Gasperini sets transfer blueprint: Roma need four signings to compete in Champions League

Rodrigo Mora has become one of AS Roma's standout signings of the summer transfer window. Arriving for 25 million euros, the Portuguese midfielder marked his competitive debut with a goal in Roma's Serie A match against Lecce. In an interview with Sky Sport, Mora discussed the emotion of that opening goal and his working relationship with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Mora explained his decision to join the club: "I think Roma is a very prestigious club and the style of play it proposes is an additional reason why I chose to come here. Then having the opportunity to play Champions League football represents an important step for my life. Without question, Gasperini is a very demanding coach towards the squad and all the players." On scoring against Lecce, he reflected: "It was a very emotional moment. I like to score, and scoring my first goal for Roma was very important. Honestly I don't think about the number of goals I could score, but above all about helping the team with goals, assists and whatever is needed — that is the fundamental thing."

Roma are monitoring opportunities in the free-agent market to strengthen their squad, with a particular focus on defence and a former Inter player. According to reports, the club are interested in Matteo Darmian, who left Inter at the end of his contract and is currently without a club. In recent weeks there have been contacts between Roma and the 1989-born defender, who is willing to accept an annual contract on modest terms. For Roma, Darmian could represent an opportunity to complete the squad and provide head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with a player of considerable experience, reliability and tactical versatility.

Roma have opened contact with Matteo Darmian, the 1989-born defender who left Inter at the end of his contract on 30 June. According to Tuttomercatoweb.com, discussions between the club and the player have taken place in recent weeks, with Darmian receptive to a one-year deal on modest financial terms. For head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, the move would add experience and reliability to the squad during a season in which Roma compete on multiple fronts. Darmian's versatility across the defence and flanks would provide an additional alternative to the existing defensive options. A low-cost acquisition of this kind would allow Gasperini to strengthen his options without significant expenditure. No agreement has yet been finalised. The player is expected to make a decision on his future in the coming days, with proposals from Dubai also on the table. Roma are waiting to see which path Darmian chooses, but the free-agent option remains on the club's radar as a potential addition of proven quality to the defensive ranks.

Radio Roma commentators have weighed Roma's prospects ahead of the Champions League fixture against Inter, with widespread acknowledgement that Donyell Malen has become the team's most decisive attacking threat. The debate centred on whether Roma can sustain a title challenge without fresh recruitment, and how Santiago Castro's early impact shapes the club's forward planning. Piero Torri suggested Roma would have wrapped up the season had Greenwood and Moreira been signed, implying regret over unfinished transfer business. David Rossi stated: "We can play football without Malen. If someone came in with a serious bid—say 120 to 130 million—we could sell him this summer at 130 million and win the Scudetto." Fabio Petruzzi countered that Castro's presence provides preparation for Malen's potential departure: "You've already prepared for this eventuality with Castro behind him. He's not the same, but Castro is a serious striker." Petruzzi also raised concern over other managerial positions, mentioning Juric and Amorim as under pressure. Malen's output drew repeated emphasis: Gianluca Piacentini noted his 20 goals in 22 appearances as decisive form. Lorenzo Pes explained Gasperini's tendency to substitute Malen late in matches because "he gives everything on the pitch, participates totally in every action," and confirmed Castro comes off the bench in the final half-hour. Alessio Nardo stressed Roma needs goals beyond Malen: "If Roma wants to raise the level it must combine other goals from the attackers with Malen's." Roberto Pruzzo declared Roma's defence superior to Inter's and highlighted the twin attacking threat as "a guarantee," while Nando Orsi countered that Inter remains "overwhelmingly strong" and questioned whether Roma should be favoured: "They're level on points, both have suffered in two Champions League matches." Checco Oddo Casano observed that fitness coach D'Amico now works pitch-side alongside coach Gasperini, contrasting with last season when Ranieri and Massara watched from a raised terrace—a structural change he interpreted as reflecting the relationship between technical staff and management at the club. The fixture with Inter will provide the first substantive test of Roma's credentials at the top level this season.

Paulo Dybala has been invited by the Argentine Football Federation to attend a special celebration honouring Lionel Messi on 6 October, when Argentina face Benin in a friendly. The event will serve as a broader tribute to Messi's career, marking the end of his time with the national team. Dybala and Messi won the World Cup together in Qatar and shared years competing for the Albiceleste. Dybala's attendance remains uncertain, however, due to fixture congestion. Just five days after the Messi tribute on 6 October, Roma will travel to Como in a Serie A fixture. The club must balance player recovery time during the international break with the demands of the upcoming league match, leaving Dybala's departure for Argentina not yet confirmed. Defender Nahuel Molina is also listed among potential invitees to the celebration. Other Roma players called up by Argentina for the same window face a different situation: Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi have all been officially included in head coach Scaloni's squad list and will participate in the Argentina gathering as normal.

Paulo Dybala has been invited by the Argentine Football Federation to attend Lionel Messi's farewell match on 6 October, when Argentina face Benin. Dybala was not selected in the squad by coach Lionel Scaloni for the celebration, but has nonetheless received an invitation from the federation to say goodbye to the player alongside whom he won a World Cup and played numerous matches for the national team. Dybala's attendance remains uncertain, however, because Como play Roma just five days later. The fixture clash means the Giallorossi's forward may not be available for the international commitment. Other Roma players have clearer paths: Nahuel Molina may also attend, while Santiago Castro, Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi are all confirmed in Scaloni's squad and will feature in the fixture.

Roma and Inter will meet on the pitch this Saturday as the Serie A leaders, but behind the fixture lies a stark contrast in how their respective owners build and sustain their projects. Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma have invested €211 million in player acquisitions since his arrival, while Cristian Chivu's Inter have spent €186 million—a gap of €25 million that illustrates the Friedkin Group's commitment to backing the sporting project despite UEFA financial fair play constraints. By contrast, Inter's ownership under Oaktree has prioritised economic and financial stability. The €211 million Roma figure spans the campaigns that began with Gasperini's appointment. In the 2025–26 season, Roma spent €86.5 million, with Wesley arriving for €25 million and Neil El Aynaoui for €23 million, alongside Robinio Vaz (€20 million), Jan Ziółkowski (€6.5 million), and several expensive loans including Donyell Malen, Bailey, Evan Ferguson, Daniele Ghilardi and Zaragoza. The acceleration came this summer: the Friedkin Group approved €124.5 million for 2026–27, comprising Santiago Castro (€35 million), Rodrigo Mora (€25 million), Malen's permanent transfer (€25 million), Konstantinos Koulierakis (€16.5 million), Nahuel Molina (€13 million), Ghilardi's purchase (€8 million), Marten de Roon (€1 million) and Leonardo Balerdi's loan (€1 million). The Porto agreement for Mora includes a further €25 million for 2027 or 50 per cent of any future sale. The contrast deepens when examining the wider impact on club finances. Since summer 2025, Roma's squad costs—including salaries, depreciation and loan fees—have risen by approximately €15 million, while Inter's have fallen by approximately €10 million. The Friedkin Group has covered losses through fresh capital injections, accepting red accounts to sustain sporting growth; Roma has not closed a profitable financial year since their 2020 arrival, with 2025–26 expected to end in loss. Oaktree delivered a €35 million profit in its first Inter season and is preparing to close the next year in the black. Both approaches remain valid: Chivu inherited a structured squad already competing at the highest level, while Gasperini was tasked with rebuilding after Roma's seven-year absence from the Champions League. Saturday's direct clash will test both strategies on the pitch. One club has chosen acceleration to close the gap; the other is maintaining competitiveness while reducing the squad's economic burden.

As Roma and Inter prepare to meet this week, the two clubs' transfer philosophies have diverged sharply over the past two years. The Friedkin Group has committed €211m in investment across two seasons under Gian Piero Gasperini, while Inter's owners Oaktree have adopted a more cautious strategy, spending €186m under Cristian Chivu with an emphasis on youth development and financial stability. In Gasperini's first season at Roma (2025-26), the club invested €86.5m across the transfer window and January. Summer arrivals included Wesley (€25m) and El Aynaoui (€23m), followed by Robinio Vaz (€20m) in January and a costly loan deal for Donyell Malen (€2m). The squad was further bolstered by acquisitions and loans involving Ziolkowski, Bailey, Ferguson, Ghilardi and Zaragoza. The current 2026-27 campaign has seen Roma spend €124.5m, with major moves including the permanent purchase of Malen (€25m), Santiago Castro (€35m), Rodrigo Mora (€25m), Konstantinos Koulierakis (€16.5m), Nahuel Molina (€13m) and Marten de Roon (€1m), plus the redemption of Ghilardi (€8m) and the loan of Leonardo Balerdi (€1m). Over two years, these investments have increased the squad's salary and amortisation costs by approximately €15m. Inter's approach under Oaktree reflects cost containment and team development. During Chivu's first season they acquired younger talent including Luis Henrique (€24.5m), Bonny (€23m), Diouf (€20m) and Sucic (€15.5m), plus Akanji on loan (€1m), totalling €84m. The 2026-27 window has seen just €102m committed to signings, bringing cumulative Chivu-era spending to €186m. Unlike Roma, Inter has cut squad costs by approximately €10m over the same period, inheriting a competitive core that required less overhaul.

AS Roma have spent €211 million on transfers since Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival in summer 2025, significantly more than Inter's €186 million under Cristian Chivu over the same period. The spending patterns reflect differing philosophies between owner Friedkin, who readily invests in quality acquisitions, and Inter's ownership Oaktree, which has prioritised young prospects and financial stability. Gasperini received immediate backing from Friedkin in summer 2025 with two signings over €20 million each: Wesley for €25 million and Neil El Aynaoui for €23 million. That window also brought Ziolkowski for €6.5 million and loans including Bailey (€3m), Evan Ferguson (€3m), Ghilardi (€2m) and Zaragoza (€2m), totalling €86.5 million. The 2026-27 season saw heavier investment: Donyell Malen's loan made permanent for €25 million, Santiago Castro for €35 million, Rodrigo Mora for €25 million, Konstantinos Koulierakis for €16.5 million, and Nahuel Molina for €13 million. Ghilardi was bought out for €8 million, while Leonardo Balerdi joined on loan for €1 million. Marten de Roon arrived for €1 million, bringing the current season's total to €124.5 million. Inter's approach under Chivu has centred on younger profiles. Summer 2025 signings were Luis Henrique (€24.5 million), Bonny (€23 million), Diouf (€20 million) and Sucie (€15.5 million), plus Akanji on loan (€1 million) — €84 million total. This season added Provedel for €3 million, reaching €102 million. The comparison shows stark strategic differences: Roma's squad cost rose by approximately €15 million through wages, amortisation and loan fees since summer 2025, while Inter's squad cost fell by roughly €10 million over the same span, reflecting their contrasting investment and salary philosophies.

Angeliño, loaned to Deportivo La Coruña this summer with a buy option, made his first start in a year in the sixth matchday of Liga between Deportivo and Seville on 17 September 2026. The move brought no luck. After sitting on the bench for the opening four rounds, Angeliño was fielded in the starting XI but lasted only until the 60th minute, when he was sent off for a hard challenge on Miguel Sierra. The referee initially showed yellow but upgraded it to red after consulting the VAR. The dismissal came at the worst moment for Deportivo, who were already trailing 0–1 following Sierra's goal in the 52nd minute. Seville held on to win 0–1, leaving Angeliño's long-awaited return to competitive action marked by a straight red card.

Roma players out on loan delivered mixed results across a busy weekend of football, with Alessandro Romano continuing to impress in Serie A while others made their debuts for their temporary clubs. Romano played all 90 minutes as Cagliari defeated Atalanta 2–1 at Bergamo, and created a chance for Mendy early in the second half that was ruled out for marginal offside. The 20-year-old also fired from distance in the 15th minute, forcing a corner from Carnesecchi. Under coach Pisacane, Romano has become an established starter and is at Cagliari on a loan with an obligation to buy should certain sporting conditions be met. Neil El Aynaoui experienced a contrasting week at RB Leipzig. The Moroccan midfielder played the full match in the Bundesliga club's 4–1 Champions League defeat away at Como on Thursday, then returned to the starting XI in Bundesliga action on Sunday, playing 74 minutes in a 5–0 victory over Hamburg without scoring or assisting. He remains on loan with a right of redemption. Robinio Vaz made his Premier League debut for Hull City, entering at the 82nd minute in place of McBurnie during an away fixture at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Hull secured a 2–2 draw, and Vaz, born in 2007, now has his first minutes in English football under his belt. He too is on loan with a right of redemption. Other Roma loanees had quieter weekends. Mattia Mannini made his Benevento debut off the bench, replacing Siatounis in the 74th minute of a 3–1 win against Hellas Verona—his first appearance after being unused at Ascoli. Filippo Reale played 90 minutes at left centre-back in Carrarese's 1–0 home defeat to Catanzaro, the goal coming from Iemmello in the 83rd minute. Radoslaw Zelezny started in goal for Perugia away at Ravenna but saw his side lose 3–0 after being reduced to ten men when Kabashi was sent off late in the first half. He had kept a clean sheet in a win against Pineto the previous week. Luigi Cherubini sat unused on Benevento's bench in their 3–1 success, a reversal of his playing status from Ascoli. Angeliño made a second consecutive unused substitute appearance for Deportivo La Coruña in a 1–1 draw at Getafe. Marash Kumbulla returned to the squad list for Rayo Vallecano but did not play in a 4–1 defeat at Real Madrid's Bernabeu. Jan Ziolkowski remained unavailable with a foot problem that had already kept him out the week prior; Monza lost 3–2 to Lecce without him. Artem Dovbyk was held out of Bologna's trip to Napoli after sustaining a minor groin issue in the 91st minute of a prior victory; Bologna lost 1–0 at the Maradona, with manager Tedesco calling the precaution sensible rather than a serious injury. Anass Salah-Eddine is nearing a loan move to Panathinaikos; Roma has agreed terms and the winger has arrived in Athens for medicals, though an official announcement had not yet been published at the time of writing.

Roma's loanees across Italy and Europe made an impact on the weekend. Artem Dovbyk was the standout performer, coming off the bench in the 66th minute for Bologna against Sassuolo and scoring the equaliser in the 91st minute to secure a 2–2 draw and the Rossoblu's first point of the season. The Ukrainian striker's decisive finish came in an Emilia derby on loan with a right of redemption clause. Elsewhere, young goalkeeper Radoslaw Zelezny put in a strong performance for Perugia in their 2–1 victory over Pineto, playing all 90 minutes as the side's first-choice keeper. The 2006-born Zelezny was blameless for the goal conceded and made several crucial saves, including a high-quality intervention in the first half and a decisive stop in the second. He is on loan at the Umbrian club with an option and counter-option attached. Midfield prospect Alessandro Romano again started for Cagliari in Serie A, remaining on the pitch for the full 90 minutes as the Sardinians won 1–0 away at Lecce thanks to a Daniel Maldini goal in the 29th minute. Romano's loan includes an obligation to buy if certain sporting conditions are met. Neil El Aynaoui made an immediate first-team debut for RB Leipzig, starting in the away fixture against Werder Brema and playing until the 75th minute. However, Leipzig suffered a 3–1 defeat. The Moroccan midfielder's move is on loan with a right of redemption. Filippo Reale, a 2006-born defender, played the full 90 minutes for Carrarese on the flank in their 1–0 home loss to Empoli, conceding in the 74th minute; he is on loan with an option and counter-option in Roma's favour. Luigi Cherubini started in attack for Benevento in the first half at Ascoli before being substituted at the interval; Benevento were reduced to ten men in the 41st minute by Prisco's red card and lost 1–0 to a Brunori penalty in the closing stages. Cherubini's loan includes a right of option and obligation to buy. Mattia Mannini received his first call-up after joining Benevento on loan but remained unused from the bench in the same Ascoli defeat. Angeliño was an unused substitute as Deportivo La Coruña won 3–2 away at Villarreal in La Liga. Robinio Vaz was included in a Premier League squad for the first time after a late-market transfer to Hull City but did not feature in a 0–0 draw with Aston Villa. Jan Ziółkowski was unavailable for Monza's away trip to Parma—which ended 1–1—due to a plantar fascia problem requiring monitoring. Marash Kumbulla likewise missed Rayo Vallecano's 3–2 victory over Racing Santander as he continues to deal with a knee issue.