Gasperini's left-wing shortlist: Summerville, Paixão and Tzolis under consideration; Alejbegovic ruled out

Crysencio Summerville endured a difficult start at Al-Hilal after missing a penalty with a chip that sailed high. The Dutch winger, who was closely tracked by Roma during the summer transfer window before accepting the Saudi Pro League offer, saw his error circulate widely on social media despite the goal not costing his team the three points under manager Simone Inzaghi. Roma supporters have largely moved past Summerville's decision to reject the club, with fans taking to social media to mock the miss. Among those sharing commentary was Damiano David, the well-known Roma supporter and musician, who posted: "Quanto ce dispiace" (roughly "how much that hurts us"). The incident appears to have helped the Giallorossi fanbase digest the Dutchman's refusal of their advances.

Jan Ziółkowski has attracted interest from Saudi Arabian club Neom, with Roma valuing the centre-back at approximately €20 million. The Polish defender found limited playing time last season and has not fully convinced head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, prompting the Giallorossi to consider offers for him. Several clubs from Saudi Arabia have already expressed interest in the 2005-born player. Gasperini would prefer to retain Ziółkowski over Daniele Ghilardi, but the Polish defender has a stronger market appeal due to his age, room for growth, and current involvement with the Polish national team. Roma's €20 million valuation also reflects a 10 per cent sell-on clause owed to Legia Warszawa from any future sale. Should Ziółkowski depart, Roma would be forced to pursue another central defender, likely targeting a loan arrangement with an option to buy rather than a permanent signing.

Roma's transfer window has entered its most intense phase as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini seeks two additional reinforcements to complete his squad: another full-back and a left winger. The club is working on deals for Luis Henrique and Fofana, but negotiations remain complicated. With Luis Henrique requiring agreement to be reached with Inter over the formula and the player himself, and the Fofana operation from Lyon deemed excessively costly and stalled, Roma is now considering loan options to bolster those positions. Chelsea winger Bynoe-Gittens has re-emerged as a target. The left-winger had a disappointing 2025–26 season in the Premier League after Chelsea paid 60 million euros to sign him from Borussia Dortmund. Roma could only bring him to the club on a temporary basis, potentially with an option to buy, rather than a permanent transfer.

Rodrigo Mora's arrival at Roma is a calculated strategic addition that aligns with Gasperini's established attacking philosophy rather than a departure from it, according to tactical analysis. The Portuguese playmaker, who has generated discussion outside the club's training ground since June, complements rather than overturns the head coach's original plan. Gasperini has consistently sought two different profiles on the left wing in a 3-4-2-1 formation: a more technical player like Mora, and a dynamic runner such as Fofana, who remains a candidate to complete the attack overhaul. Gasperini deployed the 3-4-2-1 throughout the 2025–26 season, using Lorenzo Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder and playmaker rather than a winger. When he needed different characteristics, he rotated players including Venturino, Zaragoza, Baldanzi, Pisilli and El Shaarawy. The trequartista role is integral to his system regardless of Mora's signing, confirming that Roma's attacking architecture has not shifted. Roma's first three league fixtures—against Fiorentina, Lecce and Atalanta—all deploy a back four, matches in which Mora's profile will prove immediately useful behind the striker pairing. Gasperini used the 3-4-1-2 formation in four of five recent pre-season friendlies, fielding Soulé as trequartista three times and Cristante once. Roma's opening match comes Monday evening against Fiorentina at the Olimpico.

Paulo Dybala has consolidated his status as Roma's cornerstone player despite an injury-depleted forward line under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club initially weighed the possibility of parting with the Argentine at the end of his contract, mindful of his €8 million net annual salary in the 2025–26 season and the 21 matches he missed due to physical problems. However, a contract extension through 2027, confirmed on 13 July, resolved all doubts. Dybala accepted a 70% salary reduction to remain in giallorosso colours, demonstrating his deep attachment to the club. With Stephan El Shaarawy departing on a free transfer, Lorenzo Venturino and Bryan Zaragoza returning to their parent clubs, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined by injury, Dybala and Matías Soulé carry almost the entire responsibility for the attacking midfield role. His experience proves invaluable ahead of Roma's European campaign: Dybala's 53 Champions League appearances make him the squad's most seasoned European player, ahead of Nahuel Molina (37 appearances), Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso (31 each). Against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly on 15 August at 17:30, Dybala is set once again to lead the team on the pitch, confirming his status as both a technical and commercial pillar of the club.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma since arriving at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre on Wednesday, impressing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini enough to earn consideration for a starting place in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini is expected to deploy his customary 3-4-1-2 formation for the league debut, with three attacking midfielders operating behind the front pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé remains the favourite for the trequartista role, but Mora has risen sharply in the pecking order after impressing in initial training sessions. Bryan Cristante offers an alternative and defensive balance, though the ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, combined with Niccolò Pisilli's gradual return, may push Cristante back into midfield proper. The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with the visiting supporters' section now open to Fiorentina fans.

Gian Piero Gasperini begins his second season at Roma with renewed momentum after the club secured third place last season and a return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years. The transfer window has reshaped the squad with reinforcements across multiple positions, though primary targets Mason Greenwood and Summerville eluded the club. Roma's summer business has produced a deeper, more complete squad better aligned with Gasperini's tactical vision. Molina arrived to offset the loss of Çelik and represents an upgrade; Castro will support Donyell Malen as an alternative; Koulierakis extends defensive rotation; and Rodrigo Mora has captured attention. No significant departures have materialised — unusual given financial fair play constraints — which Gasperini welcomes as Roma shapes up for the coming campaign. Paulo Dybala remains pivotal to the club's balance, though physical uncertainties surround his availability. The transfer market investment has been substantial across three figures, and the absence of standout exits leaves the side well-resourced heading into a season built on Champions League ambitions.