Gasperini targets two more signings as Roma prepare for Fiorentina opener

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference at Trigoria two days before Roma's season opener against Fiorentina, addressing the squad's current state and the club's transfer strategy. The coach confirmed the squad remains incomplete, stating: "We still have two vacant slots for four players", but expressed satisfaction with the new arrivals and their commitment to the club. On young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini said: "He is a very young lad, but has already reached important levels. He is a very important investment for the society." Dybala and Soulé are in excellent condition, while Gasperini was emphatic about Manu Koné's future: "For me at Roma he is a fundamental player." On the broader challenge ahead, the coach said: "We start from zero every year" and stressed the priority of making a strong opening: "What we don't lack is the will to start strong immediately." Gasperini acknowledged the constraints of financial fair play, explaining that further signings will arrive only if they represent genuine added value to the squad. The club remains active in the transfer market as the window approaches its close. Left-back Jayden Oosterwolde is now close to joining Roma from Fenerbahce on a loan deal with a right of purchase set at €17–18 million, which can become an obligation under certain conditions. The negotiation is in an advanced stage as the club works to finalise the remaining details. Chelsea has closed the door on any exit for winger Jamie Gittens, refusing to consider the loan formula Roma requested. That pursuit therefore remains blocked. Away from the pitch, radio analyst Pugliese noted that the current leadership differs from last season's Massara–Ranieri administration, which had repeatedly stated a significant sale would be needed to respect UEFA's financial rules and avoid European competition exclusion. No major departure has occurred, raising the prospect of substantial fines and squad restrictions. Analyst Marcacci warned that sales of Neil El Aynaoui and Jan Ziółkowski would represent a significant financial benefit but a notable technical loss, particularly in El Aynaoui's case.

Porto manager Francesco Farioli has publicly backed Rodrigo Mora's €50 million transfer to Roma, describing it as the club's largest net income and one of the five most significant sales in Porto's history. Speaking ahead of Porto's match against Arouca, Farioli rejected claims that he had sidelined the 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder, countering accusations made by Mora's lawyer that the player had become his third choice. "I believe sincerely that it was a positive season," Farioli said of Mora's final campaign in Portugal. "He leaves the club as a champion. He leaves Porto with two other titles on the honours list and with an honest and correct relationship between me and him. Everything that has been said about me trying to push him out of the club is absolutely false. I believe I tried to help him according to my way of understanding and seeing football. I think today Rodrigo is a more complete player. He has the same talent he had 14 months ago, but today he is a squad player. I am absolutely certain that what he has learned this year will be very, very useful for his career, for his next chapter at Roma and wherever he goes to play." Farioli revealed that Mora did not feature in Porto's final match because the transfer was near completion, and that he had asked the midfielder to address the squad before that game. "His speech was exclusively about his love for FC Porto. Once again, he demonstrated that he is a very young player, but already equipped with leadership and the ability to take on certain responsibilities. His speech was fantastic: it helped us go out onto the pitch and win another match," Farioli explained. On the suggestion he had deprioritised Mora, Farioli produced detailed statistics: Mora played 1,946 minutes overall, compared to Gabri Veiga's 2,699; in the league, 1,177 for Mora versus 1,622 for Veiga. Both played similarly in Europe League—433 minutes for Mora and 442 for Veiga. Mora started 21 matches and came off the bench 23 times, while Veiga started 31 and was substituted 17 times. "When you have two players of the same level, you have to manage them," Farioli concluded.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has expressed confidence in Paulo Dybala ahead of the 2026–27 season, praising the Argentine forward's condition after a full pre-season without injury. Gasperini said: "I see him very strong and at the peak of his maturity." The coach also noted that Dybala's form last season showed the same determination he displays now, adding: "He did not suffer any injuries, but you always keep your fingers crossed." Dybala joined Roma on a free transfer from Juventus in July 2022 and remains central to Gasperini's plans. The coach expressed optimism about Dybala's prospects in the campaign ahead, stating: "He will have a great season." Gasperini's remarks came as Roma navigate their squad development, with the club having been forced to adjust transfer targets during the summer window.

Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference at Trigoria two days before Roma's season opener against Fiorentina, addressing the squad's current state and the club's transfer strategy. The coach confirmed the squad remains incomplete, stating: "We still have two vacant slots for four players", but expressed satisfaction with the new arrivals and their commitment to the club. On young midfielder Rodrigo Mora, Gasperini said: "He is a very young lad, but has already reached important levels. He is a very important investment for the society." Dybala and Soulé are in excellent condition, while Gasperini was emphatic about Manu Koné's future: "For me at Roma he is a fundamental player." On the broader challenge ahead, the coach said: "We start from zero every year" and stressed the priority of making a strong opening: "What we don't lack is the will to start strong immediately." Gasperini acknowledged the constraints of financial fair play, explaining that further signings will arrive only if they represent genuine added value to the squad. The club remains active in the transfer market as the window approaches its close. Left-back Jayden Oosterwolde is now close to joining Roma from Fenerbahce on a loan deal with a right of purchase set at €17–18 million, which can become an obligation under certain conditions. The negotiation is in an advanced stage as the club works to finalise the remaining details. Chelsea has closed the door on any exit for winger Jamie Gittens, refusing to consider the loan formula Roma requested. That pursuit therefore remains blocked. Away from the pitch, radio analyst Pugliese noted that the current leadership differs from last season's Massara–Ranieri administration, which had repeatedly stated a significant sale would be needed to respect UEFA's financial rules and avoid European competition exclusion. No major departure has occurred, raising the prospect of substantial fines and squad restrictions. Analyst Marcacci warned that sales of Neil El Aynaoui and Jan Ziółkowski would represent a significant financial benefit but a notable technical loss, particularly in El Aynaoui's case.

Roma's recruitment this summer has been solid without delivering the transformational signing head coach Gasperini believed would unlock scudetto ambitions. The club secured a Champions League return and approaches its centenary in a position of genuine hope, yet the window carries an air of incompleteness. Gasperini had nursed real title dreams and was convinced that one or two top-tier additions could lift Roma out of the dreamlike state that has gripped the club since 2001. Players such as Greenwood, Summerville, Nusa and Fofana were mooted—names that offered greater guarantees than the squad possessed—but none arrived. Roma instead finds itself in a crowded midfield battle alongside Como, Milan, Juventus and Atalanta, unable to close the gap with Inter and Milan. The squad is measurably stronger than last year's. The article cites positional switches: Castro replaces Dovbyk, Molina comes in for Çelik, and Mora arrives for Bailey. Gasperini acknowledged both D'Amico's serious work in the transfer market and the communication difficulties with the Friedkin ownership. Crucially, Roma held firm by not selling any major players, but equally failed to move on the fringe figures who might have opened the door to genuine transformation. The absence of a headline signing—the kind of arrival that might force police to station units at Rome's airports—leaves the club without that superhero figure to lean on during difficult moments. Gasperini knows the squad is not title-contenders material, perhaps not even Champions League material despite finishing third last season. The coach had hoped the previous miracle result might unlock previously blocked spending channels, constrained by UEFA regulations that have clouded Roma's waters for years. That reckoning will arrive in the coming months. Much depends on Paulo Dybala's form, on the promises Mora delivers and on Donyell Malen's consistency. Ten days remain before the season begins. Until then, the sense of wanting but being unable to act lingers unresolved.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has expressed confidence in Paulo Dybala ahead of the 2026–27 season, praising the Argentine forward's condition after a full pre-season without injury. Gasperini said: "I see him very strong and at the peak of his maturity." The coach also noted that Dybala's form last season showed the same determination he displays now, adding: "He did not suffer any injuries, but you always keep your fingers crossed." Dybala joined Roma on a free transfer from Juventus in July 2022 and remains central to Gasperini's plans. The coach expressed optimism about Dybala's prospects in the campaign ahead, stating: "He will have a great season." Gasperini's remarks came as Roma navigate their squad development, with the club having been forced to adjust transfer targets during the summer window.