Greenwood Deal Stalls: Roma Eyes Ndoye, Leweling and Antony as Alternatives

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.

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.