Greenwood deal stalls as wage gap widens between Roma and Fenerbahçe

Gian Piero Gasperini held a press conference on 22 August ahead of Roma's opening Serie A match against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico in two days' time. The head coach confirmed that four new players have joined the club this summer: Molina, who won the World Cup and reached the final two months ago and can replace Ferguson; Castro, who reportedly travelled by train to join earlier; Koulierakis, a defender with characteristics the squad lacked; and Mora, a young forward. Gasperini said he remained very satisfied with the new arrivals, noting that "they all strongly wanted Roma, with Castro even leaving by train to arrive sooner." He confirmed that several players have departed—El Shaarawy, Venturino, Zaragoza, Angeliño and Tsimikas among them—and stated the club will reduce the squad while making it more competitive. The wage bill has been lowered by necessity, which Gasperini described as positive work by the club. Roma currently have 23 players registered, with two squad slots still available under UEFA rules, and Gasperini expressed hope of completing further business in the remaining ten days of the window. On Mora specifically, Gasperini said: "Mora is a very young lad who has already reached important numbers. Two years ago at Porto he reached ten goals. For the club it is a very important investment, especially in prospect—he has all the characteristics to emerge and do well." The coach acknowledged that investing in youth can be a necessary path, describing it as a positive element for the club's future.

Roma have made a formal approach for Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens on loan with an option to buy, according to Alfredo Pedulla. Gittens joined Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund for £48.5 million last summer but struggled in his first Premier League season, failing to score in 16 league appearances. He made just five top-flight starts in 2025–26, adding three more in the UEFA Champions League, with former manager Liam Rosenior showing limited faith in the English forward. His contract at Chelsea runs until 2032. Gasperini remains active in the transfer market for attacking reinforcements despite the recent completion of Rodrigo Mora's signing from Porto. The search intensifies because Matías Soulé could still depart Roma, with Milan reportedly pursuing the Argentine winger. Roma have already explored other targets this summer: their pursuit of Diego Moreira fell short, and they attempted to sign Gabriel Martinelli before Arsenal's asking price proved prohibitive. Chelsea may be willing to allow Gittens to move on loan in order for him to gain regular playing time, though they will not accept a nominal fee. Gittens impressed during his final season at Dortmund before his big-money move to England. A transfer to Roma could provide him with the platform to rediscover that form while giving Gasperini another attacking option on the wing.

Gasperini is pursuing Oosterwolde as a defensive upgrade with rare positional flexibility. The 25-year-old can operate as a left-back across the full width of the pitch, as a centre-back in a three-man defence, or push forward on the left flank — a true utility player willing to play wherever needed. Standing 1.89 metres tall with pace and physical presence, he is difficult to beat and dangerous in transition, precisely the profile Gasperini seeks in his players. Oosterwolde is regarded as a superior version of Roma's Çelik with the same versatility but greater quality overall. His injury record appears clean: a cruciate ligament injury two years ago remains his only significant setback, and he has otherwise maintained consistent availability without long absences from play. At 25, he has the scope to develop further under Gasperini's coaching. Roma await his arrival.

Gasperini is pursuing Oosterwolde as a defensive upgrade with rare positional flexibility. The 25-year-old can operate as a left-back across the full width of the pitch, as a centre-back in a three-man defence, or push forward on the left flank — a true utility player willing to play wherever needed. Standing 1.89 metres tall with pace and physical presence, he is difficult to beat and dangerous in transition, precisely the profile Gasperini seeks in his players. Oosterwolde is regarded as a superior version of Roma's Çelik with the same versatility but greater quality overall. His injury record appears clean: a cruciate ligament injury two years ago remains his only significant setback, and he has otherwise maintained consistent availability without long absences from play. At 25, he has the scope to develop further under Gasperini's coaching. Roma await his arrival.

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.

Roma begin the new season buoyed by their return to the Champions League after seven years and the consolidation of Gian Piero Gasperini's leadership. The mood at Trigoria is markedly calmer than twelve months ago, with a deeper and more complete squad aligned to Gasperini's tactical vision. Despite missing some primary attacking targets, sporting director Tony D'Amico has strengthened the team across all departments. Nahuel Molina represents a significant upgrade on the right flank following Zeki Çelik's departure, Santiago Castro arrives to complete the attack alongside Donyell Malen, Konstantinos Koulierakis extends central defensive rotation, and nineteen-year-old Rodrigo Mora raises the overall technical quality of the team's play. Paulo Dybala remains the decisive element. The Argentine, following a season finale that carried Roma to third place and earned him a contract renewal, continues to serve as the tactical and emotional focal point of the squad.

Roma has welcomed numerous players through the summer transfer window over the past six seasons, each making their competitive debut in the opening fixture of the Serie A season. The club's acquisition strategy has brought in attacking talent including Artem Dovbyk and Matías Soulé, alongside established figures like Paulo Dybala, who have all been tasked with delivering immediate impact from their first matches in giallorossi colours. The article traces the pattern of how Roma's recruitment has introduced fresh faces to the squad ahead of each campaign's opening weekend, examining the debuts and early performances of these summer arrivals as they integrate into Gasperini's setup.

Matías Soulé is under pressure to secure his place in Gian Piero Gasperini's lineup for Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with fellow Argentine Rodrigo Mora having impressed in early training sessions at Trigoria. The 2003-born forward is competing for a role in the attacking three behind the Dybala-Malen pairing, though Gasperini's system remains flexible enough to deploy a dual attacking midfielder setup. Soulé has shed excess weight recorded during a mid-July training camp and regained optimal fitness, though he is still refining the movements required by his manager's tactical approach. Transfer speculation has intensified in the final days of the summer window, with AC Milan reportedly considering a move, but Roma have received no concrete offers and a departure appears unlikely at present. The player himself has shown no desire to leave, according to reports, and the prospect of a fresh start under Gasperini combined with the presence of fellow Argentine teammates is driving his commitment to establish himself as a key figure in the Giallorossi project.

Matías Soulé is fighting for a starting place in Roma's opening Serie A match against Fiorentina on 24 August, with competition from Rodrigo Mora for the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Mora has impressed the coaching staff in early training and is challenging Soulé for the position, which does not perfectly suit the Argentine's playing style but which he must learn to interpret effectively. Soulé has regained fitness during pre-season after arriving at Trigoria carrying extra weight in mid-July, and his enthusiasm has been boosted by the arrival of two other Argentine players. However, transfer speculation has continued to shadow the final weeks of the summer window. Milan have been linked with a move, though no concrete offers have materialised and a departure appears unlikely at this stage. Soulé does not wish to leave the club and remains motivated to carve out his role in Gasperini's squad.

Donyell Malen has set his sights on the Serie A capocannoniere award after a prolific run of 14 goals in 18 matches last season, averaging 0.85 goals per game and scoring the decisive goal at Verona that secured Champions League qualification. The Dutch forward is now targeting the crown held by reigning champion Lautaro Martinez. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is designing a tactical framework to sustain Malen's elite scoring rate from the opening fixture against Fiorentina. At that match, Malen will operate as the central striker with a three-man attacking support behind him led by Paulo Dybala, alongside either Rodrigo Mora or Matías Soulé, as the club awaits the full recovery of Lorenzo Pellegrini. Gasperini is also considering a 4-2-3-1 formation later in the season that would deploy Dybala, Mora and Castro simultaneously as attacking midfielders in support of Malen alone, creating what the coach sees as one of Serie A's most explosive attacking combinations.

Donyell Malen has emerged as a serious contender for the Serie A Golden Boot following an extraordinary six-month spell at Roma. The Dutch forward scored 14 goals in 18 matches last season, averaging 0.85 per game, and has set his sights on dethroning reigning capocannoniere Lautaro Martinez, who finished with 17 goals in 30 games. Malen's impact has fundamentally reshaped Roma's attacking balance since arriving, culminating in the club's Champions League qualification secured at the end of May in Verona, where his 14th goal of the campaign proved decisive. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing to give Malen the supply lines he needs for a title assault next season. Against Fiorentina, Roma will field their strongest attacking midfield setup, with options including Paulo Dybala and Rodrigo Mora, or Matías Soulé, while awaiting Lorenzo Pellegrini's return. Gasperini is also considering deploying an unconventional 4-2-3-1 formation with three attacking midfielders—Dybala, Mora and Castro—operating behind the striker, giving Malen optimal service as he aims to become Serie A's leading scorer.

Wesley has returned to full training and will start at left-back in Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico (20:45), after recovering from an ankle injury that disrupted his summer preparation. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley and Molina on the wings, and Dybala and Malen leading the attack. The main tactical question concerns the number 10 position: Gasperini is tempted to deploy Rodrigo Mora's pure talent from the start, but faces a dilemma. Launching Mora could risk losing defensive balance and midfield cover; instead, Gasperini appears inclined toward a more cautious approach, pairing either Pisilli or El Aynaoui alongside Koné in midfield, with Cristante advanced to the number 10 role to provide substance, runs, and physical presence. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation after knee surgery, while young Bah has successfully undergone right-knee surgery.