Martinelli rejects Galatasaray move: Arsenal winger wants to stay in top European league

Roma are monitoring Malick Fofana, the Lyon winger, with Galatasaray now showing interest and initial contact between clubs reported. The French club's asking price has fallen to potentially below €40 million in recent weeks, though Fofana's injury record last season remains a concern. Gasperini's side face Borussia Dortmund on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park in their final pre-season friendly. Wesley has been ruled out after suffering a slight ankle sprain while on international duty in Wales, and will miss the match as a precaution. The squad list for the fixture includes defenders Rensch, Koulierakis, Ndicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The news comes after Roma's defeat to Brighton in the previous friendly.

Roma have turned their attention to Malick Fofana, a Lyon winger born in 2005, as a Plan B after negotiations over Rodrigo Mora stalled. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is convinced by the Belgian, who has long been on Roma's radar. However, Roma now face competition from Turkish side Galatasaray, who have entered the running after reportedly being rejected by Martinelli. Initial contact has begun with Fofana's representatives and Lyon, who are demanding at least €40 million to sanction his departure. Gasperini and Roma's sporting director D'Amico have identified the winger as a potential target, though the growing interest from other clubs could complicate negotiations. The arrival of Galatasaray in the hunt signals intensifying competition for Fofana's signature in what could develop into a multi-club transfer race.

Roma continue to await a response from Porto regarding Mora while scouting reinforcements for their attacking options. The club has Fofana of Lyon under observation and Nkunku on their shortlist. The French forward is outside Amorim's project at his current club, having left Milan for personal reasons, and is awaiting developments in the transfer market. Barcelona have initiated first contacts with his representatives, with Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund also interested. Nkunku's preference remains the Premier League, though no active negotiations are currently underway. Roma remain watching the situation closely as they weigh their options in the final weeks of the transfer window. The competition from Barcelona and other elite European clubs suggests any move for the attacker would face significant obstacles, particularly given his stated preference for English football.