Massara departs as Roma director; Gasperini rejects Napoli approach

Marten De Roon has completed his transfer to Roma from Atalanta on a permanent deal. The Dutch midfielder, born in 1991, will join head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at the club after spending much of his career under the Giallorossi boss at Bergamo. Roma will pay Atalanta a maximum of one million euros in performance-based bonuses with no fixed fee component. De Roon expressed his desire to play Champions League football under Gasperini's management, and the move was confirmed after the Atalanta midfielder communicated his wish to leave the club. Roma have been pursuing reinforcements in midfield following interest in other targets, with De Roon now providing the additional depth Gasperini has sought for the squad. The midfielder's familiarity with the coach and experience at the highest level make him a natural fit for the Giallorossi's Champions League campaign this season. His arrival strengthens Roma's options in central midfield as they prepare for domestic and European competition. De Roon arrived in the capital on 30 August, touching down at Fiumicino airport at 12:10 local time. The deal was structured as a gentleman's agreement worth one million euros, with the transfer completed as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Roma's fixture schedule has taken shape following UEFA's announcement of the eight Champions League dates, with October emerging as an exceptionally demanding month that will test Gian Piero Gasperini's squad across two competitions. The congestion begins immediately. After a Serie A match against Atalanta at the Olimpico on Saturday 5 September, Roma make their Champions League debut on Thursday 10 September at Istanbul against Fenerbahce, followed by a trip to Torino on 13 September at 12.30. The real intensity arrives after the international break: nine matches in less than a month. Roma visit Como, then host Real Madrid on 14 October—a reunion with José Mourinho at the Olimpico. Three days later comes another notable occasion: Genoa, managed by Daniele De Rossi, also visit Rome on the weekend of 16–17 October. Roma then face Slovan Bratislava at home on 20 October for a third consecutive Olimpico fixture, immediately followed by a major encounter at the San Paolo against Napoli. Gasperini's side host Cagliari in the first midweek league fixture on 27 October, then travel to face Udinese on 30–31 October. The stretch concludes with Manchester United away on 3 November and Roma-Sassuolo at home, after which players can finally recover during the second international break. Roma's squad includes double-digit numbers of international players, complicating rotation. November fixtures include Parma away on 21 November, then a heavyweight clash at PSG on 25 November, with Monza at home closing that week. December will be equally demanding, featuring Bologna away, Sporting at home, and the first derby against Lazio. Champions League resumes in January with the final two league-phase matches: Atalanta away on 16 January and AEK Athens away on 19 January, sandwiched around a home game against Udinese. The eighth and final league-phase match against Lille comes on 27 January at home, followed by an away trip to Monza. The date for Roma's Coppa Italia round of 16 tie against either Cagliari or Verona remains to be determined from among 2 December, 16 December, and 13 January.

Roma have completed the signing of defender Balerdi on a loan deal with a right of purchase set at €15 million, which can become an obligation under certain conditions. The italo-Argentine arrived at Ciampino airport at 17:45 on 29 August, with the final details of his agreement settled that morning. Medical examinations are scheduled for the evening. The deal strengthens Roma's defence, which the club describes as potentially the strongest in 7–8 years. Balerdi joins a squad that has undergone significant defensive reinforcement during the current transfer window.