Massara departs as Roma seeks €60m in sales within a month

Malick Fofana is a 21-year-old Belgian winger being tracked by Roma whose career trajectory has been interrupted by serious injury but who possesses the technical and physical attributes to become one of Europe's elite talents. Born in Aalst on 31 March 2005 to a Guinean father and Filipino mother, Fofana moved to Olympique Lyon in January 2024 for €17 million plus €5 million in bonuses. In his first six months at the French club he made 21 appearances and scored 4 goals, contributing to Lyon's dramatic survival. The 2024–25 season marked his breakthrough: 41 appearances yielding 11 goals and 6 assists, which attracted attention from Chelsea and Liverpool, with his valuation reported at €60 million. However, a severe ankle sprain with accompanying lesions requiring surgery in October 2025 sidelined him for approximately five months and severely disrupted his campaign. He returned to action yesterday, playing 20 minutes in Lyon's 2–1 Champions League preliminary loss to Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic. Fofana's profile combines technical excellence with exceptional athleticism. He is naturally right-footed but has frequently operated as a left-sided winger for Belgium, capable of beating defenders, providing precise assists, and running the channels with the stamina more typical of a midfield player than a conventional full-back. Before joining Lyon, he developed at Gent, where his output was modest but his play-making and dribbling drew interest across Europe. Paulo Fonseca remarked of him: "I expect more from him, he needs to understand that this is his moment." Now, after a difficult season, Fofana seeks to prove he is not merely another promising young prospect destined to fade but rather one of European football's most pure talents.

Roma's pursuit of a right-back has hit difficulties on two fronts. Feyenoord rejected a 29.5 million euro offer for Givairo Read, which included 4.5 million in bonuses; the Dutch club demands a guaranteed 30 million without add-ons. Simultaneously, Atlético Madrid turned down Roma's opening bid for Nahuel Molina—a 17 million euro proposal structured as a loan with an obligation to buy (bonuses included). Atlético have signalled they require 20 million euros to part with the Argentine defender, arguing that if they must sacrifice the player, the fee must justify it. Molina, who spent a brief holiday in Rome with his family last November, has also requested wages Roma have not yet matched; he earns approximately 2.5 million euros annually in Spain and is seeking a significant increase. Sporting director Florian D'Amico is not prepared to exceed his current budget for Read. Signing Molina would save Roma 10–12 million euros in transfer fees compared to the Feyenoord option, with those savings potentially redirected toward the offensive winger position—specifically Antonio Nusa, though RB Leipzig continue to demand 60 million euros for the Norwegian.

Roma defeated Newport 4–1 in a pre-season friendly in Wales, with Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk combining in attack. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring from a regista role in the 37th minute before Castro converted a penalty kick in the second half. Koulierakis added a third from a Dybala assist, and Matías Soulé finished with a curling strike; Newport scored a consolation goal. Donyell Malen was absent due to fever. Ryan Friedkin attended the match and will weigh in on ongoing transfer activity. Roma's pursuit of Feyenoord winger Read has stalled after the Dutch club raised their asking price to over €30 million overnight on Monday. The demand prompted the club to shift focus to Atlético Madrid's Molina, with Roma lodging an offer of approximately €17 million (including bonuses). Molina, a former Udinese player, currently earns €2.8 million annually in Spain. Other defensive targets remain under consideration, including Savona and Fresneda, though funds saved on Read may be redirected to securing an additional winger alongside Molina. Roma has narrowed Torino's valuation for Cacciamani and a decisive meeting with the Turin club is scheduled today. The club also plans a final push for Nusa, with Lyon midfielder Fofana lined up as a backup option if that approach fails.

Roma secured a 4–1 friendly victory over Newport County at Rodney Parade under Gian Piero Gasperini, with goals from Hermoso, Castro (penalty), Koulierakis and Soulé. The Welsh club, preparing for their EFL Cup first round against Wimbledon in a week, provided determined opposition, but Roma's control improved on their previous outing against Cardiff City. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 37th minute after a slick passing move, latching on to Castro's lay-off and firing past Wright. Castro then converted from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Hermoso was brought down by Cameron, marking the Argentine's first goal in a Roma shirt. Koulierakis headed the third three minutes later from Dybala's assist—also his first for the club—before Soulé curled in the fourth from the edge of the box at the 80th minute. Donyell Malen remained at the club's base in Hensol with a fever, while Wesley returned from an ankle problem. A late goal from Cameron provided consolation. Roma's next fixture is a final pre-season test in Britain on Saturday at Brighton.

Roma defeated Newport 4–1 in a pre-season fixture against the League Two side, with standout performances from players operating in new roles. Mario Hermoso played as a central midfielder alongside Neil El Aynaoui, opening the scoring with a run from deep and earning the penalty that led to Roma's second goal. Castro converted that spot-kick and added a second later in the match, while Koulierakis also found the net as Roma sealed a comfortable victory. Gasperini deployed a familiar attacking shape with a number 10 and two forwards, pairing Paulo Dybala with Castro in the final third and Cristante behind them. The midfield experiment with Hermoso proved effective, offering Roma creative options from a deeper position. Once Roma established control, the side managed the encounter well to secure the win. The positive takeaway extends beyond the scoreline: the goals from Castro and Koulierakis provided encouraging early evidence of attacking depth as Roma continue their pre-season preparations.

Roma defeated Newport 4–1 in a pre-season friendly in Wales, with Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk combining in attack. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring from a regista role in the 37th minute before Castro converted a penalty kick in the second half. Koulierakis added a third from a Dybala assist, and Matías Soulé finished with a curling strike; Newport scored a consolation goal. Donyell Malen was absent due to fever. Ryan Friedkin attended the match and will weigh in on ongoing transfer activity. Roma's pursuit of Feyenoord winger Read has stalled after the Dutch club raised their asking price to over €30 million overnight on Monday. The demand prompted the club to shift focus to Atlético Madrid's Molina, with Roma lodging an offer of approximately €17 million (including bonuses). Molina, a former Udinese player, currently earns €2.8 million annually in Spain. Other defensive targets remain under consideration, including Savona and Fresneda, though funds saved on Read may be redirected to securing an additional winger alongside Molina. Roma has narrowed Torino's valuation for Cacciamani and a decisive meeting with the Turin club is scheduled today. The club also plans a final push for Nusa, with Lyon midfielder Fofana lined up as a backup option if that approach fails.

Roma's attacking department has been decimated ahead of the 2026–27 season, with coach Gian Piero Gasperini now overseeing just five senior forwards for the role — down from ten options at the end of January. The remaining quartet consists of Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Robinio Vaz, with young prospect Arena also available. The collapse mirrors Gasperini's repeated public calls for investment in attack. Speaking exactly a year ago on 4 August 2025 at the English national team's St. George Park facility in Burton Upon Trent, Gasperini outlined his philosophy: "It concerns all clubs that spend large sums on attackers. The offensive department is the most sought after and most expensive. Teams with strong attacking players are more competitive." That same summer, Roma pursued Fabio Silva and Jadon Sancho without success, settling on a loan move for Romain Bailey as a last-minute solution. By the end of 2025, Roma had assembled eight attacking options — Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Soulé, Baldanzi, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — to fill three positions in Gasperini's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. The winter transfer window swelled that number to ten through the departures of Bailey and Baldanzi and the arrivals of Malen, Vaz, Bryan Zaragoza, and Lorenzo Venturino. However, only Malen performed consistently. With just twenty days until the league campaign begins, Roma faces a critical shortage. The club is reportedly making another approach for Nusa and preparing a move for Fofana to bolster the depleted ranks.

Roma's transfer strategy dominated Roman radio discussion on 4 August 2026, with prominent voices divided over the club's pursuit of Read and wider recruitment targets. Alessandro Vocalelli argued Roma should not rush into signings, stating: "I prefer to wait to sign an important player rather than sign a mediocre footballer straight away." He criticised Gasperini's squad retention, suggesting players like Svilar—who has reached a level where "it would have been a bargain to sell him for 60 or 70 million"—should have been sold. Luigi Ferrajolo warned that failing to land Read would represent a third failed negotiation, citing systemic problems: "The problem with Roma is that it cannot get the players it wants." Francesco Balzani claimed Roma believed it could close Read's deal on 4 August, having moved close to Feyenoord's asking price, but stressed the club must now look elsewhere. He also highlighted a paradox over Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has been out of contract for weeks with an agreement in place—yet awaiting Friedkin Group approval to finalise terms. Roberto Pruzzo advocated shifting focus away from Read: "Roma should go for Dodo instead of investing in a 20-year-old prospect. This year the Giallorossi must seek certainties and it would be better to go for a proven player. Before investing 30 million on a footballer who already knows Serie A." Ugo Trani predicted Roma would pursue Fofana if Nusa fell through, noting that the squad must be ready in 20 days, with the left-winger position still incomplete.

Gianluca Mancini has declared his intention to spend his entire career at Roma following his contract renewal with the club. Speaking from the Welsh training camp, the defender said: "Roma for me is home. Then in football you never know, but I hope it can be like this: Roma for life." Mancini also discussed his recent performances in the Derby della Capitale, saying he did not anticipate scoring twice and only fully grasped the significance during a break: "Before it seemed to me that I had only done my duty, it was like scoring two goals against Milan, Juventus or Inter. Then I understood." Mancini underlined his emotional attachment to the club, referencing a tattoo he pledged to get in December if Roma qualified for the Champions League. "SPQR is a beautiful inscription and it sums up the bond I have with the city and with the club," he said. He also praised the role of those supporting him, noting: "I am not crazy, but you cannot command the heart. When I signed we hugged each other. And he was happy to see me happy." On the absence of Lorenzo Pellegrini from the squad, Mancini described the midfielder as a lifelong friend and an important figure in the dressing room: "But he is missed by everyone, we hope he can reach us soon. He is an important figure for the dressing room and as a player he can give us a great helping hand."

Roma are finalizing the signing of Givairo Read, a right-back born in 2006 from Feyenoord, after the Dutch club accepted their offer on 3 August. The deal is worth €25 million plus approximately €2.5 million in bonuses, and Read has been pushing for the move following talks with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the prospect of playing Champions League football. The transfer is expected to be completed imminently, with bonuses to be finalized. Read is set to join Roma in Wales, where the club play their second friendly against Newport on 4 August at 20:00 (live on DAZN). Read's arrival will fill the right-back slot left by Zeki Çelik's departure. Gasperini is still hunting three more signings, with a left winger his priority. RB Leipzig's asking price for Nusa remains €60 million, prompting Roma to explore alternatives including Stuttgart's Leweling and Lyon's Fofana, though there are fitness concerns over the latter. A potential return move for Tel has also emerged as a possibility, contingent on Tottenham's pursuit of Manchester City's Savinho; if that deal goes through, Frankfurt's interest in Tel could create an opening for Roma to revive their interest in the French winger.

Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unsigned but appears increasingly likely to remain at Roma after breakthrough progress in contract renewal negotiations. The midfielder has been without a club since 30 June and is awaiting final approval from ownership to complete the deal. An agreement in principle has been reached, but the Friedkin Group's definitive sign-off is still needed to finalise terms. Pellegrini, Roma's number 7, is training independently while the squad conducts its preseason camp in Wales. He is eager to rejoin the group at the earliest opportunity. In a telling sign of his commitment, his athletic trainer Dario Maggesi posted a social media image showing Pellegrini working out in Roma's yellow-and-red training shorts—a detail that underscores his desire to stay with the club. The renewal represents the final piece of Roma's summer business after retaining Paulo Dybala, who elected to extend his stay, while midfielder Zeki Çelik departed for Juventus.

Devyne Rensch has declared himself fit and ready for the new season after overcoming a foot injury, speaking exclusively from Roma's pre-season camp in Cardiff. The Dutch defender has become Roma's first-choice right-back following Zeki Çelik's departure to Juventus, and believes the rigorous demands of new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will help him develop both as a player and as a person. "Gasperini brings a lot of energy, mentality, and tactical work," Rensch said. "He motivates you, pushes you to exceed your limits and beat your opponent. He's a very demanding coach who makes you work hard, but he's excellent both on and off the pitch in developing every aspect of the player and the person." Rensch also reflected on his emotional signing for Roma earlier this year, recalling the tears of joy he shed at Trigoria. He scored a crucial equaliser in Roma's Champions League-securing match against Parma—before Donyell Malen's penalty—and has praised the competitive spirit now building at the club ahead of simultaneous challenges in Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League. When asked about a potential arrival of fellow Dutchman Givairo Read, Rensch expressed enthusiasm: "It would be nice to have another Dutch player with us. Malen and I could help him settle in and integrate quickly." Rensch acknowledged that while the Parma goal was special, the focus must now turn to the challenges ahead. "That's the past," he said. "We need to move forward and concentrate on what lies in front of us, because now we must work even harder to be competitive across all competitions."