Mora deal stalls as Porto demands easier terms; Roma eyes alternatives

Roma has resumed its interest in Christopher Nkunku of Milan after negotiations over Rodrigo Mora reached an impasse, with the club exploring a swap involving Matías Soulé. Roma's sporting director D'Amico remains committed to signing Mora on his own terms: €8 million for a loan with a fee, plus €42 million for an optional purchase clause attached to a five-year contract the Portuguese midfielder has already accepted. D'Amico will not shift on the structure despite concerns from Benfica president Villas-Boas. A definitive answer from Mora's side is expected in the coming hours. With coach Gian Piero Gasperini pushing for reinforcements, D'Amico has begun gathering fresh information on Nkunku, whose annual salary of €5 million net remains a financial strain on Roma's budget. A potential exchange involving Soulé could help bridge the gap, though the wages remain the primary obstacle. The uncertainty over Mora has created a ripple effect on Roma's pursuit of left-back targets, slowing talks for Tottenham's Udogie, Torino's Cacciamani, and Inter's Luis Henrique—the latter representing the most advanced negotiation of the three.

Matías Soulé has emerged as an unexpectedly valuable squad member for Roma ahead of the club's friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August at 17:30. Two months of uncertainty in the transfer market—with multiple enquiries but no formal offers—have left him as Roma's sole pure winger, securing his position as Gasperini eyes him for the Dortmund clash alongside Paulo Dybala. The German club itself conducted a June inquiry without following through on a move. Soulé's expected permanence comes as Roma now hosts a substantial Argentine contingent. Molina joined the group yesterday for his first training session, joining Dybala, Castro, and Soulé—a concentration of Argentine talent unseen since the year following the Scudetto, when Samuel, Batistuta, Cufré, Balbo and Cejas were at the club. The winger's willingness to stay has been constant; he wishes to play Champions League football but understands the club would consider any offer that arrived. His impressive performances across the capital and in pre-season fixtures have impressed the coach. Soulé's prospects are strengthened by injuries elsewhere: Lorenzo Pellegrini and Niccolò Pisilli remain sidelined, leaving the attacking midfield ranks thin. The former Juventus player, once in an outcast role, now offers Gasperini tactical flexibility heading into the competitive season.

Roma's pursuit of left-back Mora has stalled since Wednesday, with the two clubs locked in a valuation dispute. Roma are holding firm at €7 million for a loan with a right of purchase set at €43 million—a right that becomes an obligation if Mora reaches 60% of playing time and Roma qualify for the Champions League. Porto demand €10 million upfront and insist any option becomes compulsory on terms unrelated to Roma's league position, plus a sell-on clause on any future transfer. Director D'Amico has a maximum of four days to close the deal before exploring other targets, a pattern seen previously with Tresoldi, Castro, Read and Molina. Mora remains the profile Roma prefer: a 19-year-old talent commanding €2 million annually, with costs spread across five years. The club is already evaluating alternatives. Nkunku is one option; clarity on the Frenchman will emerge after Lyon's two-legged tie with Fenerbahçe for Champions League qualification. Fofana and Diao are also being considered. On the left flank, Roma like Luis Henrique but intend to sign him on loan with a purchase option. Cacciamani is the first choice; however, the gap with Torino remains wide—Roma have tabled €12 million (€10 million plus €2 million in add-ons) while the Turin club demand €20 million. Udogie is another option under review.

Roma's summer transfer activity has encountered obstacles on multiple fronts. The club's attempt to sign Rodrigo Mora from Porto has stalled after the Portuguese side rejected a handsomely paid season-long loan with a conditional obligation to buy, preferring certainty on a permanent sale. Roma remain willing to tender up to €50M for Mora but only with the right formula, given their intention to pursue further acquisitions before pivoting to alternative targets. Luis Henrique, available from Inter for €25–30M after the club secured Djed Spence, is hesitant about the move. The Brazilian winger is taking time to decide and is concerned that Roma already have two high-profile wing-backs in Wesley and Nahuel Molina. The capital club cannot begin negotiations on his personal terms until he commits to the project, and the longer a deal takes, the less likely it becomes given Roma's preference not to insist on players who lack enthusiasm. Gian Piero Gasperini may intervene to persuade the Inter player, who could benefit from rotation and his versatility in the squad. Roma and Inter both have Malick Fofana on their shortlist as a potential alternative on the flanks.

Roma is navigating a difficult spell in the transfer market, with multiple negotiations hitting unexpected obstacles. President Villas-Boas of Porto has hardened his stance on Rodrigo Mora's buyout clause, now demanding guaranteed payment terms and sell-on percentages that have brought the deal to a standstill. Separately, Luis Henrique remains reluctant to join Roma despite an agreement in principle between the club and Inter, concerned about competition from Molina and Wesley; Destiny Udogie has emerged as an alternative and is reportedly more open to the move. The complications extend beyond these two targets. Martinelli is said to be closing in on a move to Galatasaray, while Fofana is locked down by Lyon until their Champions League playoff matches, leaving manager Gian Piero Gasperini and the sporting directorate scrambling to reshape their recruitment strategy. Multiple promising avenues have either faded or become more difficult to pursue, piling pressure on the club to find solutions in a market that no longer tolerates further missteps.

AS Roma has confirmed a partnership agreement with Orodei, who will serve as a Gold Partner and Back Training Kit Partner. The deal was formalised at a meeting between Roma's Chief Revenue Officer Michael Gandler and Orodei President Antonio Maesano, with both parties emphasising shared strategic values and an ambitious vision for the future. The partnership was celebrated with a symbolic photo featuring Wesley, the Brazilian midfielder, wearing the official training kit personalised with the Orodei logo on the back. The collaboration reflects the club's continued expansion of commercial partnerships as it approaches the 2026–27 season. Following the signing, Orodei's delegation visited AS Roma's Historical Archive, exploring the club's memory, documents, and objects tied to the club's tradition and identity.