Mora deal nearing completion as Roma pursue left-back targets

Roma remain alert to the possibility of signing Lyon winger Malick Fofana, with the club's interest in the Belgian prospect intensifying should the French side's Champions League fate be decided unfavourably. Fofana, born 2005, has been on Roma's radar for several weeks. Lyon have reduced their valuation of the player from at least €40 million to approximately €35 million, making the prospect more affordable for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's attacking department. The timing hinges on Lyon's qualification prospects. The club faces Fenerbahce in Champions League play-off matches scheduled between 18 and 26 August. Should Lyon be eliminated, Fofana — keen to play Champions League football — may look to leave France. Roma would then have the opportunity to negotiate on more favourable terms. The development comes as the club pursues other summer targets, including a move for Rodrigo Mora and a left-back, and follows a significant investment in Portuguese prospect Rodrigo Mora of the class 2007 vintage. Fofana's interest in Champions League participation could accelerate any move to the capital if Lyon's European ambitions are ended in the play-offs.

Anass Salah-Eddine will play no part in Roma's 2026–27 season after rejecting a move to Olympiacos. The full-back returned to Trigoria following the end of his loan spell at PSV, which opted not to exercise its purchase option on the 2001-born player. Gasperini has excluded him from the club's project, and Salah-Eddine did not participate in pre-season training or the squad's summer training camp in Wales. Salah-Eddine, who featured for Morocco at the World Cup, is now surplus to requirements at the Stadio Olimpico. An offer from Olympiacos arrived in recent weeks, but the player turned down the opportunity. He will remain outside the squad until a fresh exit option materialises.

Roma are actively monitoring several fullback options to strengthen their wide defensive ranks under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, according to director of sport D'Amico. The club is considering a number of profiles for the position, including Henrique, Udogie, and Cacciamani, as part of a planned squad refresh on the flanks. The Giallorossi are looking to complete their fullback contingent before the new season advances further. The pursuit of these defensive reinforcements reflects Gasperini's priority to shore up Roma's wide areas. Each candidate brings distinct qualities to the table, though all share the same primary objective of bolstering the club's lateral defence. The summer transfer window remains open for Roma to conclude negotiations and add depth to this critical area of the pitch.

Roma are pushing forward with the signing of Rodrigo Mora, an attacking left-back on his right foot whom head coach Gasperini has pursued for over a year. With the winger deal in its final stages, director of sport D'Amico has turned attention to filling another gap in the squad: a deputy full-back to rotate with Wesley, the Brazilian number 43. Molina arrived days ago, but another option remains essential. Three profiles are under close scrutiny: Luis Henrique of Inter, Cacciamani of Torino, and Udogie of Tottenham. Each presents distinct obstacles and attributes suited to Gasperini's system, in which full-backs must defend and cover the flanks while supporting the build-up and providing offensive thrust. The 19-year-old Lulli showed promise against Borussia Dortmund, but Gasperini expects more from his defenders on the wing. Among the trio, Udogie stands out as the most polished and dangerous prospect. The former Udinese player combines physical presence with ball-carrying ability to break down opposition defences. His Premier League experience, hindered by muscle injuries to the thigh and knee, has allowed him to develop as an additional midfielder. At 23, the academy product from Hellas Verona recorded 28 appearances for Tottenham last season. However, following Spence's departure to Inter, Tottenham are open only to a loan with an obligation to buy, whereas Roma are seeking an option to purchase.

Roma will open their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina in exactly one week's time, but face an injury concern over two key players. Wesley and Pisilli were both absent from a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, and their availability for the first league match remains uncertain. Wesley has an ongoing ankle problem that will be reassessed when training resumes at Trigoria in two days' time; Pisilli will undergo a similar evaluation on the same day. There is optimism both players will be fit for the clash with Fiorentina. Molina is expected to be the only recent recruit to start from the beginning against the Viola. Manu Koné requires further assessment before selection. Matías Soulé will operate on the left wing, with Paulo Dybala positioned on the right. Lorenzo Pellegrini, meanwhile, needs more time to recover from injury and will not be included in the squad for the match.

Roma will open their 2026-27 season at the Olimpico against Fiorentina on Monday, 24 August at 20:45, with director D'Amico still working to finalise the squad ahead of the summer transfer window's closure on Tuesday, 1 September at 20:00. Rodrigo Mora, a left-sided winger described as a long-term target for Gasperini, is close to joining from Porto, and the club expects at least one further reinforcement before the deadline. However, Gasperini is likely to start the campaign with roughly 10 or 11 players from last season's squad. Molina is expected to earn a starting berth against Fiorentina, but the other recent arrivals face obstacles to immediate prominence. Koulierakis is unlikely to displace Mario Hermoso in the defensive hierarchy, and Castro faces a similar challenge against Donyell Malen despite the winger's low-profile preseason. Mora, expected in Italy in the coming days, will need time to integrate into Gasperini's system; Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé are likely to retain their attacking partnership. Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the opener through injury, while Niccolò Pisilli hopes to return in the squad and Wesley is managing a minor ankle sprain sustained in Saturday's friendly against Borussia Dortmund.