Gasperini meets Ryan again as Roma pursue director appointment

Roma's hopes of signing Brazilian forward Endrick have dimmed significantly after Real Madrid communicated to the player and his representatives their intention to retain him at the club. The contacts between Roma and Endrick's camp had been continuous in recent days, but Real Madrid's decision to keep the player in the Spanish capital appears to have closed that avenue. Real Madrid manager Mourinho has approved the decision, with the club's recent pre-season period convincing him that Endrick has shown enough quality to remain useful to the team. The development forces Roma's recruitment strategy to shift. The club had identified Endrick as one of two primary attacking targets, alongside Mora, who remains a more realistic prospect. The player's growth and performances during Madrid's training camp have persuaded the Portuguese coach that selling him is unnecessary. This outcome means Roma's technical director D'Amico may now need to pivot to alternative attacking targets as the transfer window continues.

Nahuel Molina has completed his move from Atlético Madrid to AS Roma on a deal worth 13 million euros plus 4 million in bonuses. The Argentine defender touched down at Rome's Ciampino airport, where around 100 supporters greeted him with chants and songs. Molina responded with smiles, selfies, autographs and a message of "Forza Roma". Medical examinations and contract signature are scheduled, with his first training session under Gasperini expected tomorrow. Roma have accelerated negotiations for Portuguese talent Rodrigo Mora, reaching a personal agreement on a five-year contract. Agent Jorge Mendes is pushing Roma as the priority in talks with Porto, and the two clubs are converging on Roma's revised offer of 25 million euros immediately plus a further 25 million in 2027. Roma hold the advantage over Galatasaray and are working with optimism to complete the deal in the coming hours. Negotiations also continue over Brazilian forward Endrick. Roma have been working behind the scenes for weeks to convince him that the capital offers the ideal platform to revive his career, though he remains keen to stay at Madrid to fight for his chances. Aston Villa present strong competition for his signature. Meanwhile, Roma are evaluating Inter's Luis Henrique as an option to strengthen the wing, with the Brazilian capable of operating as a secondary striker as well. Inter value Henrique at approximately 30 million euros, but several Premier League clubs are also interested.

Roma continue to pursue Endrick from Real Madrid as a key attacking target, with director D'Amico prioritising the young Portuguese talent after weeks of negotiations. Liverpool have evaluated Endrick but only on a permanent basis, a condition Real Madrid will not accept; the Spanish club insists on a loan arrangement to ensure the player receives regular playing time and development. Real Madrid have now assigned Endrick the number 9 shirt for the coming season—a shirt previously worn by legends Ronaldo Nazário and Cristiano Ronaldo—signalling the club's commitment to keeping him in the squad. Aston Villa remain Roma's main rival for the player's signature. Roma's interest in Endrick dates back more than a month, with continuous contact maintained with Real Madrid, though official approval remains outstanding. The loan formula proposed by the Spanish side aligns with Roma's preference, but Liverpool's rejection of any temporary deal has removed them from the race. According to Diario AS, Real Madrid have communicated to Endrick their intention to retain him, a position Mourinho endorses. With a deal for Mora reportedly close to completion in the coming hours, Roma plan to accelerate their push for Endrick once that transfer is finalised.

Roma have tabled an offer for Rodrigo Mora, a winger at Porto, as they continue their search for wide attacking reinforcements, while remaining interested in Alessio Cacciamani of Torino. For Mora, Roma have proposed a loan with an option to buy, but Porto are holding out for a permanent sale. The Giallorossi have tendered €25M plus significant bonuses and a sell-on clause, though Porto's valuation stands at €45–50M. Galatasaray are also pursuing the player. Meanwhile, Roma are preparing a bumper offer for Cacciamani. Torino wish to retain him but may need to generate sales this summer. An earlier bid of €12M plus €3M in bonuses was lodged, and Roma are expected to increase their offer, though not substantially. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is known for developing young talent, though the club would prefer to land an established star who requires minimal adjustment. Separately, Lorenzo Pellegrini has agreed a one-year contract with an option after spending the summer as a free agent recovering from thigh surgery. Gasperini stated he would not be ready to play for at least a month. Like Paulo Dybala, Pellegrini reduced his wages to rejoin the club.

Wesley has backed a move to Roma for Endrick, saying he would be delighted if the Brazilian joined the club. Speaking to Italian media, the Roma winger reflected on his pre-season programme across Cardiff and Brighton, assessing the team's preparation for the new campaign. "It is obvious that I would very much like it if he came to Roma but it is him who decides what is best for his future. I would like to see many Brazilians here, there are several who could be useful to us but in the end it is always the sporting director who decides. Anyway if he came I would be very happy," Wesley said. Wesley, who missed the World Cup after a late injury, has established himself as Roma's left winger under Gian Piero Gasperini despite it not being his natural position. He praised the arrival of Molina, describing the new recruit as a great footballer who will provide significant help. Roma have secured Champions League football for the first time in seven years, and Wesley expressed his enthusiasm for the competition, calling it a sort of World Cup for participating players but acknowledging it is very difficult and demanding. Wesley also spoke warmly of his bond with Paulo Dybala, noting that despite being the only Brazilian in a dressing room full of Argentines, he has no issues with his teammates. He remains curious about Roma's campaign in European competition and the challenges that lie ahead in the new season.

Gian Piero Gasperini is pursuing a dual attacking recruitment strategy to reshape Roma's forward line around existing talents Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé. The primary target is Rodrigo Mora, a Portuguese playmaker born in 2007, whom Roma are negotiating to sign permanently from Porto for a fee in the region of €45–50 million. Mora was the standout performer at the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship with five goals and two assists, and scored 10 goals with four assists in Porto's league campaign at age 17. He has since been capped by Portugal's senior side, though a March 2025 injury ruled him out of friendlies against Mexico and the United States. Under Porto's current setup, Mora appeared off the bench in yesterday's first-league match against Alverca, a 2–0 victory, and the club is now receptive to a permanent sale as Roma navigate the financial structure of a deal involving amortization and wages. Roma's ambition extends to a loan move for Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa, a Brazilian forward born in 2006 whom Real Madrid acquired as a 16-year-old for €72 million. Endrick spent the past season on loan at Olympique Lione, where he scored five goals and provided seven assists across 16 appearances. Roma are seeking a loan formula that includes a purchase option, while Real Madrid would retain a buy-back clause valued above €100 million. At just 39 years combined age, the pair would offer Gasperini flexibility across the forward line: Mora as a creative, attacking midfielder and Endrick as a left-sided winger or centre-forward. Cafu and Wesley have both publicly endorsed Endrick's arrival. A decision is expected in the coming days.

Roma have tabled an offer for Rodrigo Mora, a winger at Porto, as they continue their search for wide attacking reinforcements, while remaining interested in Alessio Cacciamani of Torino. For Mora, Roma have proposed a loan with an option to buy, but Porto are holding out for a permanent sale. The Giallorossi have tendered €25M plus significant bonuses and a sell-on clause, though Porto's valuation stands at €45–50M. Galatasaray are also pursuing the player. Meanwhile, Roma are preparing a bumper offer for Cacciamani. Torino wish to retain him but may need to generate sales this summer. An earlier bid of €12M plus €3M in bonuses was lodged, and Roma are expected to increase their offer, though not substantially. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is known for developing young talent, though the club would prefer to land an established star who requires minimal adjustment. Separately, Lorenzo Pellegrini has agreed a one-year contract with an option after spending the summer as a free agent recovering from thigh surgery. Gasperini stated he would not be ready to play for at least a month. Like Paulo Dybala, Pellegrini reduced his wages to rejoin the club.

Wesley addressed the media during Roma's British pre-season tour following a heavy defeat to Brighton, offering a measured assessment of the club's preparations for the 2026-27 season. The Brazilian winger struck a pragmatic note about the loss, saying: "We come from a fantastic year, now we are working hard to face the new season and if there must be matches that go wrong or something happens that is wrong it is better that it happens in these pre-season friendlies. We must understand before the start of the championship what we are getting wrong and how to correct it. So there is nothing left but to improve and ensure that what we saw with Brighton does not happen when things become serious in a couple of weeks. I am sure that at the start we will be ready and stronger." When asked about a potential arrival of fellow Brazilian Endrick, Wesley acknowledged his interest while emphasising that recruitment decisions rest with the club hierarchy: "It is clear that I would like him to come, but these are decisions that do not belong to me. They belong to him, to the club. There are many Brazilian players who could come and help us, but these are decisions that belong to the sporting director." Wesley also praised the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini to the squad and expressed his anticipation ahead of Champions League football: "I am happy he has returned with us in the squad, he is a player who can give us a great hand. Champions? I do not know what it will be like to play it, for me it is the first time. The Libertadores is a very hard and difficult competition but I do not think it can come close to the Champions which for the players who participate in it is a sort of World Cup. I am very curious, I expect to play great matches and thus give so much happiness to all Roma fans."

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.

Roma are working to sign Tottenham left-back Udogie, an Italy international and former Verona and Udinese player, after he gave his availability to return to Italian football. The move is positioned as a reinforcement on the flanks following the departures of Angeliño, Çelik and Tsimikas from last season, with only Molina having arrived so far to fill that void. Negotiations are currently on hold, however, as Roma's director of football must resolve two preliminary tasks. The first is to complete a deal for winger Mora — expected to be Gasperini's next signing — from a London club asking around 30 million euros, which would free up funds to pursue Udogie. Fiorentina have also targeted the Tottenham player, but the club do not appear inclined to make an investment of that scale. Roma are more committed to the pursuit. Udogie was previously approached by Fiorentina through Paolo Paratici, the former Tottenham executive, and has indicated willingness to join. His agent, Emeka, is understood to be facilitating the move. The agent is keen to rehabilitate his reputation following what is characterised as poor handling of negotiations over Sancho last season.

Roma's pre-season tour of England ended in a heavy 3–0 defeat to Brighton. Goals from Georginio and a double from Ayari condemned the Giallorossi to a sluggish, listless performance that prompted immediate concern from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. "Terrible: a poor performance, lacking the right concentration. We're struggling to switch on, but we think we can fix it soon," Gasperini said after the match. The squad returns to Trigoria on Tuesday for group training, which will mark Nahuel Molina's first session with the team. Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury layoff extends beyond initial expectations, with Gasperini warning recovery will take at least a month and the matter will be reassessed in September. The coach also urged patience for players returning from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen among them—as Roma prepare for Serie A's start in a fortnight. On the transfer front, Gasperini confirmed changes to the squad. "We replaced Çelik with Molina and Dovbyk with Castro, then Koulierakis arrived. But numerically we still need something. D'Amico is negotiating very young but important players," he said, referencing director Tony D'Amico's ongoing dealings in the market.

Roma lost 3–0 to Brighton in a pre-season friendly at the American Express Stadium, their final test during their warm-weather camp in England. Goals from Rutter and Ayari in the first half, and a second from Ayari in the second, secured the home side's victory. Despite a decent opening 45 minutes, Roma's display deteriorated markedly after the interval. Gasperini fielded several academy players and made experimental changes, including replacing Çelik with Molina and Dovbyk with Castro. After the match, Gasperini addressed the media about the transfer market. He said: "If I do the count at the moment we are few. We have replaced Çelik with Molina. We have replaced Dovbyk with Castro, who I think will give us good satisfaction and for me it was a good operation. And then this boy (Koulierakis) arrived to complete the defence, and he seems interesting to me." The coach acknowledged further work remains: "If you count numerically it seems to me we still need something, but you know who to go for and how to close. There are good possibilities. D'Amico is searching and negotiating very young but also very important players. That is the indication." Lorenzo Pellegrini has signed a contract extension keeping him at Roma until June 2027. Roma announced the deal, describing Pellegrini—developed through the academy—as embodying the club's sporting vision and values. The squad returns to Trigoria before Roma's Serie A opener against Fiorentina on 24 August. Real Madrid's Endrick remains a target for the attacking midfield, with Gasperini viewing him as a priority to strengthen the forward line.