Gasperini faces final market stretch as Roma chase Champions League preparations

Roma have approved the sale of Jan Ziółkowski to Monza on loan with a €18 million purchase option. The defender's departure clears the way for the club to pursue Aston Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with director D'Amico negotiating a loan deal with an obligation to buy, subject to conditions. Bareldi was a genuine target for Roma a year ago, when Marseille rejected a move and demanded €30 million. The two clubs are now in talks over different terms. The Argentine centre-back has already agreed personal terms with Roma, as he had a year prior, and is awaiting confirmation to travel to the capital. His arrival would make Balerdi the fifth Argentine player in Roma's squad.

Roma are targeting Leonardo Balerdi to strengthen their defence as Jan Ziółkowski prepares to leave for Monza. The 27-year-old Argentine centre-back, who rose through Boca Juniors and Borussia Dortmund before establishing himself at Marseille, brings high-level experience and solid international credentials. Balerdi is no conventional stopper of muscle and clearances. His principal strength is his relationship with the ball: he enjoys building from the back, escaping pressure, playing vertical passes and carrying possession out of defence. Last season he ranked among defenders with the highest percentages for completed passes and accuracy in forward play. He is also an aggressive centre-back who prefers to anticipate the striker rather than wait inside the area, and plays with personality and authority — he is comfortable in a three-man defence, where his ability to step up against an attacker plays to his strengths. Yet his asset is also his liability. Balerdi's technical confidence sometimes leads him to attempt one more action than necessary. When an exit goes wrong or he loses position, the error can be costly. This happened repeatedly at Marseille, and the alternation between excellent displays and occasional lapses drew criticism and whistles from the Vélodrome crowd. In short: he is not a faultless defender, but a modern, technical and courageous centre-back. If he can limit his distractions, he can be a player of significant calibre. A right calf injury in March was followed by another in June that forced him to withdraw from Argentina's Copa América squad. The problem appeared resolved during pre-season when he returned to regular action, but in August he felt fresh calf pain and missed Marseille's opening league match against Strasbourg. This does not necessarily signal a fragile player, but it is an aspect Roma will need to examine carefully during medical checks. Compared to Ziółkowski, Balerdi would represent a clear shift: less prospect of future development, but far more immediate experience. He would arrive ready from the start, with quality on the ball and commanding presence.

Roma have submitted a bid to Olympique Marseille for centre-back Leonardo Balerdi on a loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy. According to Gianluca Di Marzio's report, the proposal centres on a loan with a right of rescission that would convert to an obligation upon the fulfilment of certain conditions. No fees or specific conditions triggering a permanent deal have been disclosed. The move signals a shift in Roma's defensive recruitment strategy under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as the club seeks to bolster its back line. Bareldi, 27, is an Argentine centre-back standing approximately 1.88 metres tall and right-footed. He joined Europe in 2019 with Borussia Dortmund before moving to Marseille, where he has been a regular since 2020. He has also earned caps for the Argentine national team. Roma's interest adds an experienced international profile to their list of possible defensive reinforcements, and the outcome will now depend on Marseille's response and whether the two clubs can find common ground on the proposed structure.

Roma prepare for Monday's match against Lecce with Gasperini able to call on almost his full squad, though Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch are unavailable. Rensch did not train today and will target recovery ahead of the Atalanta fixture scheduled for 5 September at 20:45. Nahuel Molina, now fully recovered, is competing with Lulli for the right-wing position, while Wesley is ready on the other flank. In midfield, Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé are battling for a starting berth, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala set to lead the attack. Roma are chasing a second consecutive victory with three days to prepare.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Jan Ziolkowski is departing Roma to join Monza on loan with a purchase option set at €18 million. The Polish centre-back will undergo medical tests today before signing his contract with the Monza squad, according to Fabrizio Romano. His spell at Roma lasted just over a year. The departure leaves Roma's defence requiring reinforcement. The club is monitoring Morato at Nottingham Forest, though the English side are seeking a permanent sale and have not yet opened discussions over a loan arrangement. Kehrer and Aguerd remain alternative targets on the shortlist as Roma's recruitment team explores options to strengthen the backline.