Gasperini wants two left-sided players as Roma awaits developments on Koné with Man United and Arsenal monitoring

Liverpool have emerged as the latest heavyweight club to express interest in Roma midfielder Manu Koné, according to journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic. Koné remained at Roma after a summer window in which Atlético Madrid made an approach and Chelsea made contact on the final day of the transfer market, though the latter were only described as "informational contacts" by Roma's sporting director D'Amico. Ornstein stated: "I think there is interest from the Reds for Koné at Roma, and they will have other options too. He was very close to Chelsea before they turned to Camara, and we'll see what position Roma find themselves in during the winter window. He has been examined very carefully by Manchester United and I think Liverpool like him." Despite the external attention, Koné remains focused on Roma and is regarded as one of the fundamental elements of Gasperini's squad.

Mason Greenwood will face Roma for the first time since a failed transfer pursuit, now wearing the Fenerbahçe colours in their Champions League clash in Istanbul. The English forward was a priority target for Gian Piero Gasperini during the summer transfer window, and the Roma coach recently acknowledged his disappointment at failing to complete the deal. Greenwood will instead pose a significant threat in what is Roma's opening European fixture of the season. The transfer saga has captured attention in Turkey ahead of the match. Turkish outlet Fanatik stoked anticipation by using Greenwood's connection to Roma, with the publication stating: "Greenwood will destroy Roma. After having refused them, now he will show his value." For Roma, the task now is to move past what happened in the summer market. Greenwood was identified as a key attacking reinforcement for Gasperini's squad, but the operation fell through and the player opted to join Fenerbahçe instead.

Jeremie Leweling has found himself sidelined at Stuttgart after a dramatic summer transfer saga with Roma that ultimately collapsed. The German forward has appeared only in the closing stages of matches against Bayern Munich and Cologne, totalling just 48 minutes on the pitch. Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeneß prefers attacking midfielders Undav and El Khannouss behind striker Pejcinovic, with Vagnoman occupying the right flank, leaving little room for Leweling in the team's setup. The player's summer proved chaotic. Roma and Stuttgart agreed a €35 million transfer fee, with both clubs satisfied by the deal—Stuttgart especially pleased to receive the revenue. Leweling repeatedly changed his mind, however: he committed to Roma, then reversed course, then reconsidered again, with a plane waiting to fly him to Italy before another change of heart. The indecision infuriated both clubs. Had the move succeeded, Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini had planned to deploy Leweling in a dual role that would have guaranteed regular playing time. Instead, Roma continue without him and perform well, Leweling sits unused at Stuttgart and faces criticism from local supporters. The failed transfer has left both parties worse off.

AS Roma's CEO Guido Galantic spoke ahead of the club's Champions League return on 10 September 2026, stressing the significance of competing in Europe again after seven years, particularly in the season leading to the club's centenary. Galantic addressed the club's summer transfer strategy, confirming that Roma did not sell any major players. "We must, like many clubs, seek a balance between sporting and economic equilibrium that allows us to field the most competitive squad possible while also respecting UEFA parameters, which is not easy," Galantic said. "I thank the ownership and also the players who renewed. Some like Dybala, Pellegrini, Cristante and Mancini took pay cuts to stay at Roma. We managed in the end to reduce the wage bill while increasing the quality of the squad." Galantic underlined that the Friedkin Group's commitment to the Champions League campaign was total, despite their characteristic restraint in public. "They are following us intensely," he explained. "Throughout the evening there will be exchanges of messages. They are excited. They are quiet, they have their own style, but they are really very, very involved also on an emotional level." The return to the continent's elite competition marks a watershed moment for the club under American ownership, coinciding with ambitious plans heading into Roma's centennial celebrations.

Roma return to the UEFA Champions League after a seven-year absence when they travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce on Thursday at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. It is their first meeting with the Turkish side, who qualified for the main draw after navigating a gruelling six-game process that included victories over Gornik Zabrze, Sturm Graz, and Lyon. Fenerbahce have added significant attacking reinforcements with the signings of Romelu Lukaku and Mason Greenwood, though ex-Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi must serve a red-card ban and Jayden Oosterwolde remains sidelined with an Achilles injury. Roma's domestic form has been outstanding. Gian Piero Gasperini's side began the Serie A season with consecutive 4-0 victories over Fiorentina and Lecce, before pulling off a stunning comeback to beat Atalanta 2-1 last Saturday. Despite generating 2.94 xG and making 39 attempts, Roma trailed 1-0 in the 89th minute before Mario Hermoso and Matías Soulé scored in quick succession to snatch victory. Donyell Malen has been prolific, hauling five goals in the first two Serie A rounds. The Giallorossi have now scored at least two goals in eight consecutive matches across all competitions, winning all of them. They are bidding to become the first Italian side to secure an away Champions League win over Turkish opposition since November 2005. Gasperini has a strong recent European pedigree, suffering just four defeats in his last 23 group or league-phase games in the Champions League (W10, D9), though Roma have won only one of their last six opening-day fixtures in Europe's top competition—a 5-1 rout of CSKA Moscow in 2014–15. Fenerbahce hold a worrying historical record against Italian opposition in the Champions League, having lost five of six matches (W1). However, they have been formidable at home, losing only five of their last 32 UEFA fixtures in Istanbul (W20, D7) and opening the scoring in four of their five home outings this season. Lorenzo Pellegrini is Roma's only notable absentee. Gasperini is expected to field the same starting XI that faced Atalanta, with Nahuel Molina anticipated to start at right wing ahead of Emanuele Lulli. The forecast is for a high-scoring draw, with both teams boasting significant firepower and a strong start to the season in front of goal.

Roma face Fenerbahce in the opening match of the Champions League league phase at 18:45 in Istanbul, marking their return to Europe's elite club competition after seven and a half years. The fixture promises intensity in an atmosphere the hosts say is completely sold out, with Fenerbahce's Turkish contingent including former Serie A stars Skriniar, Muldur, and Lukaku, who previously played for Roma, alongside Muriqi and Mason Greenwood, whom Gasperini pursued this summer. Fenerbahce are managing their own crisis: their coach Kartal faces the sack after a derby loss to Besiktas, and they are themselves back in the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. Roma must not be daunted, according to Gasperini, who stressed the need for confidence and tactical clarity in his pre-match press conference. The squad possesses genuine pedigree in this competition. Gasperini himself brings 34 European matches in the dugout—33 with Atalanta and one with Inter—having arrived in Rome after guiding Atalanta to Champions League qualification just weeks earlier. He reiterated yesterday: "It is a satisfaction to find the Champions League with Roma, it is a reason for greater gratification. In this competition you face top teams in their championship, with great players, who can change the inertia of a match at any moment." Key players carry substantial experience: Paulo Dybala has appeared 53 times at club level and scored 18 goals with 4 assists (all from his Juventus years); Marten de Roon has 43 Champions League appearances with Atalanta and 4 assists; Nahuel Molina has 37 matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, with 1 goal and 3 assists. Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso both have 31 appearances each from spells in the competition. Bryan Cristante, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Gollini have 13, 14, and 10 Champions League outings respectively. Eight players will make their debut in the competition: Mancini, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Lulli, Wesley, Koné, Pisilli, and Rodrigo Mora, and will wear UEFA debut patches.