Greenwood deal edges closer as Fenerbahçe withdraws; Diaz emerges as alternative

Leonardo Balerdi was the standout performer on Saturday 24 October, when he scored twice in Roma's clash with Napoli at the Maradona and also secured a decisive point for the Giallorossi. His teammates left plenty of praise under his post on social media, but the most heartfelt message came from his partner, Giulia Ciancio, who wrote: "Vederti felice è la mia gioia. Vamos siempre amore." Balerdi's situation at the club is also in focus. His purchase option, or riscatto, is not in question at present. The deal is structured so that the obligation to buy becomes mandatory if the defender, born in 1999, plays at least 55% of the season's matches across all competitions, with at least 45 minutes on the pitch in each. The obligation would then be set at the same figure as the option. A variable mechanism has also been agreed. If Balerdi plays between 40% and 55% of the matches, the obligation is fixed at €11 million. A final clause protects Marseille from any attempt to keep the player out of the team to secure a discount: just 20% of matches played in the second half of the season would trigger the obligation at €9 million.

Roma have stepped up their interest in Olympiacos centre-back Lorenzo Pirola, sending scouts to Greece to assess the Italian defender up close, according to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur. Roma representatives reportedly attended several Olympiacos matches at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, including the derby on 11 October against Panathinaikos, which Olympiacos won 1-0 and in which Pirola played the entire match. The Giallorossi are said to be following the 24-year-old's development with the next transfer windows in mind. Pirola is a left-sided centre-back who came through the Inter youth sector and has already featured in Serie A for Salernitana. He moved to Olympiacos in the summer of 2024 and has since extended his contract until June 2028. Described as a young player with solid international experience, he could, given his technical qualities, be an interesting option for the defence of Gian Piero Gasperini. The interest is not new. Konur first reported Roma's interest in Pirola in December 2025, when he said the Greek club were then asking more than 15 million euros to open negotiations. The latest update suggests the monitoring has not stopped, although no official offers or negotiations have been reported so far. Source: Ekrem Konur (X).

Roma have a concrete chance of signing Real Madrid forward Endrick in January, according to transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, who spoke on Radio MARCA. Moretto said: "Roma and Milan are very interested. Above all Roma, it is a real possibility for January." The key issue is the playing time José Mourinho will give Endrick in the coming weeks. Despite the Portuguese coach's stated wish to keep him, the striker's future at Madrid is far from guaranteed. The Brazilian continues to find little space in the side and, if nothing changes, a loan move in the winter window could become a concrete option. Roma had already tried to bring Endrick to the capital during the summer and had reopened contacts for the player in recent weeks. Milan remain a significant rival, but Moretto believes the Giallorossi represent a particularly concrete lead. Much will depend on Mourinho's choices and on how much space the 20-year-old can carve out for himself between now and January.

Matías Soulé has been one of Roma's standout performers, and former midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini has praised the Argentine forward after his goal against Napoli. Soulé scored Roma's third goal of the season in the match, drawing compliments from across the club and beyond. Giaccherini, speaking on Dazn, said Soulé is at the peak of his powers and described him as the technical driving force of the team. Roma's play was carried by Soulé as Malen had a below-par game, according to Giaccherini's assessment. Soulé has already contributed goals, assists and key touches this season. "He's in his prime, he's the technical leader of this team. Malen didn't have a great game and he carried the team. The goal is crazy, for the speed of his feet and legs it reminds me of Messi's goals. He asks for the one-two and there's very little time between the first touch and the shot." Soulé is eager to keep his form going and is ready for Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is expected to start in attack alongside Malen and Mora. Dybala returns to the matchday squad.

Matías Soulé was the standout performer as Roma beat Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, scoring his third Serie A goal of the season. The Argentine forward carried the side on his shoulders, and the strike is considered one of the finest he has scored since joining the club. Soulé scored the same number of league goals at this stage last season, but this season he looks like a different player: more of a leader, and not missing Paulo Dybala's absence. Sofascore's data underline his all-round display: four key passes, an 88% pass completion rate, eight duels won, four successful dribbles and the same number of ball recoveries. He was valuable both in attack and in defensive work. This summer Soulé came close to leaving the club. Arab clubs knocked on the door, but he never wanted to leave Roma and chose to stay in football's biggest arena. It is an understandable decision for a 23-year-old. Next up is Tuesday's match against Cagliari, where he is again expected to lead the line. Dybala is improving and will be called up, but he is expected to return from the first minute against Udinese. Soulé is ready to lead the attack alongside Donyell Malen. The groin problem (pubalgia) that held him back last year is no longer an issue, and he has also earned a place in the Argentina national team.

Paulo Dybala trained partially with the squad at Trigoria this morning, a strong sign that he is close to full recovery from the calf muscle injury that kept him out of the matches against Genoa, Slovan Bratislava and Napoli. Gian Piero Gasperini will be pleased with the test, and Dybala is aiming to be available at least on the bench for Tuesday evening's clash with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. There was also positive news on Mile Svilar, who could be back in time for Roma's Champions League trip to Manchester United on 3 November. The double boost comes as Roma look to strengthen their squad ahead of a busy stretch of fixtures. Dybala's return would give Gasperini an important attacking option for the home game against Cagliari, while Svilar's availability for the trip to Old Trafford would be a welcome boost in goal for the Champions League fixture.

Gian Piero Gasperini will face the media on Tuesday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's home match against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico. The head coach is returning to press conferences after missing the one held on the eve of the trip to Maradona, where Roma drew with Napoli. Roma are back in action straight after that draw with Napoli, and the Cagliari fixture comes quickly. Paulo Dybala is in good spirits after training partially with the group today. Manu Koné, Mile Svilar and Lorenzo Pellegrini are ruled out. Rodrigo Mora could be handed a place in the starting line-up, expected to play behind Donyell Malen in a partnership with Matías Soulé.

Roma secured a draw at Napoli's Stadio Diego Armando, the Maradona, thanks to a comeback driven by their Argentine players. All three of Roma's goals came from Argentines: Matías Soulé and Leonardo Balerdi, who scored a brilliant brace. Gasperini has had little success against Allegri, and the head-to-head record offered little hope before kick-off, with the two most experienced coaches in Serie A facing each other. Gasperini avoided defeat through his substitutions, the team's response and the fierce determination of the Argentines. Roma remain unbeaten in Serie A. Balerdi came on in the second half alongside Castro and Molina to add fresh impetus. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini were both injured and missing. Roma struggled early on to press with their usual aggression in midfield, and in the first half a magnificent bicycle kick from Anguissa upset the coach's tactical plans. At the start of the second half, the familiar dip in intensity allowed Napoli to double their lead quickly, and Roma also showed too many errors in build-up play. Without Dybala, Pellegrini, Koné and Svilar, the side lacked dynamism and creativity. Soulé was the only one regularly looking for Malen, who was often far from the area and struggled through the tight lines of the Napoli defence. Guido D'Ubaldo noted that this squad needs a few more players and a longer bench to provide constant alternatives, particularly in attack. Despite the difficulties, and a Napoli side that were struggling in the league but remained tough opponents, the response after the break was that of a great team. Roma scored two goals in four minutes, and then Balerdi struck the decisive goal two minutes from time. The draw, coming after results against Inter and Como, keeps Roma firmly close to the top of the table. It shows that, with the anger and quality of the Argentines, the path the club has taken is the right one.

Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken to Dazn ahead of Roma's match against Napoli, praising Bryan Cristante's return as an important boost for the squad. Roma have lost Lorenzo Pellegrini, but Gasperini says Cristante's value to the team is significant. Gasperini described the fixture as a match between sides of quality, adding: "Napoli-Roma is a match between teams of quality. They are two of the best in the league, it is an important game." Cristante is a key return, and the coach explained the reasoning behind his impact on the side. Gasperini said: "Yes, because in that area we have often played with the same men. His value is important. It makes the team more versatile, we can play him in the deeper midfield role. It gives us the chance to have variations." Asked how much the match could shape the season, he said: "It is difficult to say now, but if we win today it is a further step in awareness. It would be a great boost."

Roma came from behind to draw 3-3 at Napoli's Maradona stadium, their third consecutive draw in a big Serie A match after a goalless game at Como. Leonardo Balerdi, who came off the bench, scored a brace, while Matías Soulé was the standout performer in attack. The evening began badly for Roma, but the team refused to give up and fought back to level the match. Italian newspapers gave Soulé between 7 and 8 out of 10, and Balerdi between 7.5 and 8. Evan Ndicka was the only member of the starting defence to come out with credit, rated 6 to 7. Gollini earned 6 to 7, Cristante 6 to 7, and de Roon 5.5 to 6.5. Malen was below par and was rated between 5 and 6. Hermoso's marks ranged from 4.5 to 6.5. Wesley was rated between 5 and 6.5, and Mancini between 5.5 and 6. Gasperini was given between 6.5 and 7 for his handling of the game. Roma made several changes during the match. At the 58th minute, Balerdi replaced Hermoso, Molina came on for Rensch, and Castro replaced Pisilli. Ghilardi entered for Mancini in the 83rd minute, and Mora came on for Malen at the same point. Molina was rated 6 to 6.5, Castro between 5 and 6.5, and Balerdi, as a substitute, was rated 7.5 to 8.

Roma came from behind to draw at Napoli's Stadio Maradona, with Balerdi scoring a brace off the bench to rescue a point in a match that began badly for the Giallorossi. It is the third draw in three big league matches for Roma, following a goalless draw at Como. Malen was absent from the lineup, and Soulé lit up the comeback. The Italian newspapers rated the performances. Soulé was the standout performer, earning 7.5 from La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport, 7 from La Repubblica and Il Corriere della Sera, and 8 from Il Tempo. Balerdi, who came on for Hermoso at half-time, was the match-winner from the bench, rated 8 by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero and Il Tempo, and 7.5 by Il Corriere della Sera. Ndicka was the only starting defender to earn consistent praise, rated 7 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport. Gasperini received a 7 from La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport, and 6.5 from Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, Il Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo. Gollini was rated 6.5 by most outlets and 7 by La Repubblica. Cristante earned a 7 from Il Messaggero and 6.5 from Il Tempo. Molina came on for Rensch at half-time and was rated 6.5 by La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Tempo, and 6 by La Repubblica and Il Corriere della Sera. Castro, who replaced Pisilli, was rated 6.5 by Il Corriere dello Sport and 6 by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere della Sera and Il Tempo. Malen was rated between 5 and 6 across the papers. Mancini and Wesley received mixed marks, while Mora and Ghilardi came on late without ratings. The ratings show the sharpest debate over the central defensive and attacking performers, with Balerdi's impact from the bench the most discussed. The papers agree that Roma's fight in the second half changed the match.

Roma goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini was at the heart of a wild 3-3 draw at Napoli, with a number of the goals passing through his hands. Napoli-Roma finished 3-3 at the Maradona, and the points Roma gained, or the two they lost, were decided largely by their goalkeeper. Before this match, Gollini had kept a clean sheet in Serie A, but his unbeaten run ended in the 28th minute when Anguissa scored with an overhead kick. The shot was not especially difficult, but Gollini saw the ball only at the last moment. The move began with a free kick won by a mistake from the keeper himself: his long clearance to Cristante was overhit, and the midfielder accelerated and fouled De Bruyne. After Napoli took the lead, Gollini recovered and kept Roma in the game. He saved with a sharp reaction to deny Olivera from close range, and later came off his line, outside the area, to stop De Bruyne. His teammates then fought back from 2-0 to 2-2, but Napoli regained the lead through McTominay. The goal surprised Gollini in particular, as a precise but not particularly fast effort from 25 metres went in at his near post.