Mora deal nears completion as Roma pursue Fofana and Henrique

Roma have completed the signing of Rodrigo Mora from Porto on a permanent deal. Porto president André Villas Boas signed off on the transfer after extended negotiations to finalize terms. The Portuguese forward, born in 2007, will join Roma for €25 million plus 50 per cent of any future resale—a clause Roma can cancel by paying Porto a further €25 million. Mora has agreed a five-year contract and will arrive in the capital in the coming days for medical tests and to put pen to paper. Mora has held multiple conversations with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini in recent days as he pushed to complete a move to the Giallorossi. The transfer represents a significant investment in attacking reinforcement for Roma this summer, adding young talent to their forward line alongside existing options.

Roma made multiple attempts to sign Iván Fresneda from Sporting before ultimately pivoting to Nahuel Molina to strengthen their right flank. The club submitted two proposals to Lisbon, with the final offer reaching €30 million in total value—€25 million plus €5 million in add-ons—but Sporting rejected the bid. The Portuguese club views the 2004-born winger as a key part of its long-term project and was unwilling to negotiate. The Giallorossi had pursued Fresneda over recent months because his qualities aligned with their needs on the wing. His technical profile and youth appealed to Roma's recruitment strategy. When Sporting's resolute stance made the deal impossible to complete, Roma made the decisive move to sign Molina instead, addressing the same positional requirement with an alternative candidate who was available on acceptable terms.

Rafael Leao has been offered to Roma and the Friedkin Group once again by agent Jorge Mendes on behalf of AC Milan. The Portuguese winger does not feature in Ruben Amorim's plans at Milan and remains in search of a new club. Roma have tracked Leao for several weeks but have chosen not to make a move, partly because his salary is considered too high. Roma are currently focused on other targets to strengthen their squad under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club's director of sport D'Amico is prioritising younger profiles in Rodrigo Mora and Malick Fofana, viewed as additions that will help Roma return to Champions League football.

Roma are actively exploring departures in the current transfer window. Jan Ziółkowski is in line to leave the club, with several Arab clubs monitoring the Polish defender. The 2005-born centre-back has attracted interest due to his youth and established international pedigree, and Roma are awaiting offers. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini would prefer to move on Daniele Ghilardi instead, but Ziółkowski commands greater market appeal. The arrival of Koulierakis has squeezed playing time for the young Pole, as the new signing can operate as left-centre-back in place of Mario Hermoso or centrally to rotate with Evan N'Dicka. Matías Soulé also remains available for transfer, though no offers have yet reached Roma's Trigoria training ground for the winger. Updates on potential departures are expected in the coming days as the club looks to balance the squad and generate funds. Gasperini's preference for which defender to sell underscores the tactical flexibility now available following recent recruitment, with multiple defensive options enabling the manager to make strategic choices about squad composition.

Pierluigi Gollini has announced he is expecting a son. The Roma goalkeeper shared the news on social media, writing: "Life, at times, gives you what you've always dreamed of; we were very fortunate." He and his partner Ariel Serra, whom he married in May 2025, posted photos of Nike baby shoes they had already purchased for their child. The couple were expecting a boy. Gollini's teammates responded warmly to the announcement on social media, including messages from Niccolò Pisilli and Jan Ziółkowski. Former Roma player Kostas Tsimikas also commented, as did Chiara Nasti, wife of Mattia Zaccagni and formerly Gollini's sister-in-law.

Roma played their final pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, with kickoff at 17:30. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini left Molina on the bench and deployed Lulli at left-back in Wesley's absence. Donyell Malen led the attack in a 3-4-2-1 formation that also featured Mile Svilar in goal, a back line of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, midfielders Devyne Rensch, Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante and Lulli, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé in support. The match offered Gasperini a chance to assess the squad's development ahead of the new season. Dortmund lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under coach Kovac, with Gregor Kobel in goal and Serhou Guirassy leading their attack. Roma had several players available on the bench, including De Marzi, Pierluigi Gollini, Koulierakis, Castro, Manu Koné, Molina, Jan Ziółkowski, Mannini, Reale, Robinio Vaz, Morucci and Daniele Ghilardi.