Hermoso leads Roma charge ahead of Verona clash

Matías Soulé made his Argentina debut on 3 October 2026 alongside Santiago Castro, a milestone that has drawn unwanted attention from Fabián Berlanga, president of Velez Sarsfield, the club where Soulé grew up before leaving for Juventus at age 16. Berlanga has called for severe sanctions against the Roma forward, saying: "Soulé as Argentina's new number 10 after Messi? No, he should instead face an exemplary punishment. For example, permanent exclusion from the possibility of ever wearing that shirt number, or from wearing the captain's armband. He is not a good example. We don't like when young players leave on a free transfer, but we know it's a battle to fight against agents, who sometimes act in bad faith." The animosity stems from 2019, when Soulé, then a teenager, exploited a legal provision for underage footballers to break his Velez contract and depart on a free transfer. Berlanga's grievance centres on how the player, his family and his representatives used the regulation to circumvent the club's interests. The comments represent a reopening of old tensions surrounding Soulé's youth-level exit from Argentina.

Roma and AC Milan are locked in a contest to sign Real Madrid forward Endrick in January, with the 19-year-old Brazilian having previously agreed terms with the Giallorossi in the summer before the deal collapsed. Sporting Director D'Amico and head coach Gasperini have not abandoned their pursuit and are preparing a fresh attempt. Milan, however, hold a significant advantage: the club has a partnership with Roc Nation, the agency representing Endrick's interests, since 2020—a relationship that has continued under current president Gerry Cardinale. Milan also brokered an agreement with Endrick over the summer before José Mourinho blocked a proposed loan move. Endrick has struggled for minutes at the Bernabéu despite Mourinho's assurances, strengthening Milan's hand as they sense they are in pole position over Roma. The Rossoneri will lean on their established relationship with Roc Nation and their existing ties with Real Madrid to attempt to secure the player in the coming months.

Manu Koné encountered his former manager Claudio Ranieri during France's match against Italy at the Stade de France in Paris, with the Roma midfielder sharing a photograph of the reunion on social media. Ranieri now holds the position of technical director of the Italian Football Federation. Koné and Ranieri were central figures in Roma's 2024-25 season and the club's comeback that nearly secured Champions League qualification before Gian Piero Gasperini's arrival in June 2025.

Mario Hermoso is moving closer to a contract renewal with Roma. The Spanish defender has established himself as a linchpin under Gian Piero Gasperini, demonstrating strong adaptation to the coach's tactical system. The club's management is now turning its attention to his future, with talks and negotiations set to begin in the coming weeks. Hermoso would prefer a two-year extension that would take his contract through to 2029. Roma's policy for players over 30, however, typically involves annual renewals. Both the player and the club are keen to continue together, though the length of any new deal remains to be settled in forthcoming discussions.

Mario Hermoso has become a cornerstone of Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma defence, and the club is already working on a contract renewal with the Spanish defender. Hermoso, who is out of contract on 30 June, shares the club's intention to extend their partnership. The former Atlético Madrid player has impressed through his ability to build play from the back, offensive instinct and aggressive style—qualities that align perfectly with Gasperini's football. Santiago Castro marked a special night by making his Argentina debut, coming on in the second half of a 7–0 victory against Burkina Faso. The Roma striker expressed his emotion at the milestone: "There are moments that stay with you forever. Representing my country is a pride difficult to put into words. As a child I dreamed of this moment, and today I can say it has come true." He added in the mixed zone: "Seeing my family, my pregnant wife… it's an incredible mix of things." Donyell Malen returns to Como aiming to score again, this time to carry Roma to victory. Gasperini continues to push his forward, saying: "No one thought the numbers could be like this. I always tell him what he has done is not enough—someone scored 36 in the past. But if he reaches 30 I am happy." Malen is currently exceeding that benchmark, averaging 1.20 goals per match, on a scoring rate that surpasses the historical records of Higuaín and Immobile.

AS Roma are already working on extending Mario Hermoso's contract, as the Spanish defender has established himself as a key figure both on the pitch and in the dressing room under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Hermoso embodies what Gasperini has called the team's defensive 'gladiators', a core element of the coach's tactical approach. Hermoso's current deal includes an automatic extension that was triggered in June and is set to expire in 2027. However, Roma are keen to keep the defender at the club beyond that date and have initiated fresh negotiations with his representatives to secure his long-term future at the Stadio Olimpico.