an attacking player. Daniele Ghilardi, aged 23, is also being monitored, with Bologna showing interest. Should either defender depart, Roma would return to the market for a replacement, preferably on loan.

Rodrigo Mora completed his formalities and trained with Roma's first team at Trigoria on 22 August, joining head coach Gasperini's squad ahead of the league's start in five days. The transfer activity continues as the club seeks to complete its squad puzzle with two specific targets: a left-back deputy to Wesley and a left-winger with a right foot—a role distinct from the one Mora has taken on. Gasperini stated clearly that with Roma facing more than 50 matches at a high level, the club will need a pair of players for every position. Numerically the squad is short, and the coach believes depth will prove essential. Alessio Cacciamani remains a strong candidate for the left-back role. Turin sources regularly cite high figures and attempt to lock down the young player, who impressed with Juve Stabia. Roma does not want to overspend and hopes that as days pass, Cairo and Petrachi will soften their stance; the player would reportedly arrive at Trigoria immediately. Regarding the attacking winger position, negotiations with Fofana and Lyon are well advanced, independent of Lyon's Champions League progress. Fonseca would prefer to keep the Lyon player through next Wednesday's Champions League preliminary against Fenerbahce, which will be decisive. Recent meetings have addressed the timeline for the remaining transfer operations. Discussions have also covered potential departures; the remaining names under consideration are Soulé and Ziółkowski.