Gasperini targets another Malen-type forward after Champions League push

Roma are working on a move for Endrick as they strengthen their attack, positioning themselves well in the race for the Brazilian forward. The club has been operating behind the scenes on the operation for several weeks. However, much depends on the player's willingness. Endrick arrived at Real Madrid's pre-season retreat determined to fight for his place under Mourinho despite competition in the attacking department. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, his entourage is pushing for a new loan experience away from the Bernabéu, particularly given his positive spell at Lyon and precedents such as Nico Paz. Endrick himself is not yet convinced about leaving Madrid, a situation that works against Roma's pursuit. The competition for his signature is intense, but sporting director D'Amico continues working to position Roma at the front of the queue should a loan opportunity open up. Gasperini and the club regard Endrick as the ideal profile for his characteristics, age, and quality already demonstrated at the highest level.

Roma are pursuing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born left winger from Porto, as they search for the final piece of their summer transfer puzzle. Director Tony D'Amico has targeted the technically gifted Mora after failed approaches for Greenwood and Summerville, plus wider interest in Nusa and Fofana. Roma have roughly two weeks to complete the deal before their Serie A season opens against Fiorentina. Mora, at 168 centimetres tall, uses his low centre of gravity to excel in tight spaces and in the final third. His former Porto coach praised his ability to play between the lines and his willingness to work hard in defence: "Rodrigo is a player who excels in playing between the lines, in the final pass and in dribbling in the opponent's half. He is a brave young man, who does not feel the weight of playing at such a high level. He works hard always and accepts the responsibility of sacrificing himself in the defensive phase when we do not have the ball." Naturally a number ten, Mora can operate across multiple attacking roles on either flank. D'Amico aims to wrap up the transfer quickly to give Gasperini the attacking winger the club has pursued for a year. Mora represents a prospect with significant growth potential rather than a finished product, offering what Roma see as a strong technical and financial investment for the future.

Roma will launch a new bid for left-back Alessio Cacciamani in the coming days after Torino's initial resistance to his departure has begun to ease. The Giallorossi have been working on the deal for several days and have already seen a €13 million offer rejected, with Torino demanding at least €20 million. Sporting director D'Amico is preparing to increase Roma's bid to accelerate a move before the season begins, with head coach Gasperini keen to strengthen the squad in that position. Torino's technical director Gianluca Petrachi acknowledged the possibility of Cacciamani's departure, stating: "We would like to continue with lads like him, but we also have to reckon with a market that sometimes presents absurd prices, mad ones, that you simply cannot take into account." However, Petrachi added that the club remains committed to retaining the player, saying: "Our intention is to keep him." Despite Torino president Cairo's public position, Petrachi's comments suggest there is room for negotiation. Gasperini and D'Amico are hopeful the fresh offer will finally break Torino's resistance and bring Cacciamani to the Olimpico.

Roma's English pre-season tour ended in concern after a 3–0 defeat at Brighton laid bare significant defensive lapses and attacking impotence. The performance revealed delays both in physical conditioning and the absorption of tactical patterns, leaving Roma having conceded 11 goals across their last four friendly outings. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini expressed open frustration on the touchline, demanding greater midfield screening and emphasising the urgent need to activate the team's intensity. The match highlighted glaring defensive oversights and minimal cutting edge up front. Devyne Rensch came under constant pressure on the counter-attack from Yankuba Minteh, while Mario Hermoso had an off day in marking Georginio Rutter. Donyell Malen showed signs of being short of match fitness. The attacking partnership of Santiago Castro and Paulo Dybala made little impression on goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. With two weeks remaining before Roma's competitive league debut, Gasperini will have crucial time to accelerate both recruitment and work at Trigoria to correct these problems.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini expressed sharp disappointment with Roma's display in a friendly against Brighton on 8 August, conceding three goals and struggling to build momentum ahead of the new season. The defeat extended Roma's poor run to eleven goals conceded in their last four outings. Gasperini said: "It was a very bad match, without doubt. We put in a poor performance. The feeling I have is that we are struggling to switch on." The coach's frustration extended beyond the pitch to the club's transfer activity. With the squad lacking numerical depth, Gasperini acknowledged Roma are unable to accelerate their transfer business at the pace he had hoped. He stated: "I thought we would be further ahead. We cannot do the market because we have too few players... Numerically it seems to me there is still a need for something. On who to target and how to close we will see. Possible departures? Ask the CEO." Defensive vulnerabilities have become a recurring concern, with Svilar and the entire back line appearing exposed when pressed at speed. Forward Donyell Malen showed signs of being out of condition and overweight. Gasperini's comments underline the urgency Roma face in both the transfer market and regaining the collective shape and understanding that underpinned their previous campaigns.