Koné returns to give Roma midfield the spark Gasperini needs

Roma are close to agreeing a new contract with defender Mario Hermoso, with the Spaniard set to sign a two-year deal with an option for a third year. Sky Sport reports that talks are well advanced, and the club are keen to tie him down. His current contract expires in June, and an announcement could come in the coming weeks. Hermoso has been one of Roma's standout performers at the start of this season, playing across defence, midfield, attack and as a goalscorer. His form is a far cry from his disappointing first season in giallorosso, which came before his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen. Since Gian Piero Gasperini took charge, the Spaniard has returned to a high level and has become one of the key men in the squad. The proposed deal runs for two years, with an option for a third. The club's aim is to secure one of their most important players on a longer-term footing as the season develops.

Roma are working to extend the contract of defender Mario Hermoso, who is currently due to expire in June 2027. Sky Sport journalist Angelo Mangiante reported the latest details of the negotiations on his X profile. According to Mangiante, both parties have already opened contacts and there is a mutual desire to continue together. The proposal on the table is a renewal for two more seasons, until 2029, with an option for a further year, until 2030. Hermoso has become one of the fixed points of Gian Piero Gasperini's side, and the club's aim is to keep one of the protagonists of Roma's growth for the long term. The Spaniard has been transformed by Gasperini into a defender who can also make an impact in the goalscoring zone, using his technical qualities and his ability to get forward. Mangiante's figures show that Hermoso has scored 8 goals in 49 starts for Roma, three of them this season. The most recent came on Saturday against Sassuolo, when he broke the deadlock with a powerful left-foot strike inside the area, paving the way for a 3-0 win. The performance confirmed once again how important he has become to Roma's balance. The negotiation is not yet concluded, but the path appears set: Roma want to build around Hermoso in the seasons ahead. After a difficult start in the Italian capital, the defender has become one of the emblematic figures of Gasperini's team, and could now tie himself to the giallorossi until 2030.

Roma are preparing to tie down centre-back Mario Hermoso with a two-year contract extension that includes an option for a third season, according to Sky Sport. The Spaniard is having the best campaign of his time in the Italian capital, and the club are keen to keep him. Hermoso has 14 appearances and 3 goals this season. Gasperini rarely leaves him out: the defender has missed just one match so far, the game against Cagliari on 27 October. Otherwise he has started every game or come on in the second half. His strong performances have convinced the club to keep building around him. The current agreement expires in June, which is why talks have already begun. Both parties want to continue together, and a deal appears to be a matter of time.