Mora talks stall; Fofana back in frame for Roma attack

Luigi Cherubini is on the verge of joining Serie B side Benevento on loan with a right of purchase that becomes an obligation upon the fulfilment of certain squad and individual conditions. The 2004-born winger will first sign a contract renewal with Roma through June 2029, extending his current deal that expires next June. The move has been in the works for a week but had not yet been finalised as of 14 August, held up by the delay in completing Cherubini's contract extension with the club. Cherubini, a former Sampdoria and Carrarese player, represents another piece of business on Roma's transfer agenda. Benevento manager Antonio Floro Flores addressed the situation at a press conference on 13 August ahead of the club's Coppa Italia round of 32 tie against Fiorentina. Flores said: "I know they have promised us Cherubini, the club has said 'if he leaves here he comes to you'. We welcome it, we are waiting for him with open arms." The transfer will add to the workload already on Roma's director of sport D'Amico's desk.

Roma are readying an improved bid for Torino left-back Alessio Cacciamani, a prospect born in 2007 whom head coach Gian Piero Gasperini rates highly. The club have asked sporting director D'Amico to continue talks after their initial offer of €12 million plus €3 million in bonuses was rejected. Roma are now poised to increase their bid to approach the €20 million valuation set by Torino for the player. Cacciamani spent the previous season on loan at Juve Stabia in Serie B and returned to Torino in June. Though Torino coach Abate holds him in high regard and the player had expressed a preference to remain and develop gradually at the club, president Cairo—who previously stated his intention not to sell—must now balance the financial pressures of generating profit. Gasperini has identified Cacciamani as a key piece for strengthening Roma's left flank and views him as an important asset for the club's future plans.

Roma's transfer hunt has shifted into high gear, with negotiations over Porto's Rodrigo Mora stalled for two days over disagreements on buy-back clause terms, according to director D'Amico. Should that deal fall through, Belgian winger Malick Fofana of Lyon has emerged as the leading alternative. Lyon value the 2005-born prospect at a minimum of €40 million, though fitness concerns around him persist. The timeline could favour Roma's pursuit. Between 18 and 26 August, Lyon face Fenerbahce in Champions League play-offs. Fofana is eager to play in Europe's top competition, and an elimination for Lyon could force the French club to sell. Fenerbahce themselves dealt Roma a blow earlier in the transfer window by signing Mason Greenwood ahead of the Italian club. How the upcoming two weeks unfold may prove decisive in shaping Roma's options and the final structure of any deal.