Malen's alien numbers: goal average better than Ronaldo and CR7

Roma have reworked the terms of their move for Jayden Oosterwolde after medical assessments revealed a lengthy recovery path from injury. The deal initially centred on a loan with an option to buy set at €15 million, which would become an obligation under certain conditions. The player arrived in Rome ready to begin, but the club halted proceedings to conduct thorough medical checks, including a consultation with Professor Lempainen. The examination showed a prolonged rehabilitation ahead. Roma remain keen on Oosterwolde despite the injury concerns and are determined to bring him to the club regardless. However, they have asked Fenerbahce to alter the structure of the deal. The new proposal involves a free loan rather than a paid one, with modifications also made to the buyout clause terms. Fenerbahce's approval of these revised conditions is now being awaited before the transfer can be finalised.

Robinio Vaz is set to leave Roma, with the clubs close to finalizing his transfer to Hull City on a loan deal with a purchase option. The French forward, born in 2008, has made little impact under Gian Piero Gasperini, who tested him as a winger during the summer training camp, and has been unable to establish himself in the Roma squad. He will now seek regular football in England with the newly promoted Premier League club. According to The Athletic, the transfer between Roma and Hull City is advancing swiftly toward completion. The structure involves a loan fee of €2 million and a purchase option valued at €30 million for next summer. Vaz is finalizing the remaining contract details before undergoing medical examinations and signing with the English side.

Robinio Vaz is on the verge of leaving Roma for Hull City. The French forward has found opportunities limited under Gasperini and is set to join the newly promoted Premier League side. The Athletic reports that an agreement between the clubs is close to completion, with Roma preparing to let him depart after he failed to establish himself as a key player during pre-season and behind-closed-doors work. The deal is structured as a loan with a fee of €2 million, plus a purchase option set at €30 million. Vaz is currently negotiating contract terms with Hull City, with final administrative details still being resolved. Roma will allow the 2008-born forward to leave as another departure from the recruitment period under Massara's leadership.

The relationship between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and sporting director Ricky Massara deteriorated throughout the 2025–26 season, marked by clashing views on transfer strategy, public criticism and mounting friction that became irreparable. Massara, who felt treated as an amateur despite his substantial track record, endured difficult months in silence, though tension grew steadily. The conflict began last summer during negotiations for Sancho and Fabio Silva, then escalated in late August when Massara said "Sancho at the moment remains a suggestion because I don't think there are the conditions or the motivations," while Gasperini later replied: "Sancho never refused Roma." The situation exploded in early September during a heated discussion at Fulvio Bernardini, where Gasperini accused Massara of being too slow in negotiations, dismissing the restrictions imposed by Financial Fair Play and inherited difficulties. Disputes over specific targets fuelled the rift further: Gasperini's veto on Raspadori, his preference for Malen over Zirkzee, and disagreements over Robinio Vaz. The breakdown continued from a distance after Massara moved to Juventus, with the director's pursuit of Zeki Çelik irritating Roma while Gasperini attempted to insert himself into the Juventus deal for Kessié. The definitive rupture came in spring, when Gasperini rejected Kerim Alajbegovic and made his position clear: having secured the departure of Ranieri, he wanted Massara gone as well to remain at Roma.

Giancarlo Antognoni, Fiorentina legend, has praised Paulo Dybala as the best attacking midfielder in Serie A and the player capable of driving Roma towards the title under Gian Piero Gasperini. Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Antognoni analysed Roma's recent victory and Dybala's role in it, singling out the Argentine's quality on the ball as decisive. "Dybala is one of the strongest in the league, the best in his position," Antognoni said. "If he continues like this, Gasperini will be able to fight for the Scudetto. With the ball he does what he wants: pure spectacle. Fiorentina gave him too much freedom, but if bad luck leaves him in peace, Gasperini has an ace in his hand." Antognoni also highlighted Dybala's impact on Roma's opening goal, noting how he "jumped past half the team before setting up Malen." Antognoni reflected on the rarity of the number 10 role in modern football, observing that Italy has few players of such quality. "Football has become too tactical and physical," he explained. "The number 10 still exists in youth academies, but at club level results come first and fear of losing stifles imagination. So the number 10s have to adapt: Calhanoglu became a regista, Dembélé is a ten disguised as a nine, Yildiz starts wide but moves inside the pitch." He detected signs of revival, citing Nico Paz at Como, Liberali, and Mastantuono as promising talents, and suggested that talented players in midfield positions—like Lautaro at Inter—can make their teams unpredictable. Antognoni also praised Rodrigo Mora, describing him as another talented signing Roma has brought in who "seems already almost ready."

Rodrigo Mora announced himself to AS Roma supporters with an influential display on his first outing in the giallorosso shirt, earning immediate praise from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The Portuguese talent, who arrived with the tag of a €52 million investment despite an initial outlay of €25 million, demonstrated rare maturity for his age. Operating on the left wing to exploit his pace and create numerical advantage, Mora showed glimpses of his quality throughout the contest, most notably executing a cutting switch to his right foot and curling a shot towards the top corner that required a fine save from the opposition goalkeeper. Gasperini was visibly enthused by what he saw. After the match, the Roma coach highlighted Mora's versatility, emphasizing that he is capable of playing as a playmaker or across the flanks. He noted that Mora creates something meaningful every time he touches the ball. The wide role allowed the Portuguese winger to exploit his dribbling ability—a quality that had already caught attention during his time in La Liga—while demonstrating his adaptability to Roma's demanding environment. Alongside strong contributions from Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala, the evening provided early evidence that Mora possesses the foundations needed to become a key player for the club.