Roma have turned their attention to Luiz Henrique, a 25-year-old Brazilian winger at Zenit, in the final days of the transfer window. The move marks a significant shift in the club's strategy, as Henrique's profile differs markedly from the left-footed right-winger Roma pursued throughout the summer.
A product of Fluminense, Henrique spent two seasons at Betis in Spain before his breakthrough came in 2024 when he returned to Brazil to join Botafogo. There he enjoyed his best season, winning both the Brasileirão and Copa Libertadores while establishing himself as a key player for the side. His performances earned him recognition as South America's best player of the year and a Brazil call-up. In January 2025, Zenit signed him for approximately €35 million.
Henrique is a powerful, quick winger who excels in one-on-one duels and can create numerical superiority during attacking moves. His natural position is on the right flank, where he likes to receive the ball wide, take on defenders and cut onto his left foot. At Zenit, he has also played on the left with good results, though this represents an adaptation from his strongest attributes. However, he is not a prolific goalscorer and has never reached the 15–20 goals-per-season returns expected of a top attacking talent. While Gasperini's preference for powerful, physically imposing wingers may suit Henrique's profile, there remains uncertainty about where exactly he would be deployed in Roma's system. The left-winger position he could occupy would see him, as a left-footer, tend more naturally towards the byline or combination play rather than cutting inside toward goal—a quality Roma had prioritized in other targets.
The pursuit of Henrique may reflect a market compromise rather than a strategic shift. With the transfer window closing, Roma must balance technical characteristics against availability, cost and feasible terms. If their ideal profile remains unattainable at desired costs, the club must broaden its options.
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Roma are in the final days of the transfer window pursuing attacking reinforcements, with Brazilian winger Luiz Henrique emerging as the primary target. The 25-year-old, currently at Zenit Saint Petersburg, has agreed in principle to join the club. Retesport reports the deal is structured as a €5 million loan with a €30 million purchase option, while Roma News describes it as a paid loan with a conditional right of redemption that converts to an obligation. Sporting director D'Amico has approved Henrique and the winger is pushing to complete the move, though the club has not yet given final confirmation as it continues to evaluate alternative options.
Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart remains under consideration as Roma explore their options before the window closes. The German winger is valued at €50–55 million by his club, which holds him under contract until 2029. Chelsea's Jamie Gittens is also being tracked, along with Ecuadorian prospect Keny Arroyo from Cruzeiro. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has requested both a left-back and an attacking winger, though the left-back search stalled after Dutch prospect Oosterwolde was returned to Fenerbahçe due to physical problems.
Henrique, a product of Fluminense who won the Brasileirão and Copa Libertadores with Botafogo in 2024, is a powerful winger who excels in one-on-one duels. However, GialloRossi.net notes he is not a prolific goalscorer and has never consistently reached 15–20 goals per season. While naturally right-footed, he has played on the left at Zenit, though this represents an adaptation from his strongest attributes. Roma's pursuit may reflect a market compromise with the window closing, balancing technical characteristics against availability and cost.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Il nome di Luiz Henrique è piombato improvvisamente sul mercato della Roma a pochi giorni dalla chiusura. E per molti tifosi la prima domanda è stata inevitabile: chi è?
Brasiliano, 25 anni, 1,82 di altezza, Luiz Henrique è un esterno offensivo mancino, potente fisicamente e particolarmente forte…”
Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.
