Molina set for Olimpico debut as Gasperini weighs attacking options ahead of Fiorentina

Alayah Pilgrim spoke to the club after Roma's Serie A Women's Cup fixture against Ternana, reflecting on a hard-fought victory. "It wasn't an easy match, on this field and against this team," she said. "We encountered a lot of difficulties, physically and in the duels, but we won with courage and hunger. We're happy." Pilgrim called the result a strong foundation for the season ahead. "It's a good start for us, but we need to work even harder in view of the Women's Cup and the season," she said. Roma's next match comes at home at Tre Fontane against Sassuolo. Pilgrim added: "The next match will be at home: we'll return to Tre Fontane, where we'll face Sassuolo. I can't wait for next week to come. Against Sassuolo we need to do good work."

Roma director Tony D'Amico is methodically working through the final stretch of the transfer window, weighing opportunities in the coming days after completing the lengthy negotiation to bring Rodrigo Mora to Trigoria. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified two priority targets: a central midfielder and a winger, though the club will pursue deals within its financial parameters, potentially using loan arrangements to keep costs down. The squad is competitive but lacks the numerical and qualitative depth required for a genuine step forward. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, an English winger born in 2004, has emerged as the latest attacking target. The London-born player, currently limited in rotation at Chelsea and previously signed by Borussia Dortmund for £50 million, fits Gasperini's tactical principles and would arrive on a low-cost, salary-efficient deal. The midfielder pursuit has already hit obstacles: negotiations with Udogie broke down over misaligned financial conditions and mutual desire, while Cacciamani from Torino remains a live option only if the Serie A club drops its €20 million valuation. The player from Jesi made his mark with Juventus Stabia in last season's second division. If the Cacciamani approach falters, D'Amico is working on alternative profiles available via loan with purchase option arrangements. On potential outgoings, Jan Ziółkowski remains on the market—no formal offer has reached Trigoria despite Saudi League interest in the Polish defender. Similarly, rumours of Manchester City's interest in Manu Koné have produced no concrete approach or bid on D'Amico's desk. Should significant offers arrive and prove convincing, Roma stands ready to recruit top-tier replacements. Two new signings plus contingent replacements remain on the table. The window is far from closed, with ambition maintained but financial discipline intact.

Roma are closing on a deal to sign Alessio Cacciamani from Torino, with the gap between the two clubs narrowing to around €2 million. Director D'Amico is working multiple fronts to complete Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the season's official start in two weeks. Cacciamani, born in 2007, is one of Italy's most promising young talents and already capped at Under-21 level. He made his Serie A debut in Torino's colours and starred in Serie B for Juve Stabia during the 2025-26 season. Roma's latest offer stands at €12 million, with Torino's asking price just €2 million higher—a gap the Giallorossi believe is bridgeable for both sides. He would serve as a backup left winger to the ever-present Wesley, with Molina and Rensch occupying the other flank. Cacciamani and two attacking midfielders would give Gasperini's Roma the profile needed for a Champions League campaign. In parallel, D'Amico is working on an exit that would generate profit on the books. Jan Ziółkowski is expected to receive an official offer from Saudi Arabia totalling around €20 million—a significant margin on the €6 million paid to Legia Warsaw for the Polish defender last summer. Matías Soulé is also a possible departure and could facilitate a move for Endrick, though no formal bids have arrived for him yet, including from AC Milan, which had shown interest in recent days without making a concrete advance. The club faces a deadline of two weeks before the season officially begins, creating logical urgency to complete its business across the transfer market.

Roma are closing on a deal to sign Alessio Cacciamani from Torino, with the gap between the two clubs narrowing to around €2 million. Director D'Amico is working multiple fronts to complete Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the season's official start in two weeks. Cacciamani, born in 2007, is one of Italy's most promising young talents and already capped at Under-21 level. He made his Serie A debut in Torino's colours and starred in Serie B for Juve Stabia during the 2025-26 season. Roma's latest offer stands at €12 million, with Torino's asking price just €2 million higher—a gap the Giallorossi believe is bridgeable for both sides. He would serve as a backup left winger to the ever-present Wesley, with Molina and Rensch occupying the other flank. Cacciamani and two attacking midfielders would give Gasperini's Roma the profile needed for a Champions League campaign. In parallel, D'Amico is working on an exit that would generate profit on the books. Jan Ziółkowski is expected to receive an official offer from Saudi Arabia totalling around €20 million—a significant margin on the €6 million paid to Legia Warsaw for the Polish defender last summer. Matías Soulé is also a possible departure and could facilitate a move for Endrick, though no formal bids have arrived for him yet, including from AC Milan, which had shown interest in recent days without making a concrete advance. The club faces a deadline of two weeks before the season officially begins, creating logical urgency to complete its business across the transfer market.

Roma will begin their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina within 24 hours, looking to build on last season's third-place finish. Nahuel Molina is ready for his debut on the right wing, with Devyne Rensch as backup, while Wesley has fully recovered from a ankle problem and will start on the left. The main tactical uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield slot alongside Paulo Dybala and behind striker Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé currently holds the advantage for that position after impressing the coaching staff during pre-season training, losing weight and setting aside transfer speculation. Rodrigo Mora poses a rival claim and is eager to make his debut. However, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini retains an alternative tactical option: deploying Bryan Cristante as a trequartista. The 1995-born midfielder has been used successfully in that role several times last season within the 3-4-1-2 formation, providing defensive stability and strong results. Should Gasperini opt for Cristante in advance, the midfield pivot would comprise Manu Koné alongside either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli. The final decision will come only after the training session on the eve of the match, pending assessments of Aynaoui's fitness following the World Cup and the condition of young Italian academy product Pisilli, who has only recently rejoined the group.

Roma's transfer activity is entering its most intense phase with 11 days remaining in the summer window. The club is prioritising the signing of a left-back and left winger, with the attacking department potentially reinforced only by a loan deal, possibly with a purchase option. The American ownership's strategy is taking shape through over €100 million invested to strengthen Gasperini's squad while lowering both wage bill and average age. The green line of investment—acquisitions targeting both immediate impact and long-term development—is evident across the squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini have agreed wage cuts on their renewals. Among the notable signings are two strikers and a Greek defender, contributing to an squad now containing 11 players under 25: Ziolkowski (21), Koulierakis (22), Ghilardi (23), Rensch (23), Pisilli (21), Koné and El Aynaoui (25), Mora and Vaz (19), Castro (21) and Soulé (22). These are players ready to perform now and into the future under a manager like Gasperini, who has consistently developed and promoted emerging talent. Potential arrivals of Fofana and Luis Henrique—or even just one of them—would further increase the number of young players in the squad. The possibility of selling academy product Ziolkowski and Matías Soulé remains under consideration as part of the squad restructuring.

Roma are closing on a deal to sign Alessio Cacciamani from Torino, with the gap between the two clubs narrowing to around €2 million. Director D'Amico is working multiple fronts to complete Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the season's official start in two weeks. Cacciamani, born in 2007, is one of Italy's most promising young talents and already capped at Under-21 level. He made his Serie A debut in Torino's colours and starred in Serie B for Juve Stabia during the 2025-26 season. Roma's latest offer stands at €12 million, with Torino's asking price just €2 million higher—a gap the Giallorossi believe is bridgeable for both sides. He would serve as a backup left winger to the ever-present Wesley, with Molina and Rensch occupying the other flank. Cacciamani and two attacking midfielders would give Gasperini's Roma the profile needed for a Champions League campaign. In parallel, D'Amico is working on an exit that would generate profit on the books. Jan Ziółkowski is expected to receive an official offer from Saudi Arabia totalling around €20 million—a significant margin on the €6 million paid to Legia Warsaw for the Polish defender last summer. Matías Soulé is also a possible departure and could facilitate a move for Endrick, though no formal bids have arrived for him yet, including from AC Milan, which had shown interest in recent days without making a concrete advance. The club faces a deadline of two weeks before the season officially begins, creating logical urgency to complete its business across the transfer market.

Roma will begin their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina within 24 hours, looking to build on last season's third-place finish. Nahuel Molina is ready for his debut on the right wing, with Devyne Rensch as backup, while Wesley has fully recovered from a ankle problem and will start on the left. The main tactical uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield slot alongside Paulo Dybala and behind striker Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé currently holds the advantage for that position after impressing the coaching staff during pre-season training, losing weight and setting aside transfer speculation. Rodrigo Mora poses a rival claim and is eager to make his debut. However, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini retains an alternative tactical option: deploying Bryan Cristante as a trequartista. The 1995-born midfielder has been used successfully in that role several times last season within the 3-4-1-2 formation, providing defensive stability and strong results. Should Gasperini opt for Cristante in advance, the midfield pivot would comprise Manu Koné alongside either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli. The final decision will come only after the training session on the eve of the match, pending assessments of Aynaoui's fitness following the World Cup and the condition of young Italian academy product Pisilli, who has only recently rejoined the group.

AS Roma are close to completing the signing of Jayden Oosterwolde from Fenerbahce, the Dutch defender who will fill one of two remaining gaps in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. The 2024-born left-back will serve as Wesley's backup and can also play as a centre-back if needed. The deal is structured as an expensive loan of €1.5 million plus a conditional obligation to buy worth around €15 million, with a further €2 million in add-ons that are unlikely to be triggered. Oosterwolde will sign a five-year contract worth €1.5 million net per season. Oosterwolde previously played in Italy between 2022 and 2023 at Parma and has already agreed terms with Roma. The club have reviewed his medical records ahead of closing the move. The defender is currently recovering from a muscle problem but is expected to return to full fitness within two weeks, allowing him to train with the squad in the near future.

Roma will begin their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina within 24 hours, looking to build on last season's third-place finish. Nahuel Molina is ready for his debut on the right wing, with Devyne Rensch as backup, while Wesley has fully recovered from a ankle problem and will start on the left. The main tactical uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield slot alongside Paulo Dybala and behind striker Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé currently holds the advantage for that position after impressing the coaching staff during pre-season training, losing weight and setting aside transfer speculation. Rodrigo Mora poses a rival claim and is eager to make his debut. However, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini retains an alternative tactical option: deploying Bryan Cristante as a trequartista. The 1995-born midfielder has been used successfully in that role several times last season within the 3-4-1-2 formation, providing defensive stability and strong results. Should Gasperini opt for Cristante in advance, the midfield pivot would comprise Manu Koné alongside either Neil El Aynaoui or Niccolò Pisilli. The final decision will come only after the training session on the eve of the match, pending assessments of Aynaoui's fitness following the World Cup and the condition of young Italian academy product Pisilli, who has only recently rejoined the group.

Matías Soulé has reclaimed his place in Roma's starting XI for Sunday's match against Fiorentina after an impressive pre-season, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed. The Argentine winger had faced a difficult summer marked by transfer speculation and fitness concerns that drew criticism from Gasperini during the early days of training. Now in top form following an exceptional preparation, Soulé will partner Paulo Dybala in an all-Argentine attacking three, with Donyell Malen completing the trident on the right. Soulé has edged out Rodrigo Mora for the starting berth, the same trio that finished last season in Roma's Champions League match against Hellas Verona. Elsewhere, Gasperini has confirmed the debut of Molina on the right wing, with fellow Argentine Castro expected to come off the bench given that Malen has not yet reached full fitness. Wesley returns to full availability at left-back after recovery, while Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are set to start midfield duties together. In defence, Mario Hermoso is favoured over Koulierakis. Gasperini has also promoted academy player Emanuele Lulli to the first-team squad following an impressive showing during the summer retreat. The coach said of Lulli: "He has demonstrated that he possesses the right characteristics to be part of Roma's squad. He will follow his development path."

Roma will begin the 2026–27 season at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow against Fiorentina with nearly 65,000 supporters expected, but the focus will be on Gasperini's trusted core of players rather than wholesale change. The coach has consistently praised a nucleus of squad members, and Paulo Dybala, Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini form the backbone of his plans. Dybala has impressed throughout pre-season, scoring seven goals during the summer training camp—two each against Cannes and Roma Primavera, plus strikes against Trastevere, Cardiff and Borussia Dortmund—while creating numerous assists. Gasperini said of the Argentine: "I am confident he will play more than in previous years, because I see Paulo determined and particularly strong. He has completed a preparation that perhaps he had not managed for some time, without injuries. Of course you always cross your fingers—last season he was very unlucky, getting injured kicking a penalty in Milan and a free kick with Torino. But physically he seems much more toned. Perhaps he no longer has the speed and shooting power of when he was young, but he has improved other qualities. At 32 he is in the prime of his technical and physical maturity, I think he will end up having a great season." The benefit will extend to Donyell Malen, who has sparkled whenever receiving Dybala's passes. Having Dybala at full strength does not merely add creativity and unpredictability—it generates roughly 20 per cent more danger across the entire attack, starting with the Dutch winger.