Massara pursues double raid: Juventus close to Çelik, now targets Pellegrini

Roma are accelerating their search for attacking reinforcements in the closing stages of the transfer window, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini pressing for additions on the left wing and ideally two new wide players overall. Director Tony D'Amico is evaluating multiple targets, with several possibilities still in play. The most advanced option is Luiz Henrique of Zenit. Roma have raised their offer to €5 million for a loan plus €30 million for a permanent deal, though the Brazilian is tempted by strong interest from Botafogo to return to South America. Alongside this pursuit, the club is tracking alternatives in the Bundesliga and Premier League. For Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart, a versatile player capable of covering multiple wide roles, Roma have tabled a proposal worth €40 million overall (€5 million loan, €35 million obligation to buy). Stuttgart value the player at €50–55 million, complicating negotiations. The path to Jamie Gittens of Chelsea also remains open—a profile Gasperini particularly appreciates—though everything hinges on whether Chelsea will entertain a loan arrangement. The pace and scope of Roma's manoeuvring will ultimately depend on departures, especially the situation surrounding Matías Soulé. Despite Gasperini's public backing, Soulé's agent is exploring last-minute options to secure him more playing time. Fulham have already moved, and Newcastle are now ready to table an official offer.

Robinio Vaz has accepted a transfer to Hull City after days of uncertainty, according to Fabrizio Romano. The young forward's decision came overnight following his omission from Gian Piero Gasperini's squad for Roma's trip to Lecce on 31 August. The exclusion reflected Roma's hope that Vaz would resolve the transfer in time. The move is structured as a loan worth €2 million with a non-obligatory buy option set at €30 million. Vaz is expected to complete the formalities and join his new club today. Gasperini had held back the forward from the squad specifically because the transfer remained possible, and Roma hoped for clarity within hours. The deal's completion now opens the path for Roma to recruit an attacking player to complete their forward line, as the manager has prioritised strengthening that area of the squad.

Roma are pursuing an attacking winger in the final hours of the summer transfer window, with Tony D'Amico overseeing a three-way contest between Luiz Henrique, Jamie Leweling and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has approved all three profiles, but the club must decide which deal offers the best chance of completion before the 1 September deadline. Luiz Henrique remains the closest to joining. Roma have constructed the operation with Zenit Saint Petersburg and reportedly reached an agreement with both the Russian club and the Brazilian player on a loan deal worth approximately €5 million with a purchase option set at €30 million. However, Botafogo are pressing hard to bring the player back to Brazil, though this scenario has not been confirmed as widely as other reconstructions of the talks. Roma continue to work in parallel on Jamie Leweling from Stuttgart. The club's initial proposal—approximately €5 million for the loan plus €35 million for a permanent transfer—was deemed insufficient. Stuttgart value the German international much higher, with demands reaching around €50 million. Leweling appeals for his versatility: he can play as an attacking winger but also operate as a full-back, addressing two squad needs. On Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Roma are keeping dialogue open with Chelsea in hope that in the final market hours the Blues may allow a loan with a purchase option potentially convertible to an obligation should certain conditions be met. This opening has not yet arrived, but Trigoria have not closed the door. Matías Soulé remains in the background. No Premier League offer substantial enough to trigger his departure has arrived yet, but the English market could still move in the final hours. Should a satisfactory proposal arrive and Soulé depart, the scenario would change again: Roma could pursue two attacking signings instead of one. Dybala, Malen, Castro, El Aynaoui and other squad members are unaffected by this late uncertainty.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified a striker and a left-back as the remaining pieces needed to complete the squad ahead of tomorrow's away fixture at Lecce. Gasperini said: "To complete the team we need a piece that closes that section. A left-back and a forward have remained. Lulli has filled in somewhat, I have always believed in him, he is giving important responses but we cannot load such large responsibilities on him. Last season we had Angeliño, Tsimikas, Çelik, Wesley and also Rensch." Gasperini has most of his squad available for the trip to Via del Mare, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch expected to return to group training next week. Leonardo Balerdi was officially confirmed as a new arrival this morning, joining fellow recent additions Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina among the squad.

Leonardo Balerdi has given his first interview as a Roma player, describing his arrival from Marseille as a move to convince Gasperini and climb the defensive hierarchy. The Argentine former Marseille captain spoke to the club's official channels about his childhood, Gasperini's interest dating back to his Atalanta years, and his experiences elsewhere. "I am truly happy and very calm," Balerdi said. "From the moment I arrived here in Rome they welcomed me with incredible affection and warmth." Bareldi is included in Roma's squad for the trip to Lecce on 31 August at 18:30 for the second Serie A round. Roma come into the fixture on the back of a 4–0 home win against Fiorentina and aim to maintain that momentum. However, Devyne Rensch remains unavailable and will return to Gasperini's disposal on Tuesday; Lorenzo Pellegrini is also sidelined. Jan Ziółkowski and Robinio Vaz are absent due to transfer matters. Gasperini has already moved to strengthen the squad, completing the arrival of Marten De Roon from Atalanta within 24–48 hours. De Roon, who boasts over 60 international caps, was released by Atalanta after many years at the club and was not in their plans. Gasperini explained the reasoning behind the De Roon move at his pre-match press conference: "De Roon came about quickly in the space of 24–48 hours. He had a situation at Atalanta after many years and did not fit their plans. There was this opportunity and I made contact with Percassi. They made the decision very quickly and left him free to decide. So El Aynaoui has the chance of a new experience. From an economic perspective it is important because it gives us the chance to move on another role. De Roon is intact even if he is an advanced age; he will enter a strong group that wants to be protagonists. Two captains have arrived and I believe we give this squad a strong physical turning point that it needs, as well as personality. Marten is Dutch like Malen and balances out the Argentines. I am certainly happy and I think from this aspect we come out solid." With three days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma continue to pursue reinforcements for Gasperini, particularly a left-winger with a right foot. The club is now pushing hard for Luiz Henrique, a Brazilian winger born in 2001 at Zenit. According to Fabrizio Romano, talks are ongoing between Roma and Zenit over Henrique, who has signalled openness to the move and made Roma his priority. The two clubs must now reach final agreement.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Serie A matchday 2 fixture against Lecce. Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz are absent from the squad list, both players close to departing the club. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable through injury. The 24-man squad features goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini. In defence, Gasperini has included Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield options are Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora, while attack is covered by Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.