Mason Greenwood transfer at critical stage as Roma weigh wage demands and Milan offer Leão

Rome's radio stations offered contrasting takes on Roma's prospects heading into Sunday's visit to Como, with Endrick dominating transfer discussion and debate over the unconventional international break shaping preparation. Piero Torri suggested Endrick could develop into Gasperini's answer to Juan Fernando Muriel, saying: "Endrick for me could become the new Muriel of Gasperini, another player who, like Malen, when he gets the ball his first thought is the goal regardless of the role he would play." Lorenzo Pes compared the situation to last summer's protracted Zirkzee saga but expressed cautiously optimistic sentiment: "Endrick as a telenovela is very similar to Zirkzee's from last year, and I think we'll carry it with us for a long time. Last summer if he had left on loan there would have been excellent opportunities. Endrick is not playing despite Mourinho wanting to keep him, and Roma are watching. I hope the ending is not the same as Zirkzee—this time there are better foundations: Roma wants to sign a player there. If the squad stays close to the top of the table, I think you'll have to make an effort. Endrick has all the characteristics that appeal, and he is intrigued by Roma. Behind closed doors the contacts continue, it's a profile that appeals greatly." Torri added that Wesley has been in contact with Endrick, relaying: "There have been some conversations between Wesley and Endrick: 'Come here and have fun, with Gasp you score and play Champions League.' That's fine, in all transfer dealings these dynamics exist. For January I think there is the owner's willingness to make an effort." Alessio Nardo countered that Endrick does not match Roma's ideal profile, as "he is not the left-winger with right foot, he is not a winger." Gianluca Piacentini raised concerns about fielding Leonardo Balerdi and Matías Soulé together: "They are not Svilar and Koné. What scares me more is what the Argentines will do after the match than during it." Francesca Ferrazza noted the Como fixture's kickoff time as problematic: "How do you put a big match like Como–Roma at 12:30?" Stefano Carina praised Aurélien Tchouaméni's performance in international duty, saying "Doumbia is the best on the pitch, he has elegance and physical strength, you can see he is a top-level player. Our clubs slept, and Sporting took him away for €20 million. You'll see, they'll sell him for €50 million now." Roberto Pruzzo questioned the reported €600 million squad valuation, and Nardo Orsi observed that Como's squad, also valued at €580 million, was assembled far more economically—built from youth development at roughly €10 million outlay versus Roma's €400 million spend.

Roma could reopen talks with Jayden Oosterwolde during the winter transfer window after a summer move collapsed over medical concerns. The club had scheduled the defender's medical examinations before completing the deal, but assessments revealed a significant muscle tear that required surgery and an estimated three-month recovery. Roma chose not to proceed at that point, but have kept the 2001-born left-back on their radar. Director of sport Massimo D'Amico continues to monitor Oosterwolde's progress, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had already approved the move when it was being considered in summer, signalling how highly the former Parma player was valued for the project. The failed summer operation has not damaged relations between the parties. Roma will reassess Oosterwolde once he returns to full fitness and provides sufficient physical guarantees, with the January window offering a chance to revive negotiations that seemed all but done before the injury setback. A recent sign of sustained interest came during Roma's Champions League fixture against Istanbul, when Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and subsequently held talks with Gasperini and his staff. Much will depend on the Dutch defender's recovery and Roma's own evaluation, but he remains a profile to watch for the giallorossi's left flank.

Roma will renew their search for a forward in the January transfer window after failing to secure a speedster during the summer. The club saved money through the structure of the Rodrigo Mora deal and is monitoring both established and familiar targets for the position, according to Corriere dello Sport. Endrick, a Real Madrid forward, is on Roma's radar and could potentially leave on loan if his minutes continue to be limited. However, securing him would require negotiating a permanent option to buy, which Real Madrid are unlikely to grant. Jaime Leweling, who came close to joining in the summer, remains a target with a potentially reduced price tag after struggling for regular minutes. Jamie Gittens, who has yet to play in the Premier League this campaign, is also under consideration. Roma are interested in Giorgi Kvernadze, an emerging Serie A prospect at Frosinone, though convincing the club to sell mid-season will prove difficult. Luiz Henrique from Zenit is another option, though he is left-footed, which could complicate matters given Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé's fitness status. Buying in January typically carries a premium, but the article notes that new opportunities frequently emerge as players seek more regular football. The possibility remains that Mora could develop into the solution, potentially negating the need for another attacker.

Gian Piero Gasperini has reflected on his opening year as Roma head coach, emphasizing the importance of continuity and the contribution of Paulo Dybala to the club's ambitions. In an interview with La Stampa, Gasperini addressed his methods, the squad's defensive solidity and the competitive balance of Serie A after five fixtures. Asked about his impact at Roma beyond tactics alone, Gasperini said: "As in all situations, I believe the secret is to work well, with professionalism, and then have good players available, excellent people, a fine club and an enthusiastic environment. It is a bit like when you work in vineyards: you must have all these components at your disposal." On how a strong defence is built, he added: "It depends; sometimes these are characteristics unique to teams. There are seasons when offensive play prevails. But ultimately, when you play at the top level, the formations rewarded are those capable of defending and attacking." When asked directly whether he personally persuaded Dybala to remain at Roma, Gasperini stated: "I certainly believed that Dybala, as a great champion, had to remain absolutely at Roma. But the most important will was his own, united with that of the club and the entire environment." On the wider Serie A landscape, Gasperini noted that after five matches it remains early to draw firm conclusions, but described the campaign as likely to be very balanced. He identified Cagliari and Frosinone as the sides that have impressed him most in the opening rounds. On his broader philosophy, Gasperini emphasized that paths forward are never straight: "There are always cycles, you go high, then you go down. And it is precisely in those moments that you must have the strength to restart and to believe."

Roma travel to Como for a Serie A encounter on Sunday at 12:30 for matchday six, immediately after the international break. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi and Mario Hermoso, Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks, and Marten de Roon and Manu Koné in midfield. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are set to operate in the attacking third, with Donyell Malen leading the line. Competition for places remains open in several positions: Evan N'Dicka and Balerdi are competing for the third centre-back slot, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are battling for a spot in the advanced midfield alongside Pellegrini. The selection is being shaped by ongoing injury concerns across the squad. Roma arrive still near the top of the league table but must recalibrate after two weeks disrupted by international departures. For Gasperini, the priority is assessing the condition of players returning late from their national teams and rotating the squad without sacrificing defensive stability in what is expected to be a challenging away fixture. Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, will field a 4-2-3-1 setup and attempt to exploit home advantage and their attacking resources. Historically, Roma hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record, with 13 victories compared to Como's 7, and 8 draws across 28 Serie A meetings. The most recent encounter came on 15 March 2026 at the Sinigaglia, where Como won 2-1. Roma took the lead through Donyell Malen's penalty on 7 minutes, but Como reversed the result in the second half with goals from Douvikas and Diego Carlos. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN via smartphone, PC, tablet or the official website. Official lineups will be announced approximately one hour before kick-off.

Roma will renew their search for a forward in the January transfer window after failing to secure a speedster during the summer. The club saved money through the structure of the Rodrigo Mora deal and is monitoring both established and familiar targets for the position, according to Corriere dello Sport. Endrick, a Real Madrid forward, is on Roma's radar and could potentially leave on loan if his minutes continue to be limited. However, securing him would require negotiating a permanent option to buy, which Real Madrid are unlikely to grant. Jaime Leweling, who came close to joining in the summer, remains a target with a potentially reduced price tag after struggling for regular minutes. Jamie Gittens, who has yet to play in the Premier League this campaign, is also under consideration. Roma are interested in Giorgi Kvernadze, an emerging Serie A prospect at Frosinone, though convincing the club to sell mid-season will prove difficult. Luiz Henrique from Zenit is another option, though he is left-footed, which could complicate matters given Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé's fitness status. Buying in January typically carries a premium, but the article notes that new opportunities frequently emerge as players seek more regular football. The possibility remains that Mora could develop into the solution, potentially negating the need for another attacker.

Roma travel to Como for a Serie A encounter on Sunday at 12:30 for matchday six, immediately after the international break. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Leonardo Balerdi and Mario Hermoso, Nahuel Molina and Wesley on the flanks, and Marten de Roon and Manu Koné in midfield. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are set to operate in the attacking third, with Donyell Malen leading the line. Competition for places remains open in several positions: Evan N'Dicka and Balerdi are competing for the third centre-back slot, while Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are battling for a spot in the advanced midfield alongside Pellegrini. The selection is being shaped by ongoing injury concerns across the squad. Roma arrive still near the top of the league table but must recalibrate after two weeks disrupted by international departures. For Gasperini, the priority is assessing the condition of players returning late from their national teams and rotating the squad without sacrificing defensive stability in what is expected to be a challenging away fixture. Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, will field a 4-2-3-1 setup and attempt to exploit home advantage and their attacking resources. Historically, Roma hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record, with 13 victories compared to Como's 7, and 8 draws across 28 Serie A meetings. The most recent encounter came on 15 March 2026 at the Sinigaglia, where Como won 2-1. Roma took the lead through Donyell Malen's penalty on 7 minutes, but Como reversed the result in the second half with goals from Douvikas and Diego Carlos. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN via smartphone, PC, tablet or the official website. Official lineups will be announced approximately one hour before kick-off.

Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro will arrive back in Rome on Thursday after three weeks away with Argentina, leaving head coach Gian Piero Gasperini just one day to assess their fitness before the match against Como. The trio will not train on Thursday, needing time to recover from a 13–14 hour transatlantic flight and adjust to the time difference after an extended spell away from the club. Friday's training session will be Gasperini's first opportunity to evaluate their condition on the pitch—a crucial window given the toll a long absence across the Atlantic can take both physically and mentally. With so little preparation time, the initial expectation is that all three may start on the bench. Castro was already considered a candidate for such a role, though Soulé and Balerdi present greater uncertainty about their readiness. Rodrigo Mora or Lorenzo Pellegrini could replace Soulé in the squad, while Evan N'Dicka remains the most natural solution in defence. However, a match lasts 90 minutes, and all three Argentine players retain the capacity to become decisive from the bench—a possibility Gasperini clearly understands. The timeline is tight: the players depart Argentina following a farewell celebration linked to Lionel Messi, then face the long journey home and the immediate challenge of reintegration ahead of the Como fixture.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is poised to start for Roma at Como on Sunday lunchtime as Gian Piero Gasperini prepares a tactical masterclass against Cesc Fàbregas. The Roma midfielder has spent the international break working intensively at Trigoria to restore his physical condition and has positioned himself as a strong candidate for a starting place. The fixture promises to be a refined chess match between two coaches renowned for their strategic approach; the pair already registered counter-moves and in-game adjustments in their two direct meetings last season that shifted match momentum. Pellegrini's versatility is set to be the tactical switch of the game. Should Fàbregas confirm a four-man defence in his starting 4-2-3-1, Gasperini will deploy Pellegrini on the attacking midfield line, free to move between the lines and supply the attacking pair of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. This setup is designed to remove reference points for Como's centre-backs and break the opposition's pressing lines. Roma's current strength lies in their capacity to adapt to the opponent's reading of play. In their last meeting by Lake Como, when Como switched to a three-man defence, Roma suffered from defensive escalation and had to shift Pellegrini into an unnatural wide position on the right. On Sunday, Gasperini's response will be far more fluid and effective. Should Fàbregas move to a three-man line mid-match, Roma will redraw their attacking setup without losing balance: Dybala on the right, Pellegrini in his favoured left position, and Malen as the central pivot. This variety of solutions is also supported by alternatives on the bench, where Matías Soulé and young Rodrigo Mora offer guarantees to replace either Dybala or the Dutch forward in the closing stages.

Roma's full-backs have become a cornerstone of Gian Piero Gasperini's push to the top of Serie A, a marked shift from last season when they proved problematic. Wesley and Nahuel Molina are now among the club's key strengths, and both will start when Roma resume the league campaign against Como, where they will face manager Fabregas. The turnaround reflects Gasperini's tactical evolution since arriving at the club: in his first season, Wesley was the only defender fully convincing on the flanks, while Zeki Çelik had to make do elsewhere. Now the picture is entirely different. Gasperini has uncovered Emanuele Lulli in the course of the season, and Molina has gradually built his fitness, delivering quality and assists to Roma's attacking phase. For the Como fixture, Gasperini plans to deploy Molina on the right and Wesley on the left. The selection reflects not just Roma's attacking ambitions but also Gasperini's defensive strategy: by using two attacking full-backs, he aims to stretch Como's wide players—Baturina on one flank and Diao on the other—and occupy them throughout the match. Wesley, the more naturally offensive of the pair, will be tasked with driving forward and supporting the build-up play. Molina is likely to carry greater defensive responsibility, balancing his own contributions with the need to contain Como's threats on the wing.

Gian Piero Gasperini will deploy Nahuel Molina and Wesley as twin wingers in Roma's visit to Como, harnessing simultaneous attacking thrust down both flanks to counter Cesc Fabregas's side. With Molina fully recovered and Wesley in continued form, Roma will field two genuine wide operators capable of delivering width, high pressing and chances for the attacking midfielders. The tactical choice targets Como's possession-based play built around Baturina and Diao's unpredictability; Molina and Wesley are instructed to close down Como's wide references and attacking midfielders immediately, forcing them away from build-up play into long balls. In possession, the overlapping runs of Molina and Wesley will create lateral chains with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, opening space for crosses and inside passes. Last season Roma's right wing relied solely on Wesley alongside the converted Zeki Çelik, but the club now possesses one of Serie A's strongest selections of wide midfielders. Gasperini's side has already created thirteen goalscoring actions from wide midfielders this season—second in the league behind Inter's fourteen. Wesley leads with seven goal contributions, followed by Molina on four and eighteen-year-old Emanuele Lulli, an academy product promoted to the first team, who has added two decisive contributions and demonstrates the depth of alternatives available on the flanks. A key feature of Gasperini's system is the tactical flexibility of both players. Wesley and Molina can interchange wings during matches without loss of effectiveness, alternating deep play and crosses with cuts inside on their stronger foot to link with the attacking midfielders. This constant switching prevents opposing defences from finding fixed reference points and allows Roma to vary attacking approaches throughout the game.

Zeki Çelik produced a costly error in Turkey's match against Italy in Bursa, clearing a corner kick directly to Alessandro Bastoni, who opened the scoring for the Azzurri. Italy dominated the fixture in a redemptive performance after losing to Belgium on Friday. Çelik's mistake was immediately seized upon by social media users, with Roma supporters among those criticising the defender's display. One Roma fan wrote: "La spazza Celik" (Çelik the sweeper), while others joked about whether a 'Çelik-cam' video would emerge—a reference to footage released by DAZN following Çelik's first friendly for Juventus. The Turkish international has endured a difficult start to his spell in Serie A, facing criticism not only from Roma fans but also from his country's supporters.