Luis Henrique not a priority for Roma, says Pedullà

Emanuele Lulli, the 18-year-old right-back, delivered a positive display for Roma in their final pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Stadium yesterday, starting and playing 76 minutes. Gasperini has regularly deployed the class of 2007 prospect in recent weeks, with Lulli appearing in progressive minutes across warm-up fixtures: 18 minutes against Cardiff, 20 against Newport, 12 against Brighton, and the full 76-minute outing against Dortmund. The teenager, who turns 19 tomorrow, demonstrated both defensive cover and attacking thrust—precisely what Gasperini demands from his fullbacks. Roma's recruitment focus remains on the offensive flank, though director D'Amico continues work on the fullback contingent. With Tsimikas, Çelik and Angeliño departed, the squad has lacked reinforcement on the wings; only Wesley and Devyne Rensch remain from last season, with Molina arriving yesterday on his Roma debut. Lulli's composed display offers genuine hope of a permanent pathway into first-team contention under Gasperini. Lulli recorded three defensive contributions, two interceptions and three recoveries in addition to one clearance across his 76 minutes, also winning one ground duel and one aerial duel. He registered 88% pass accuracy in the opposition half (7/8) and 82% in his own half (9/11), with 2 of 3 long passes reaching their target. His ball-carrying statistics stand out: 54.9 metres gained (compared to 23.3 for Rensch), including 37.4 metres towards the opposition goal (21.3 for Rensch). Roma continue pressing on Udogie, while moves for Cacciamani and Luis Henrique face complications.

Lucas Gourna-Douath has joined newly promoted Hull City in the Premier League for £2.9 million guaranteed plus add-ons and 10 per cent of any future sale. The 23-year-old French midfielder departed Roma after the club declined to exercise a €19.5 million purchase option at the end of the 2025–26 season, having signed on loan with a right to buy from Salzburg on 3 February 2025. Gourna-Douath found limited playing time during his spell in the colours and was sent out on loan to Ligue 1 side Le Havre in January. The transfer marks the end of a brief Roma chapter for the 2003-born midfielder, who arrived with potential but was unable to establish himself in Serie A. His departure had already been decided when the club chose not to convert the loan into a permanent deal at the close of last season. Gourna-Douath expressed enthusiasm for his new challenge, saying: "I had the opportunity to play in the Champions League, in Serie A and in Ligue 1. I learned a lot and I am really happy to be able to use this experience in the Premier League. The Premier League is the dream of all footballers. Now I have this opportunity, so I cannot wait to take to the pitch."

Torino defeated Carrarese 1–0 in a Coppa Italia match on 15 August, with a goal from Simeone early in the game, advancing to the round of 16 where they will face Monza. Left-back Alessio Cacciamani played the full 90 minutes and impressed particularly in the second half. Roma has made an offer for the player in recent weeks, but Torino director Gianluca Petrachi signalled the club's determination to retain him unless a significantly improved bid arrives. Petrachi told Mediaset ahead of the match: "Certainly he is a player who has performed well and is being watched by more than one club, so it pleases us because he is also a player who came through our academy, so it is a source of pride. And we hope to manage to keep him." On whether a fixed price exists or if Cacciamani represents Torino's future, Petrachi added: "I think if there had been a price he would already have left. The fact that we have offered resistance is proof that a proposal needs to arrive that is truly very, very important, otherwise we would want to keep him. That at least is our ambition." Petrachi acknowledged Torino's financial constraints, noting the club faces losses around 20 million euros this season and must complete some sales. He stressed the market remains "very, very complicated" and that several surplus players have not found suitable moves. Despite these pressures, Petrachi expressed confidence the club can build a squad reflecting the coach's vision over the remaining 15 days of the transfer window.