Kessié rejects Juventus move

Roma will not strengthen their wing-back options before the transfer window closes, barring late surprises. With Devyne Rensch sidelined by a left flexor injury, Gian Piero Gasperini will rely on four defenders to cover the flanks until January: Giorgio De Marzi and Nahuel Molina on the right, and Wesley on the left. Molina featured prominently in Roma's opening match against Fiorentina last Monday, while Lulli has also impressed in recent action. The Oosterwolde deal collapsed following additional medical checks, and with Balerdi's arrival imminent to complete the centre-back contingent, Roma have decided against further recruitment in the defensive ranks. The club's focus has instead shifted to signing an attacking left winger rather than a fourth midfield full-back, a decision made in light of the positive performances from Lulli. Any further wing signings remain possible in the final days of the market, but none is planned at present.

Leonardo Balerdi is set to become Roma's fifth summer signing, joining from Olympique Marseille on loan with a right of purchase that can become an obligation based on certain appearance thresholds. The Argentine defender, who holds Italian citizenship and was born in 1999, is expected to arrive imminently and will sign a contract through 2031. The deal is valued between €15 and €20 million in total and was completed in just over 48 hours through quiet negotiations by the Roma hierarchy. Bareldi's path to Roma stretches back years. In 2025, then-sporting director Ghisolfi pursued him, while last summer Gasperini specifically requested the signing. However, Marseille's valuation proved prohibitively high at that time; only now, with the French club needing to offload players, has the operation become feasible. Sporting director D'Amico had identified Balerdi while working with Gasperini at Atalanta in summer 2024, following a Europa League semi-final meeting between the clubs. That interest stalled over valuation concerns. D'Amico had also negotiated with Marseille over defender Aguerd in recent days, but the Moroccan declined a loan move, bringing Balerdi back into focus. At 27, Balerdi will join Roma's growing contingent of Argentine players at Trigoria: Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina.

Roma are intensifying their pursuit of Chelsea winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as their primary target for the left-wing position. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Gittens as the ideal fit for his system, citing the player's physical attributes, pace and ability to attack goal. Roma have maintained contact with Chelsea and stepped up pressure through intermediaries in recent days, with sporting director Tony D'Amico seeking a formula that would bring Gittens to Roma initially on a paid loan with an option to buy that could become an obligation subject to specific conditions. Chelsea have not yet opened the door to a loan arrangement, however, which remains the central obstacle. The overall valuation of the operation is placed between €40 million and €50 million. Roma continue to work on the structure of the deal, hoping that Chelsea will soften their stance in the final days of the transfer window. Malick Fofana of Lyon is listed as the alternative option and would welcome a move to Rome, but Lyon are insisting on a permanent sale. Without an opening from Chelsea on their preferred terms, the winger saga risks dragging into the closing hours of the market.