Mora joins Roma as fourth summer signing; Gasperini awaits wing reinforcements

Gian Piero Gasperini held talks with Roma's hierarchy at the Trigoria training ground as the club moves into the decisive phase of its transfer business ahead of the season's opening fixture. During the meeting, Gasperini restated his need for three more additions: two strikers and a left winger. Tony D'Amico is close to wrapping up a deal for Porto's attacking midfielder Rodrigo Mora at a cost of approximately €50 million, a figure set as the maximum limit by new chief executive John Galantic. Galantic's involvement has provided Gasperini with the clarity and direct communication with ownership he has long sought. However, the executive had to apply the brakes on the prospect of an immediate double signing in attack due to the club's financial constraints. Once Mora's transfer is completed, Roma will shift its full focus to the left flank. Destiny Udogie remains the top target, though Luis Henrique of Inter—available on loan with an option to buy—and Alessio Cacciamani of Torino are keeping the options warm. Torino have softened their demands for Cacciamani, lowering their asking price to €15 million.

Roma are accelerating their pursuit of left-back Alessio Cacciamani, with sporting director Tony D'Amico working toward an agreement with Torino. The 2007-born defender, who impressed in Serie B last season with Juve Stabia, is increasingly close to joining on terms of €13 million fixed plus €2 million in bonuses, narrowing the initial gap between the two clubs. With the summer transfer window closing in three weeks and Roma's Serie A debut against Fiorentina at the Olimpico approaching, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad-building intensifies on the flanks. The club urgently requires reliable alternatives on both wings. Destiny Udogie, valued at around €25 million by Tottenham, remains a possibility but is in early talks, while the pursuit of Luis Henrique appears to be cooling as Roma shift focus to other targets to complete the final pieces Gasperini needs before the season starts.

Roma are preparing to submit a fresh offer for Torino winger Alessio Cacciamani in the coming days, according to reports from transfer specialists Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto. The 19-year-old from Jesi, born in 2007, has attracted the Giallorossi's attention on the left flank. Torino president Cairo may soften his stance if Roma table a higher bid, though the Granata's asking price of €20 million remains on the table. Cacciamani's profile appeals to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini for tactical reasons: the winger has experience playing in a more advanced left-wing role during youth football, giving Roma flexibility should they secure another left-side defender. His ability to operate in multiple positions could prove valuable in attack as well. The move fits into Roma's broader summer recruitment strategy, which also involves activity on the flanks and comes amid pursuit of other targets including Luis Henrique and Rodrigo Mora, with the latter nearing completion.

Roma are closing in on Inter winger Luis Henrique as the club accelerates its summer recruitment drive. The Giallorossi have tabled an offer of €28 million plus bonuses, narrowing the gap with Inter's €30 million valuation of the Brazilian. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Henrique as the ideal profile to provide balance across Roma's flanks, given his ability to operate on either wing. The move is described as being on the verge of completion, pending only the player's final approval. The Henrique pursuit forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Roma's wide options. The club has already agreed a verbal deal with Porto for playmaker Rodrigo Mora on a loan arrangement worth €7 million with a fixed purchase option set at €43 million. Gasperini has identified both moves as priorities to build a squad combining creativity and solidity in the attacking lanes. The existing wide contingent includes Wesley, Nahuel Molina, and Devyne Rensch. With these final pieces in place and the gradual return of internationals such as Manu Koné, Gasperini's tactical blueprint is taking shape ahead of the season's opening fixture.

Roma are close to securing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born winger who stands under 1.70m tall and favours dribbling over physical play, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shapes a younger, lighter and more attacking squad than last season. Mora will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for the number 10 role. The club are still hunting one or two additional wingers or attacking midfielders and one or two fullbacks to complete the XI. Gasperini's vision prioritises technical ability over physical presence, targeting players built for a high-octane attacking system. Mora's profile — incisive on the ball but less accustomed to the physical demands of Italian football and prone to struggle when forced to chase opponents — fits the template. Donyell Malen is expected to carry the goal-scoring load among the wider players initially, with alternatives in Castro and Robinio Vaz, who offers greater physical stature. Matías Soulé, should he remain, offers a middle ground. Fullbacks too are selected for their attacking prowess: Wesley on one flank, with options including Molina, Cacciamani, Luis Henrique or Udogie on the other. Manu Koné emerges as the vital equilibrium force in midfield, tasked with providing defensive cover and structure to an otherwise offence-heavy setup. However, he remains a persistent departure risk, a potential weakness in an otherwise cohesive recruitment strategy.

Roma and Inter have reached a verbal agreement over Luis Henrique, with the Brazilian winger's final approval the remaining step in a move that could see him join the Giallorossi. Inter are willing to sell only on a permanent basis and are considering Roma's latest offer of €28 million plus bonuses. The transfer comes as Roma continue to strengthen their flanks ahead of the new season, with Luis Henrique capable of playing across both wings and having previously impressed at San Siro in an Inter shirt. The deal advances Roma's ambitions to balance their squad during the demanding phase of the campaign starting imminently. Wesley currently operates on the flank for the Giallorossi, and Luis Henrique would provide competition and depth in a role critical to Roma's tactical setup. The two clubs maintain strong relations, which has facilitated negotiations. On the same day the Luis Henrique discussions progressed, Roma also found a verbal agreement with Porto for playmaker Rodrigo Mora on a costly loan deal valued at €7 million with a conditional right of purchase set at €43 million.

Roma are closing in on Inter winger Luis Henrique as the club accelerates its summer recruitment drive. The Giallorossi have tabled an offer of €28 million plus bonuses, narrowing the gap with Inter's €30 million valuation of the Brazilian. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Henrique as the ideal profile to provide balance across Roma's flanks, given his ability to operate on either wing. The move is described as being on the verge of completion, pending only the player's final approval. The Henrique pursuit forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Roma's wide options. The club has already agreed a verbal deal with Porto for playmaker Rodrigo Mora on a loan arrangement worth €7 million with a fixed purchase option set at €43 million. Gasperini has identified both moves as priorities to build a squad combining creativity and solidity in the attacking lanes. The existing wide contingent includes Wesley, Nahuel Molina, and Devyne Rensch. With these final pieces in place and the gradual return of internationals such as Manu Koné, Gasperini's tactical blueprint is taking shape ahead of the season's opening fixture.

Roma's defence, which finished as Serie A's second-best last season, has shown alarming fragility during their pre-season tour of Britain. The Giallorossi conceded eight goals across three friendlies—four against Cardiff, one against Newport, and three against Brighton—with the tally rising to 11 when including a 3–3 draw against Cannes. Against Brighton on 8 August, Gasperini made wholesale defensive changes after Roma had shipped three goals in 49 minutes, introducing Ghilardi and new arrival Koulierakis while withdrawing N'Dicka and Hermoso. The ivory-coast central defender had failed to close down Ayari's double, prompting Gasperini to turn to the bench and shout "Let's change." Hermoso, managing an ankle problem, allowed Rutter to nearly extend the lead moments after the 3–0. Earlier defensive lapses against Cardiff exposed deeper issues: Ahsford's opener came after N'Dicka slipped and a rebound off Rensch, while Salech's second followed a costly Svilar error on a dangerous Wesley backpass. El Aynaoui was substituted at half-time after a misplaced pass that set up Ayari's second goal, and Rensch drew criticism for poor decision-making. The unit that had anchored Roma's recent success now appears fragile heading into the season. Gasperini acknowledged the work ahead, saying "the team is struggling to switch back on," highlighting the scale of the challenge to restore defensive solidity before competitive fixtures begin.

Roma's English pre-season tour ended in concern after a 3–0 defeat at Brighton laid bare significant defensive lapses and attacking impotence. The performance revealed delays both in physical conditioning and the absorption of tactical patterns, leaving Roma having conceded 11 goals across their last four friendly outings. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini expressed open frustration on the touchline, demanding greater midfield screening and emphasising the urgent need to activate the team's intensity. The match highlighted glaring defensive oversights and minimal cutting edge up front. Devyne Rensch came under constant pressure on the counter-attack from Yankuba Minteh, while Mario Hermoso had an off day in marking Georginio Rutter. Donyell Malen showed signs of being short of match fitness. The attacking partnership of Santiago Castro and Paulo Dybala made little impression on goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. With two weeks remaining before Roma's competitive league debut, Gasperini will have crucial time to accelerate both recruitment and work at Trigoria to correct these problems.