Mora determined to join Roma as family adds pressure to Porto exit

Roma are stepping up efforts to strengthen their midfield wing options, with Tottenham's Udogie emerging as their primary target. The London club have rejected a loan-with-option-to-buy arrangement and are insisting on a mandatory purchase clause instead. Tottenham value the former Udinese player at approximately €25 million, though D'Amico is working to reduce that asking price. Udogie has already given his approval and is keen to return to Serie A. With other targets failing to materialise, Roma have identified the left winger as a key addition to their squad depth. Tottenham's stance on a permanent deal suggests serious intent from both clubs to reach an agreement, provided the financial terms can be bridged. The player's willingness to move back to Italian football strengthens Roma's hand in negotiations.

Rodrigo Mora is suffering as negotiations between Roma and Porto over his transfer remain stalled, according to the player's lawyer Luis Henrique. Speaking to Fabrizio Romano, Henrique said: "Vi assicuro che il ragazzo sta soffrendo per questa situazione. Non vorrei essere in lui" (I assure you the boy is suffering in this situation. I wouldn't want to be in his position). He added that Mora wants to fight and play but has found himself as the third choice, and that "L'operazione alle condizioni che vuole il Porto è praticamente impossibile, solo Mendes può ottenere 59 milioni per una riserva" (The operation under Porto's conditions is practically impossible; only Mendes could get 59 million for a substitute). Roma are not letting go of the Portuguese teenager and will hold fresh talks with Porto in the coming hours to unlock the deal. The 2007-born Mora is pushing for the transfer, with his entourage and family also pressuring the club. However, Roma and Porto have yet to reach an agreement. The Portuguese club want simpler conditions for a buyout obligation to trigger and are waiting for Roma to make a move forward. Roma director D'Amico is working to break the deadlock. Should the Mora deal collapse, the club are considering Malick Fofana of Lyon as an alternative.

Radio commentators have offered sharp assessments of Roma's summer transfer activity. Piero Torri told Radio Manà Manà that Roma has made poor decisions in the market, spending €90 million without selling anyone. He singled out Çelik and Summerville as problematic acquisitions, and questioned the logic of signing a centre-forward when three were already at the club—citing Castro as an unnecessary purchase. He also criticised the €13 million outlay for a sixth defender as lacking strategic sense. "With €90 million you've taken two reserves and you haven't filled the gaps," Torri said. Alessandro Santoro noted that Gasperini described Roma as a diesel engine—a contrast to last season—in a calm pre-match conversation before the Trastevere fixture. Santoro added that Koulierakis was not a necessary signing and that speculation about Ziolkowski moving to Saudi Arabia came to nothing. Stefano Petrucci offered a different angle, suggesting that Gasperini has now identified the core problem at Roma—and that it was not sporting director Massara. "Gasperini has understood what the real problem at Roma is and it wasn't Massara: now with D'Amico he is more at ease, but he is very worried about the situation," Petrucci said.