Manchester City offer Aké to Roma as defender becomes available

Leonardo Balerdi was the standout performer on Saturday 24 October, when he scored twice in Roma's clash with Napoli at the Maradona and also secured a decisive point for the Giallorossi. His teammates left plenty of praise under his post on social media, but the most heartfelt message came from his partner, Giulia Ciancio, who wrote: "Vederti felice è la mia gioia. Vamos siempre amore." Balerdi's situation at the club is also in focus. His purchase option, or riscatto, is not in question at present. The deal is structured so that the obligation to buy becomes mandatory if the defender, born in 1999, plays at least 55% of the season's matches across all competitions, with at least 45 minutes on the pitch in each. The obligation would then be set at the same figure as the option. A variable mechanism has also been agreed. If Balerdi plays between 40% and 55% of the matches, the obligation is fixed at €11 million. A final clause protects Marseille from any attempt to keep the player out of the team to secure a discount: just 20% of matches played in the second half of the season would trigger the obligation at €9 million.

Roma have stepped up their interest in Olympiacos centre-back Lorenzo Pirola, sending scouts to Greece to assess the Italian defender up close, according to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur. Roma representatives reportedly attended several Olympiacos matches at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, including the derby on 11 October against Panathinaikos, which Olympiacos won 1-0 and in which Pirola played the entire match. The Giallorossi are said to be following the 24-year-old's development with the next transfer windows in mind. Pirola is a left-sided centre-back who came through the Inter youth sector and has already featured in Serie A for Salernitana. He moved to Olympiacos in the summer of 2024 and has since extended his contract until June 2028. Described as a young player with solid international experience, he could, given his technical qualities, be an interesting option for the defence of Gian Piero Gasperini. The interest is not new. Konur first reported Roma's interest in Pirola in December 2025, when he said the Greek club were then asking more than 15 million euros to open negotiations. The latest update suggests the monitoring has not stopped, although no official offers or negotiations have been reported so far. Source: Ekrem Konur (X).

Roma have a concrete chance of signing Real Madrid forward Endrick in January, according to transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, who spoke on Radio MARCA. Moretto said: "Roma and Milan are very interested. Above all Roma, it is a real possibility for January." The key issue is the playing time José Mourinho will give Endrick in the coming weeks. Despite the Portuguese coach's stated wish to keep him, the striker's future at Madrid is far from guaranteed. The Brazilian continues to find little space in the side and, if nothing changes, a loan move in the winter window could become a concrete option. Roma had already tried to bring Endrick to the capital during the summer and had reopened contacts for the player in recent weeks. Milan remain a significant rival, but Moretto believes the Giallorossi represent a particularly concrete lead. Much will depend on Mourinho's choices and on how much space the 20-year-old can carve out for himself between now and January.

Roma host Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 27 October at 20:45 in the ninth round of Serie A, with the game broadcast live on DAZN. Gian Piero Gasperini's side come into the fixture straight after a 3-3 draw at Napoli's Maradona, while Fabio Pisacane's Cagliari are looking to end a losing run after a 2-0 home defeat to Bologna. With only a short turnaround between matches, Gasperini may rotate several players. Svilar is still sidelined, so Gollini keeps goal. The main decisions are in defence: Mancini and Hermoso returned to the starting line-up against Napoli after both began the match on the bench against Slovan Bratislava, while N'Dicka has been one of the most used players in recent weeks. The Ivorian could be rested, opening a place for Balerdi, who is coming off a particularly positive run. Ghilardi and Koulierakis remain in contention. Wesley may start on the bench with Molina ready to return, while Lulli is gaining ground on the other flank. In midfield Gasperini must pick two from Cristante, de Roon and Pisilli, with the young midfielder able to find space during the game. Up front, the picture is clearer: Malen remains the central reference point, Soulé should keep his place after an excellent display at Napoli, and Mora may play alongside the Argentine, with Castro initially on the bench. Roma's injury list is significant. Svilar is still out with a fractured toe, Koné is sidelined with a first-degree tear of the hamstring, Dybala is out with a small calf injury, and Pellegrini continues his recovery from a high-grade lesion at the distal musculotendinous junction of the semitendinosus in his right thigh. Roma's probable line-up is Gollini; Mancini, Balerdi, Hermoso; Lulli, Cristante, de Roon, Molina; Soulé, Mora; Malen. Available substitutes: Vásquez, De Marzi, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Wesley, Rensch, Ghilardi, Pisilli, Castro. Gasperini has no suspended or cautioned players. The competing selections are Mancini-Ghilardi, Hermoso-Koulierakis, Balerdi-N'Dicka and de Roon-Pisilli. Cagliari are expected to line up in a 4-3-2-1 with Caprile in goal, Mina partnering J. Rodriguez in the centre of defence, and Zé Pedro and Obert completing the back line. The main doubt is in midfield, where Winks injured his back against Bologna and his fitness will be assessed up to the last hours. If he is ruled out, Gagliardini starts, with Romano and Adopo completing the unit. Maldini should start from the first minute, Fazzini is ahead of Massolin, and Kevin Carlos is ahead of Mendy as the centre-forward, with Nzola deeper. Idrissi and Felici are out with cruciate ligament ruptures. Cagliari's probable line-up is Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, J. Rodriguez, Obert; Romano, Gagliardini, Adopo; Fazzini, Maldini; Kevin Carlos. Cagliari have lost their last two league games, 4-0 to Monza and 2-0 to Bologna. Roma have the clear head-to-head advantage in Rome. There have been 49 official meetings at the Olimpico, with 26 Roma wins, 17 draws and six Cagliari victories. The most recent meeting in the capital came on 9 February 2026, when Roma won 2-0. Cagliari's last win in Rome was a 4-2 victory on 1 February 2013. The official line-ups will be announced about an hour before kick-off and will be updated live on the match page.

Evan N'Dicka praised Roma's fighting spirit after the Giallorossi came back from behind to draw 3-3 at Napoli's Stadio Maradona. The Ivory Coast defender shared his reaction on Instagram following the match. Roma returned from the Maradona with a point that confirmed the side's ability to recover from difficulties and stay in the contest until the final minute, a trait coach Gian Piero Gasperini's team has shown in this match. N'Dicka was among the standout figures of the evening, and his post reflected the mood in the Roma camp. N'Dicka wrote: "Una notte folle a Napoli. Abbiamo continuato a crederci, a lottare e abbiamo mostrato il nostro carattere fino al fischio finale." In English: "A crazy night in Naples. We kept believing, kept fighting, and showed our character until the final whistle."

Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi scored twice in Roma's clash at Napoli's Stadio Maradona on 24 October, and he earned warm praise from former Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who watched the game on television. Balerdi was one of the standout performers of the night, alongside McTominay. Hummels posted a message on social media addressed to Balerdi, writing "Bravo Leo". The two had got to know each other during the 2019-20 season at Borussia Dortmund. Balerdi, who previously played for Marseille, has been one of the most eye-catching figures in the Roma side in Naples. In the closing minutes, Evan N'Dicka, who was also outstanding against Hojlund, shared his own reaction online. He said: "Una notte folle a Napoli. Abbiamo continuato a crederci, continuato a lottare e mostrato il nostro carattere fino al fischio finale."