Luis Henrique Roma's priority as Fofana deal hinges on outgoings

Manchester City have moved into contention for Manu Koné after Manchester United withdrew from the race and turned their attention to Brighton's Baleba. According to the Daily Mail, Enzo Fernández and Lille's Bouaddi targets did not advance, prompting City manager Maresca to accelerate the search for a midfield reinforcement following Rodri's injury. Roma are holding firm on a valuation of approximately €55 million for the French midfielder. However, with fewer than two weeks remaining in the transfer window, a departure appears unlikely given the club's position and the limited time to find an adequate replacement. The ongoing uncertainty over Koné's future underscores the complexity of late-window dealings, with City's urgency to bolster their ranks competing against Roma's unwillingness to sell at a discount or rush into a premature exit.

Roma continue to monitor Alessio Cacciamani, and a development at Turin may accelerate their pursuit. Torino confirmed an agreement with Fiorentina to sign Niccolò Fortini on loan with a right of redemption. Since Fortini plays the same position as Roma's target, the path to Cacciamani could warm in the coming hours. Torino's Cairo rejected Roma's opening bid of €10 million plus €2 million in bonuses; the club values Cacciamani at approximately €20 million, though Roma hope to negotiate a lower fee. Meanwhile, the search for alternative targets continues. Udogie remains on standby as Roma's transfer operation winds down. Sporting director D'Amico is hunting for a deputy to Wesley to deliver to head coach Gasperini before the window closes. Luis Henrique appears out of reach; no agreement has been reached either with Inter or the player himself.

Rodrigo Mora landed at Ciampino yesterday to a reception of nearly 500 supporters as Roma completed the Portuguese attacking talent's signing. The 19-year-old expressed his gratitude in an official interview: "I want to thank Roma and Porto. I'm very happy to be here, and I thank the fans for the support they showed me at the airport. I'm very pleased and hope to have a great season here." José Mourinho endorsed the move, calling Mora "one of the greatest talents in Portuguese football. Technically very strong, a creative player who unbalances matches. I think Roma fans will love him." Meanwhile, Roma remain in talks over striker Malick Fofana from Lyon. An agreement in principle is in place for €35 million plus bonuses, but the deal is conditional on Lyon's European preliminary round results and awaits approval from the Friedkin Group ownership, who are reluctant to commit such a sum without significant departures or cheaper payment structures, mindful of financial fair play constraints. Defender Gianluca Mancini discussed the challenge ahead under Gian Piero Gasperini in an interview with Sky Sport. On competing in the Champions League for the first time, he said: "Yes, we pursued it for some years. Last season we secured it and we can't wait to take part in this beautiful competition." He added on Gasperini's training intensity: "I think all preparations are tough because you come from a holiday period and when you restart in the heat the first sessions are tough everywhere, what the manager and his staff do is put us in the right conditions to face the season in the best way possible. We as a group follow exactly what he tells us to do." Manu Koné is expected to remain at Roma after Manchester United withdrew from the race for the French midfielder.

Roma continue to monitor Alessio Cacciamani, and a development at Turin may accelerate their pursuit. Torino confirmed an agreement with Fiorentina to sign Niccolò Fortini on loan with a right of redemption. Since Fortini plays the same position as Roma's target, the path to Cacciamani could warm in the coming hours. Torino's Cairo rejected Roma's opening bid of €10 million plus €2 million in bonuses; the club values Cacciamani at approximately €20 million, though Roma hope to negotiate a lower fee. Meanwhile, the search for alternative targets continues. Udogie remains on standby as Roma's transfer operation winds down. Sporting director D'Amico is hunting for a deputy to Wesley to deliver to head coach Gasperini before the window closes. Luis Henrique appears out of reach; no agreement has been reached either with Inter or the player himself.

Rodrigo Mora began his AS Roma adventure on Tuesday morning at the Centro Sportivo Fulvio Bernardini, joining the squad for his first training session under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Portuguese talent took the field alongside Wesley and met his new Giallorossi teammates, greeting the club's social media followers with a simple message: "Buongiorno!". Mora's arrival adds depth to Roma's attacking options as the squad prepares for the 2026-27 campaign. He integrated immediately into Gasperini's squad at the training ground, suggesting a swift induction into the coach's tactical setup and daily routines.

Rodrigo Mora reported for his first day at Roma on 19 August, hours after the club confirmed his arrival. The Portuguese midfielder born in 2007 went straight to Trigoria and joined the squad for training under Gian Piero Gasperini. He quickly settled into his new surroundings, visibly smiling in footage released by Roma as he spoke and joked with fellow player Wesley—the shared Portuguese language helping them connect naturally. A standout moment came when Mora greeted staff with a perfect "Buongiorno" in Italian, signalling his eagerness to integrate immediately into his new environment. Mora is unlikely to feature from the start in Roma's next fixture against Fiorentina on Monday, but Gasperini is expected to give him minutes off the bench to build his familiarity with the Stadio Olimpico and demonstrate his abilities. The club and supporters are anticipating what the new arrival will bring to the squad.

Roma are advancing in pursuit of Inter's Luis Henrique to serve as backup left-back to Wesley. The club has already reached a draft agreement with Inter, with the transfer valued at approximately €30 million including bonuses, though details of the loan-with-obligation-to-buy structure remain to be finalised. Henrique is convinced of the move, but salary negotiations must be resolved—he currently earns €2.5 million at Inter. Gasperini has made strengthening the left flank a priority following Rodrigo Mora's arrival. Henrique is ahead of Tottenham's Destiny Udogie and Torino's Alessio Cacciamani in the pecking order. A striker remains on the shopping list, with Lyon's Malick Fofana emerging as the leading candidate. Lyon want Fofana available for their Champions League playoff return on 26 August. Roma must sell either Matías Soulé or Manu Koné to make the Fofana deal work financially. The club is also working on secondary departures: Robinio Vaz has attracted interest from Venezia, Bologna, and Fiorentina, though Roma are not open to a loan, and Salah-Eddine is also available for transfer. Gasperini remains fascinated by the prospect of signing Rafa Leão as an option on the left wing.

Roma's investment in Rodrigo Mora has sparked debate over the club's willingness to spend heavily on young players. The Portuguese teenager was secured for €25 million plus 50% of any future sale to Porto, or Roma can pay an additional €25 million to own him outright—valuing the deal at €50 million total for a player born in 2007. The gamble reflects a long-standing pattern: the club has repeatedly invested significant sums in teenage and young adult talent, with mixed results. Mora joins a lineage of young signings stretching back decades. Antonio Cassano arrived in 2001–02 as an 18-year-old from Bari for €31 million (in today's money)—equivalent to €100 million for a teenager now. Erik Lamela joined in 2011–12 at 19 years old from River Plate for nearly €20 million. More recently, Matías Soulé cost almost €30 million as a 21-year-old from Juventus, while Wesley was acquired last summer at 21 for approximately €25 million from Brazil. In the current window, Castro was signed at 21 for €36 million, and the club attempted a €25 million deal for Robinio Vaz months earlier. Other young signings—Gerson, Kluivert (both 19, around €20 million each), and Patrik Schick at 22 (Roma's costliest ever)—proved less fortunate. The underlying strategy remains consistent: Roma looks to the future, with success varying considerably. The hope now is that Mora will be remembered as one of the club's successful youth investments.

Robinio Vaz will remain at Roma through the closing of the transfer window, with the club rejecting any sale of the French striker acquired eight months ago from Olympique Marseille for €25 million. A proposed move to Bologna fell through during negotiations involving Castro and Dovbyk. Vaz has used recent friendlies to impress new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and demonstrate his value to the squad. With the centre-forward role occupied by Malen and Castro, Vaz is being positioned as a creative attacking midfielder, a role that could leverage his distinctive qualities. Gasperini's tactical system offers intriguing prospects for the French talent, who possesses pace and physical strength unmatched by other options in that position—Dybala, Pellegrini, Mora and Soulé. Last season, his intervention proved decisive in a closely fought match against Lecce after an initial adaptation period in Italian football. Vaz suffered a first-degree medial collateral ligament injury to his right knee while training, an injury sustained in unusual circumstances: he explained to the club he was injured while skiing in summer. After overcoming the setback within just over a week, he has recovered fully and is ready to compete for Gasperini's confidence.