Malen signs new Roma contract until 2030 after permanent transfer from Aston Villa

Roma have made a strong bid for Juan Cabal, the Colombian left-back currently owned by Juventus, in the final hours of the transfer window. According to Matteo Moretto, the club has moved decisively for the player, who is open to the transfer. Atalanta had pursued Cabal for some time without reaching a conclusion, but Roma are now attempting to overtake them and bring the defender to the Stadio Olimpico. The move addresses a specific tactical requirement identified by Gian Piero Gasperini. While the coach has several attacking full-backs available who can play across the left flank, most are naturally right-footed. Cabal's arrival would provide a left-footed option and add a different profile to the department. The signing would complete the squad in an area Gasperini identified as still needing reinforcement. The opportunity has emerged suddenly with the market closing imminently, and requires urgent attention. Roma must quickly establish the terms of a deal with Juventus and determine whether sufficient room exists to reach an agreement before the transfer window shuts. The path forward depends on how swiftly the giallorossi can move.

West Ham have enquired about signing Roma left-back Salah-Eddine on loan, according to The Athletic. The London club have tabled a loan offer for the defender, who was left out of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's project several weeks ago after rejecting a move to Olympiacos. Roma would have preferred to generate a transfer fee but, with the English transfer window closing at midnight, are now willing to let him leave on loan. West Ham, competing in the Championship this season, are searching for a replacement for Diouf. The ball now rests with Salah-Eddine to decide whether to accept the switch.

Chelsea made a dramatic late bid on transfer deadline day to sign Manu Koné, offering €60 million in total with bonuses included and proposing to send winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to Roma on loan as part of the deal. However, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini refused to let the midfielder leave. According to reports, Gasperini raised an insurmountable wall against the move, even threatening to resign if Koné departed, reiterating his firm stance made after Roma's win against Lecce: "Koné will not go anywhere." The coach views the French midfielder as the cornerstone of his midfield and had no intention of losing him hours before the transfer window closed at 20:00. Gasperini's stance proved decisive in blocking what would have been a significant operation from the English club. Koné remains at Roma, with the midfielder staying at Trigoria as the club giallorosso stood firm in its refusal to part with a key squad member in the final hours of the window. Roma's sporting director, however, did not entirely abandon the pursuit of an attacking reinforcement. In the closing stages of the market, the club moved to separate the Bynoe-Gittens component from the Koné negotiation entirely, attempting to find an independent formula that would allow Gasperini to secure the attacking reinforcement he had been seeking.

Donyell Malen has become a revelation for Roma since his arrival, scoring five goals in the first two Serie A matches of the 2026-27 season. The Dutch forward has completely transformed the club's attacking play, combining prolific finishing with an ability to create for teammates. In yesterday's fixture against Lecce, Soulé and Rodrigo Mora also found the net—Mora notably scoring after managing just one league goal throughout the previous season under Farioli. Roma have already struck eight goals across their opening two matches, a dramatic acceleration compared to last season when head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side required until 26 October, the eighth matchday, to reach that same tally. Only against Fiorentina and Verona last season had Roma scored twice in a single league match. The contrast with the previous year's attacking output is stark. The pairing of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson last season yielded just six goals combined in Serie A, while Malen has already reached five in two games. The attacking unit is set to strengthen further once Paulo Dybala and Santiago Castro return to full availability, and Roma are also pursuing an additional forward signing before the close of the transfer window.

Donyell Malen has joined an elite group of Serie A strikers after scoring twice against Lecce to reach 19 goals in his first 20 competitive appearances for Roma. The Dutch forward's record places him behind only two legendary figures in the single round-robin era of Italian football: Gunnar Nordahl in 1949 and José Altafini between 1958 and 1959, both of whom scored 20 goals in their opening 20 matches. Malen has established himself as a cornerstone of Roma's attack under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini this season. His prolific form ranks among the most significant impacts recorded by any newcomer to Italian football in recent history, confirming his status as a defining attacking weapon for the club.

Roma hammered Lecce 4–0 to claim three points in a one-sided fixture, with Donyell Malen producing a standout performance. Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora also found the net. Emanuele Lulli delivered a strong display in defence, while Daniele Ghilardi emerged as an unexpected highlight after being drafted in at short notice due to Evan N'Dicka's absence. Gasperini deployed Roma in a 3–4–1–2 formation. Ghilardi's emergency shift proved effective, earning him marks of 7.5 from Corriere dello Sport, 6.5 from Gazzetta dello Sport, 7 from Messaggero, and 7 from Tempo. Mile Svilar received ratings ranging from 6.5 to 7 across the four newspapers. Gianluca Mancini was rated between 6 and 7, while Mario Hermoso earned 6 to 7.5 depending on the outlet. In midfield, Bryan Cristante was graded 6.5 to 8, with Corriere awarding him the highest mark. Manu Koné received 6.5 to 7.5 before being withdrawn at the 67th minute in favour of Niccolò Pisilli. Wesley was rated 6.5 to 7 and was replaced at the 60th minute by Nahuel Molina. Malen's performance drew praise with an 8 from Gazzetta, Messaggero and Tempo, and 8.5 from Corriere. Soulé was marked 6.5 to 7.5 and was substituted at the 60th minute for Mora, who received 6.5 to 7. Paulo Dybala earned 6.5 to 7.5 before departing at the 84th minute for Marten de Roon. Gasperini received ratings of 7.5 to 8 for his management.

Roma hammered Lecce 4–0 to claim three points in a one-sided fixture, with Donyell Malen producing a standout performance. Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora also found the net. Emanuele Lulli delivered a strong display in defence, while Daniele Ghilardi emerged as an unexpected highlight after being drafted in at short notice due to Evan N'Dicka's absence. Gasperini deployed Roma in a 3–4–1–2 formation. Ghilardi's emergency shift proved effective, earning him marks of 7.5 from Corriere dello Sport, 6.5 from Gazzetta dello Sport, 7 from Messaggero, and 7 from Tempo. Mile Svilar received ratings ranging from 6.5 to 7 across the four newspapers. Gianluca Mancini was rated between 6 and 7, while Mario Hermoso earned 6 to 7.5 depending on the outlet. In midfield, Bryan Cristante was graded 6.5 to 8, with Corriere awarding him the highest mark. Manu Koné received 6.5 to 7.5 before being withdrawn at the 67th minute in favour of Niccolò Pisilli. Wesley was rated 6.5 to 7 and was replaced at the 60th minute by Nahuel Molina. Malen's performance drew praise with an 8 from Gazzetta, Messaggero and Tempo, and 8.5 from Corriere. Soulé was marked 6.5 to 7.5 and was substituted at the 60th minute for Mora, who received 6.5 to 7. Paulo Dybala earned 6.5 to 7.5 before departing at the 84th minute for Marten de Roon. Gasperini received ratings of 7.5 to 8 for his management.

Roma swept to a dominant 4-0 victory at Lecce, with Donyell Malen delivering a man-of-the-match display that included two goals and creative play throughout. The forward struck in the third minute to open the scoring, then added a second shortly after, and continued to drive Roma's attack with assists and tireless running. Paulo Dybala orchestrated play between the lines and set up further goals, though he squandered a clear chance in the second half. Gianluca Mancini, shifted to centre at the last moment, dominated his direct opponent and provided an assist for Rodrigo Mora's contribution to the scoreline. Gasperini's side displayed complete control from the outset. Bryan Cristante commanded the midfield with the authority of a captain, exploiting Lecce's turnover attempts and combining physical presence with tactical awareness. The coach made no changes to his selection despite Chelsea's reported interest in Manu Koné, whose performance drew praise for his positioning and defensive work in hot conditions. Emanuele Lulli continued his run of mature displays at the back, while Wesley combined creative work with Matías Soulé on the left and contributed to the sweeping attacking move that produced Roma's second goal. Daniele Ghilardi came into the side and brought personality to his performance, inserting himself into the left flank between Lulli and Dybala and adding an offensive dimension without conceding space behind. The rout illustrated Roma's fitness advantage and tactical superiority. Hermoso brought physical authority and experience to break up Lecce's attacking moves, finishing in growing form and making a crucial line clearance. Koné appeared suddenly behind Lecce's attacking midfielders and moved the ball effectively in dangerous areas. Dybala received standing ovations from the Via del Mare crowd, his half-yard of space consistently yielding chances for teammates, though the sole criticism came from his wasted opportunity in the second half. Malen's performance overshadowed any individual concern—he recovered the ball relentlessly, ran the channels without rest, and went close to adding two more goals. Rodrigo Mora's entry brought absolute positivity to the midfield, offering a sharp contrast to Niccolò Pisilli's substitute appearance, which lacked its usual spark.

Roma produced an impeccable performance to beat Lecce 4-0 on 31 August, with Donyell Malen scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes before Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora added the third and fourth goals. Gasperini set Roma up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, deploying Soulé and Paulo Dybala in support of Malen, while Emanuele Lulli continued on the flank. The back three comprised Daniele Ghilardi, Gianluca Mancini, and Mario Hermoso, with Evan N'Dicka unavailable after suffering a muscular problem during the warm-up. Malen opened the scoring in the 4th minute and doubled his tally in the 23rd minute. Soulé made it 3-0 five minutes later, before Mora's goal in the 65th minute capped a dominant display. Malen was booked during the match. Lecce, managed by Di Francesco, fielded a 3-5-2 formation but offered little resistance.