Inter target Koné as Roma eye Frattesi swap; Giannini set for return to Trigoria

Franck Kessié's future remains undecided as Juventus continue negotiations with the midfielder, but no final agreement has been reached between player and club. The talks are ongoing and incomplete, leaving space for other interested parties to remain in contention. Roma, under Gasperini, are actively monitoring developments and have maintained contact with Kessié. The giallorossi kept their channels open today and remain concretely in the running. Because Kessié has not yet made a decision, the pursuit remains wide open; Juventus continue their work, but Roma's involvement suggests the race for the midfielder is far from settled.

Roma are close to securing Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with the club planning the Argentine defender's travel and medical examinations for 29 August ahead of his contract signing. The deal, accelerated in recent hours, involves Balerdi joining on loan with an obligation to buy dependent on specified conditions. According to Nicolò Schira, intermediary Gabriele Giuffrida has played a key role in moving the transfer forward, with only final details on the buyout clause's triggering conditions left to resolve. The proposed contract structure offers Balerdi a one-year deal plus four further years, potentially keeping him at Roma until 2031. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is awaiting the arrival of the 1999-born centre-back to strengthen the defence with international experience and aggressive, possession-based qualities suited to Roma's tactical approach. The move came after the collapse of an attempt to sign Jayden Oosterwolde, which fell through following medical concerns. Sporting director Tony D'Amico moved quickly to find an alternative reinforcement for the back line.

Hull City have entered the race for Lyon winger Malick Fofana with a €35 million offer for the Belgian, threatening to derail Roma's long-standing interest in the player. The English club have already held direct talks with Fofana to outline their project, and are now awaiting his response before moving to finalise the deal. Hull City are simultaneously pursuing a loan move with a purchase option for Roma's Robinio Vaz on the same Lyon-Roma axis. Roma had reached personal terms with Fofana in recent weeks and the player had expressed his willingness to join the club. However, the Giallorossi have failed to follow up their interest with a concrete offer to Lyon in recent days, leaving the door open for competitors. Gian Piero Gasperini has requested an attacking winger, and sporting director Tony D'Amico is evaluating alternative options as well. The central issue is the transfer structure: Lyon require a permanent sale and are unwilling to let Fofana leave on loan, a formula that would have allowed Roma to operate more flexibly within their tight end-of-window budget. Hull City, by contrast, have tabled a bid for an outright purchase. Roma face mounting pressure to decide whether to return with a serious assault on the deal or concede ground to their competitors as the transfer deadline approaches.

Roma are intensifying their pursuit of attacking reinforcements as Gasperini's rebuild continues. Sporting director D'Amico is preparing a fresh attempt for Gittens while reassessing the Fofana situation after Lyon contacted the club this morning to enter talks; the offer exceeds €30 million but Roma have temporarily shelved that avenue. In defence, the club has accelerated negotiations with Marseille over Gianluca Balerdi and is close to sealing the deal. Balerdi, a versatile defender with strong distribution ability, can operate as backup to Evan N'Dicka or as the leading centre-back in Gasperini's three-man system following his spells under Tudor and De Zerbi. Meanwhile, Jan Ziolkowski will join Monza on loan with a purchase option set at €18 million, clearing space in Roma's defensive ranks after Nottingham Forest blocked the Morato route.

Roma are pursuing Marseille defender Leo Balerdi as they search for reinforcements in defence following the collapse of their move for Jayden Oosterwolde, who failed his second medical. Balerdi has approved the transfer, and Marseille have opened negotiations over a loan with an option to buy, with talks progressing positively. The move comes after Roma's failed attempt to sign Nottingham Forest's Morato, who the club could not acquire on loan. The departure of Jan Ziółkowski to Monza has left the Giallorossi needing a defender of Balerdi's profile. Balerdi would slot in as a rotation option behind Evan N'Dicka, who is expected to be a regular in the back three. Roma already have a strong Argentine contingent, and the centre-back would strengthen that group.

AS Roma are signing Nicolás Balerdi from Olympique Marseille as financial pressure forces the French club to sell. The centre-back will arrive at Trigoria as backup to Evan N'Dicka but can play across multiple defensive positions, including right-side centre-back in Gasperini's three-man defence. Under De Zerbi last season, Balerdi was one of Ligue 1's standout defenders, recording a pass accuracy of 92% and recovering 5.4 balls per 90 minutes. He frequently operated as a primary playmaker from the centre, averaging 82 touches per match. Roma have struggled to build play from the back since Paredes departed and lack a recognised deep midfielder—Balerdi's range of passing and composure in possession could become a key asset in Gasperini's system.