Molina deal: how Roma's Atlético Madrid signing will impact 2026-27 accounts

Gian Piero Gasperini cancelled a scheduled interview with Sky Sport on 7 August, declining to discuss Roma's transfer activity and the club's pre-season training camp in Wales. Instead, the coach held a meeting with Roma's ownership at their Hensol resort base, focusing on the status of ongoing negotiations. The gathering included CEO John Galantic and centred on contract renewals, inbound moves, and player departures. Two deals were discussed: Lorenzo Pellegrini has formally agreed to renew his contract for one season, but paperwork remains unsigned. The Molina transfer is reportedly agreed in all its aspects but awaits a final procedural step. Gasperini's decision to skip the media appearance reflects the urgency of Roma's summer business with less than three weeks until Fiorentina visit the Olimpico for Serie A's opening day on 24 August. The club needs to accelerate its market activity, and the coach appears determined to prioritise action over words. Roma departed Wales for England on 7 August afternoon. Fans will next hear from Gasperini after Brighton's match against Roma, though the reference to waiting for Godot suggests uncertainty around whether clarity will then arrive.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has made a significant gesture towards AS Roma by signalling his willingness to renew his contract, accepting terms for a single year—potentially with an option for a second year subject to certain conditions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been instrumental in keeping lines of communication open with the midfielder, consistently expressing his desire to continue working with Pellegrini in his second season at the club. The two remain in regular contact. Roma's board has long delayed formal action on a renewal offer, but is now prepared to present an official proposal to the player. As of the evening of 6 August, no official offer had yet been formally submitted. Pellegrini's willingness to accept a reduced contract term reflects his commitment to remaining in the Giallorossi colours, despite the protracted nature of negotiations over the summer. Gasperini's backing has been crucial to narrowing the gap between the club and its captain, signalling that Pellegrini remains central to the coach's plans.

Roma are prioritizing Lyon winger Fofana as their main left-flank target, with head coach Gasperini backing the Belgian's profile. Sporting director D'Amico is pressing ahead in the transfer market after securing defender Molina, but Fofana's €45 million valuation brings caution: he missed significant time last season following an ankle injury sustained a year ago. Medical reports are encouraging, though Roma want full clarity before committing such an investment. RB Leipzig's Nusa, another attacking option, faces a steeper path to a deal after the Norwegian stated yesterday: "I have never expressed the desire to leave Leipzig." Real Madrid have offered to loan Endrick to Roma, who want to include a buyout clause modelled on the Nico Paz arrangement. The Brazilian could operate anywhere across the attacking line regardless of any potential departure by Soulé. Pellegrini's contract renewal also remains a priority.

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.

Royal Antwerp have submitted an official offer for Anass Salah-Eddine on a loan deal with a purchase option, according to reports. The 24-year-old left-back is not part of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's plans at Roma and has been excluded from the club's pre-season training camp in Wales. Roma's hierarchy has made clear that Salah-Eddine is set to leave, and discussions between the two clubs are ongoing while the Moroccan player considers his next destination. Roma have already begun reshaping their squad this summer, with the departure of Artem Dovbyk already concluded. Salah-Eddine does not fit Gasperini's tactical approach and is a priority for the club to move on. The player had previously rejected an approach from Olympiakos. Beyond Antwerp's interest, PSV Eindhoven and several other Eredivisie clubs are monitoring the situation and ready to step in should negotiations with the Belgian side stall.