Gasperini: Koné fit for Hellas finale, Roma eyes World Cup boost for transfer valuation

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.

Roma are pushing to sign Porto attacking midfielder Rodrigo Mora, a 19-year-old born in 2007 and the youngest debutant in Porto's history. The club has offered a loan deal plus a €45 million right of purchase, against Porto's €50 million asking price, and hopes to secure approval from the Portuguese club between 9 and 10 August. Galatasaray had also been close to signing Mora but are delaying their move while awaiting a response to an offer made to Russian midfielder Batrakov, creating an opening for Roma to accelerate their pursuit. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified an attacking winger as a priority following Roma's pre-season tour of Wales and England. Multiple sources, including journalist Alfredo Pedullà, have confirmed Roma's interest in Mora, with some reports suggesting the club would not rule out alternative targets like Endrick. Roma have moved ahead of Galatasaray in the race for the Portuguese teenager and are keen to finalise the deal quickly, with the club reportedly in a race against time to complete negotiations.

Roma's defence, which finished as Serie A's second-best last season, has shown alarming fragility during their pre-season tour of Britain. The Giallorossi conceded eight goals across three friendlies—four against Cardiff, one against Newport, and three against Brighton—with the tally rising to 11 when including a 3–3 draw against Cannes. Against Brighton on 8 August, Gasperini made wholesale defensive changes after Roma had shipped three goals in 49 minutes, introducing Ghilardi and new arrival Koulierakis while withdrawing N'Dicka and Hermoso. The ivory-coast central defender had failed to close down Ayari's double, prompting Gasperini to turn to the bench and shout "Let's change." Hermoso, managing an ankle problem, allowed Rutter to nearly extend the lead moments after the 3–0. Earlier defensive lapses against Cardiff exposed deeper issues: Ahsford's opener came after N'Dicka slipped and a rebound off Rensch, while Salech's second followed a costly Svilar error on a dangerous Wesley backpass. El Aynaoui was substituted at half-time after a misplaced pass that set up Ayari's second goal, and Rensch drew criticism for poor decision-making. The unit that had anchored Roma's recent success now appears fragile heading into the season. Gasperini acknowledged the work ahead, saying "the team is struggling to switch back on," highlighting the scale of the challenge to restore defensive solidity before competitive fixtures begin.