Malen's Transfermarkt value rises from €25m to €55m since joining Roma

Roma sporting director Tony D'Amico is already working on strengthening Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the January transfer window, and Alejandro Balde is among his targets. The left-back is leaving Barcelona, and Spanish outlet SPORT reports that his agent Jorge Mendes is already looking for the best solution. D'Amico has reportedly already met Mendes to test the ground and assess whether the deal is feasible. Barcelona want to recoup money quickly, reportedly seeking around €40 million, but the most concrete option is a loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. Balde is among the Barcelona players considered most likely to leave, with Hansi Flick wanting a new central defender and the club's difficult financial situation forcing a sale. The left-back has played only 124 minutes this season. Several clubs are interested, mainly in the Premier League, where Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United are monitoring the situation without having made any official approach. In Italy, Juventus are also interested, but Roma are the most prominent suitors. Balde is highly rated by Gasperini, but the main obstacle is the player's wage. The final decision by Balde and his agent is expected in December, and Roma may not give up on bringing him to the Italian capital until the last moment.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini is pressing the club's management and ownership for at least two signings in the January transfer window, as a thin squad struggles under the weight of congested fixtures. Corriere della Sera reported the coach's push ahead of the winter session. The most pressing issue is the attack, where resources have become very limited. Gasperini continues to rely mainly on Soulé and Malen, and Rodrigo Mora is likely to complete the front three again tonight against Sassuolo, having started both in Udine and at Old Trafford. Alternatives exist, but the options for genuinely changing the look of the department are limited. The absences of Dybala and Pellegrini weigh heavily. Dybala could return after the international break, but his physical condition remains a question mark. Pellegrini's situation is more complicated, with his return appearing further away. In recent weeks there had even been talk of possible surgery, a hypothesis on which no definitive clarification has yet emerged. The difficulties extend beyond the front line. Midfield rotation has been reduced to a minimum, with Cristante and De Roon forced to shoulder a particularly heavy workload during the Koné emergency. Over the summer Gasperini had chosen to rely on just four central midfielders, to guarantee continuity and give everyone space. The recent struggles may now lead him to reconsider that decision. Hence the request for at least two additions to increase selection options and handle the double commitment of Serie A and the Champions League. They do not necessarily have to be two strikers: the discussion with the club will define where to intervene, taking into account technical priorities and market opportunities. Sporting director Tony D'Amico is already working to identify the right profiles and economically sustainable formulas. Gasperini has stressed what he considers necessary: to stay competitive across several fronts, a quality starting XI is not enough. Quality alternatives are also needed, especially when injuries concentrate in the same areas. January, this time, must deliver concrete answers.

Manu Koné could be a surprise inclusion for Roma against Sassuolo, with Il Romanista reporting this morning that the French midfielder may not only return to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad but could even start alongside Bryan Cristante. Until recently, Koné looked set to miss the final match before the international break. The situation has changed sharply after Zinedine Zidane left the midfielder out of France's squad for their matches against Italy and Turkey. That decision appeared to confirm that Koné needed more time to recover from the muscle injury he picked up against Real Madrid. Instead, Gasperini is reportedly considering handing him a starting place straight away. Koné has gradually recovered from the thigh problem, and his return would be important for a Roma midfield that has been asked to work overtime in recent weeks. Because France did not call him up, he will stay at Trigoria during the break with no further international commitments. Two steps will confirm whether the plan becomes reality. The first comes this morning, when Roma publish their list of players called up, which will show whether Koné is available. The second is this evening, when the official line-ups for the match against Sassuolo are announced. The fixture is scheduled for 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. Until then caution is needed, but a return to the starting XI for Koné after the latest news would be a real surprise for Gasperini and Roma.

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A's eleventh round, and Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad without Gianluca Mancini and Pierluigi Gollini. Mancini is out with a muscle strain in his right hamstring, and his recovery time will be monitored in the coming days. Gollini is struggling with a back problem that first emerged on the eve of the Manchester United game. Paulo Dybala, Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also absent. The Giallorossi are looking to move on from their European disappointment against Manchester United at Old Trafford and get their league campaign back on track. Losing Mancini removes one of the key figures from the defensive line, and Gasperini will have to rework his back four. Mile Svilar is also missing from the list, so the goalkeeping options are limited. The main positive news is the return of Manu Koné, who is back in the squad after the physical problem that had sidelined him. His availability is an encouraging sign, although it is not yet clear how he will be used during the match. Among the goalkeepers called up are Vásquez, De Marzi and Kilvinger. The defensive options are Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. The midfield includes Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli and Mora. The attacking group is Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni and Arena, with the young Maccaroni and Arena completing the forward line.

Manu Koné is back in contention for Roma, but Gianluca Mancini has been ruled out of tonight's Serie A clash with Sassuolo, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad list shows. The eleventh-round fixture kicks off at 20:45 at the Stadio Olimpico. Koné returns from a muscle injury he picked up against Real Madrid, and his availability is a welcome boost for Gasperini. It comes a day after the France midfielder was left out of the national squad by Zidane. Koné could even start alongside Cristante, though the final decisions will only be made this evening. Mancini is out with a strain to his right hamstring (flessore destro), a fresh problem for a defence already missing Rensch. That increases the chances of Leonardo Balerdi or Daniele Ghilardi starting from the first minute. Pierluigi Gollini is also ruled out, still struggling with a back problem, so Devis Vásquez will again be in goal, with the young goalkeepers Giorgio De Marzi and Kilvinger alongside him. Svilar, Dybala and Pellegrini are also unavailable. The squad named by Gasperini is as follows. Goalkeepers: Vásquez, De Marzi, Kilvinger. Defenders: Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli, Ghilardi. Midfielders: Cristante, De Roon, Koné, Pisilli, Mora. Forwards: Castro, Malen, Soulé, Maccaroni, Arena.

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to retain the front three of Soulé, Rodrigo Mora and Malen, according to a convergence of the main Italian dailies' probable line-ups published this morning on the eve of Roma's next fixture. Devis Vasquez is tipped to start in goal by six of the seven newspapers, while only Tuttosport suggests Pierluigi Gollini could return. Given the condition of the Italian goalkeeper, the Colombian is firmly favoured to start. The defence is where the picture is less certain. The most popular option is Ghilardi, N'Dicka and Hermoso. Leonardo Balerdi, tipped by Il Messaggero, Tuttosport and Corriere della Sera, and Gianluca Mancini, picked by Il Tempo, remain in contention. On the flanks, there is near-unanimous agreement: Molina on the right and Wesley on the left. There is also no doubt in midfield, where Gasperini is expected to rely again on the pairing of Cristante and De Roon. Up front, the choice also appears settled. Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen, who remains Roma's central attacking reference. The only dissenting voice is Tuttosport, which proposes Niccolò Pisilli in place of the Portuguese forward. The probable Roma line-up in a 3-4-2-1 formation is: Vasquez; Ghilardi, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, Cristante, De Roon, Wesley; Soulé, Rodrigo Mora; Malen.