Mora in limbo as Roma eye Fofana and Schade alternatives

Antonio Nusa remains a distant prospect for Roma, with progress on a move from Leipzig proving difficult. The Norwegian winger appeals to the Giallorossi, but the transfer is complex. Market expert Fabrizio Romano assessed the situation: "From the point of view of feasibility, little has been done on Antonio Nusa to Roma. As of today, Leipzig have no need to sell him after the sale of Diomandé. For this reason, the Norwegian player should be considered a frozen track for the Giallorossi market at present." The impasse reflects Leipzig's reluctance to part with a key player, having already completed the departure of another. Roma's priority target remains Mora, with Lyon's Fofana in the background as an alternative option.

Roma continue to work on bringing Rodrigo Mora to the club but are preparing contingency options as negotiations progress. Fofana has emerged as an alternative target, with Roma planning to propose a loan with an obligation to buy under certain conditions, similar to their Mora offer. Head coach Gasperini continues to push for Mora's arrival and the player's family support a move to Roma, viewing the club as ideal for his development. Contacts have continued in recent days, though formulas, clauses and details still need to be finalised to determine if the deal is genuinely feasible. Progress on Luis Henrique has stalled. While Roma and Inter maintain good relations and a broad understanding, there is no economic agreement in place and the operation is not close to completion. Henrique's camp appreciates Roma's technical project but contractual terms remain a stumbling block, and Roma currently have other market priorities elsewhere. Gabriel Martinelli's wages make a Roma move impossible at present. Antonio Nusa, targeted by Roma, faces no pressure to leave Leipzig following Diomandé's departure, leaving the Norwegian forward's path to Roma frozen for now.

Roma face Borussia Dortmund today at 17:30 in their final pre-season fixture with a squad stretched by injuries and departures. Wesley suffered a right ankle distortion yesterday, the same injury that troubled him during the Wales retreat, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus muscle strain) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (expected back only by mid-September) on the absentee list. Gasperini has just 23 players available, including only 3 goalkeepers and 16 outfield players — 8 of them defenders. Manu Koné and Nahuel Molina, who only joined the group on Tuesday, are still building fitness. With 15 days until the summer window closes, Roma's squad position has become critical. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. When asked about his team's competitive strength compared to last season, Gasperini responded pointedly: "According to you?", highlighting shortages on the wings, in attack and in midfield, where just three players are fit today. The defence has conceded 11 goals across pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet, making today's encounter a crucial test before the Serie A campaign begins against Fiorentina.