Roma pursue Porto teenager Rodrigo Mora as Galatasaray hesitates

Roma are accelerating their pursuit of Porto midfielder Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born playmaker and winger, with the intention to finalize the signing in the coming days. The club has reportedly edged out Galatasaray's interest and is pushing for Porto's approval between today and tomorrow. Mora, 19, is known as Porto's youngest debut-maker in the club's history. The push for an attacking reinforcement comes after difficulties that emerged during Roma's recent British tour, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to request additional offensive firepower. Porto have set their valuation at €50 million. Roma have submitted an initial proposal structured as a loan worth €5 million with a right of purchase set at €45 million, aiming to wrap up the deal as quickly as possible. The Roma hierarchy are determined to complete the operation in minimal time, with the window for negotiation expected to close imminently.

Manu Koné's future at Roma remains uncertain despite Manchester United's pursuit failing to materialise. The French midfielder will return to Gasperini's squad from Tuesday following the post-World Cup break, but could still leave the capital in the coming weeks. Chelsea have emerged as a serious threat to sign him, according to Il Messaggero. The Blues risk losing Enzo Fernández to Manchester City, who are expected to part with Rodri in the coming hours and are also monitoring Buoaddi as a Spanish alternative. Should that move go through, Xabi Alonso's side would be positioned to make their move for Koné. Gasperini offered clarity on Roma's transfer stance in the aftermath of Brighton–Roma, telling reporters: "I don't know if we will avoid departures. We have a chief executive; you should ask him these questions." The conditional nature of any Chelsea move means Roma's position on selling the number 17 remains a critical variable in whether negotiations progress.

Roma returned to Italy on the afternoon of 8 August following a 3–0 friendly defeat to Brighton during their ten-day training camp in Wales and England. The squad travelled by coach to London before boarding a direct flight to Fiumicino. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini granted his players two full days of rest before resuming work. Training resumes on Tuesday at the Fulvio Bernardini centre in Trigoria, where Lorenzo Pellegrini will rejoin the group. Gasperini also expects to have Nahuel Molina on the pitch the same day. The Argentine right-back is set to arrive in Rome in the coming days to undergo medical tests ahead of signing his contract with Roma.