Mora transfer advances: Friedkin close the gap with Porto as deal nears completion

Manu Koné has ended weeks of transfer speculation by confirming he will remain at Roma, rejecting concrete interest from Chelsea in the final days of the transfer window. The midfielder, speaking from France's national team camp ahead of a fixture against Italy, said his commitment to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is total and that the transfer market is now behind him. Koné had become one of the summer's most discussed players after a prominent World Cup showing elevated his value above €50 million. Roma fielded enquiries from Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United, and also had to manage the situation carefully given Financial Fair Play constraints. Chelsea mounted a concrete assault late in the window as they dealt with the possible departure of Enzo Fernández, but both Roma and Gasperini rejected the approach. Gasperini views Koné as a cornerstone of his project, a position held previously by De Rossi and Ranieri. Inter had also attempted to sign him a year earlier. Koné has chosen to stay with enthusiasm, bolstered by supporter affection and evident growth—confirmed by a recent brace against Inter. He is now a starter for France under Zidane and is preparing to face Italy, the nation against which he made his debut two years ago, shortly after joining Roma. He has reiterated he has no distractions: the market is behind him, and his focus is entirely on Roma.

A loan move for Endrick to Roma was nearly complete, with Real Madrid's agreement secured and the player on board, before José Mourinho intervened with a single phone call to keep him at his current club. Mourinho's promise—"Stay calm, remain and I'll get you playing"—was enough to convince the Brazilian to stay. However, the arrangement has not worked out as intended. This season Endrick has featured just once, for 4 minutes against Elche, leaving him frustrated by the lack of pitch time. The player now wants more opportunities, and Roma have re-emerged as a potential destination. A new loan in January, similar to his spell at Lyon, is being discussed, though France is not expected to be the target this time. Roma remain positioned to reopen talks with Endrick, whose willingness to join them has never wavered. The deciding factor is Mourinho's approval—and if the Portuguese manager continues to restrict the forward's minutes, he may find little reason to refuse a move.

Manu Koné has dismissed the prospect of a Chelsea move and reaffirmed his commitment to Roma after the midfielder came close to leaving the club during the summer transfer window. The French midfielder has become a key player for Roma this season, notably scoring twice in a 2–2 draw against Inter. He was also called up to the French national team during the international break. Koné's importance to Gasperini's plans meant the club resisted Chelsea's late approach. The midfielder has credited Roma with his development since joining from Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he played from 2021 to 2024. He arrived at the Serie A club at age 23 and has grown considerably both tactically and physically in that time. Speaking at a France press conference ahead of a fixture against Italy, Koné said: "Things have happened for me, but I'm at Roma, I'm focused. What happened has happened. I give 100% for this club, I'll give everything to meet expectations, and that's all." On his time in Rome, he added: "When I arrived in Italy, I was younger (I was 23), and that brought maturity to my playing style. I became more focused. Tactically, I didn't have the skills I have now. I also improved my energy management, which made me the player I am today. I was going through a difficult period at Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Roma approached me; I'm very grateful to them."

Manu Koné addressed speculation about a potential move away from Roma during a France national team press conference ahead of their match against Italy on Friday 2 October at 20:45. The midfielder acknowledged the late summer transfer window interest but reaffirmed his commitment to the club. "Things happened… I'm at Roma, I'm focused, we have objectives. I'm a Roma player and I'll give 100% for this club," Koné said. Roma are preparing to mark their centenary year, which begins in 2027. The club will launch the celebrations at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 2 January when they face Frosinone. In a significant gesture, Roma will wear a special one-off commemorative shirt for that fixture—a kit designed exclusively to honour the club's hundred years since foundation and distinct from the kits that will be used throughout the 2027–28 season. Midfielder Nicolò Pisilli spoke separately about a recurring date in his career. "10 October is my date—it's a day bringing me luck in recent years," he told Vivo Azzurro TV in the Generazione Azzurra format. "In 2024 I made my senior Italy debut at the Olimpico, my club's stadium and my home city. In 2025 I scored my first Under-21 double." Pisilli added that his ambitions include winning a Serie A title with Roma and a World Cup with Italy.

Rodrigo Mora scored a spectacular overhead kick in the 21st minute as Portugal U21 defeated Gibraltar 4–0 to secure direct qualification to the European Under-21 Championship. Mora, wearing the number 10, was in the starting lineup and played 61 minutes, adding a decisive moment to Portugal's dominant performance. The goal extended Portugal's campaign record to 22 points, four clear of second-placed Czech Republic with one qualifying round remaining. As group B leaders, Portugal confirmed their place at the finals immediately after the match.

Roma will debut a one-off commemorative shirt for their first match of 2027 against Frosinone at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, 2 January, marking the start of the club's centenary celebrations. The special kit, created exclusively to honour one hundred years since the club's foundation, will be worn only for that fixture and will officially open the centenary year on the pitch. It will be entirely distinct from the regular kits used throughout the 2027–28 season. The centenary shirt represents a landmark moment in the club's history as Roma prepares for an unforgettable year. The kit was designed as a standalone tribute separate from the standard uniforms that will follow, emphasizing its singular significance for the occasion. Meanwhile, early reports have circulated about the Adidas kit collection planned for the 2027–28 season, reportedly inspired by the clubs that contributed to Roma's founding. The home shirt is expected to reference Roman FC, the third kit Alba Audace, and the away kit the Fortitudo Pro Roma. These designs form a distinct project from the special centenary shirt worn on 2 January, which has been created exclusively for that match.

Como's squad has accumulated more minutes in international duty during the current break than Roma's, a factor that could influence the upcoming league fixture between the two sides. Cesc Fabregas's Como squad saw 15 players called up across various national teams and age groups, while Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma contingent numbered 12. Como's representatives included Kean and Ricci (Italy), Da Cunha and Butez (France), Baturina and Smolcic (Croatia), Douvikas (Greece), Chalobah (England), Diao (Senegal), Paz (Argentina), Kambwala (Congo), Liberali (Italy Under 21), Ramon, Valle and Rodriguez (Spain Under 21). Roma's included Mancini and Ghilardi (Italy), Koné (France), Balerdi, Soulé and Castro (Argentina), N'Dicka (Ivory Coast), Koulierakis (Greece), Lulli and Pisilli (Italy Under 21), Mora (Portugal U21), and De Marzi (USA Under 19). As of yesterday evening, Como's 15 players had accumulated 770 minutes of international action, while Roma's 12 had totalled 450 minutes. Further matches remain to be played in the international window, meaning the figures will change.

Roman radio stations aired opinions on three key Roma stories on 28 September 2026. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport (90.9) predicted that a new stadium would transform the club's finances. 'Today could be an important day for Roma's stadium,' Torri said. 'There should be final approval, then it will be up to Roma to build it and deliver it quickly. It would be a guarantee of revenue growth that would bring you closer to the elite of European football. There is an absolute need for the stadium, otherwise everything becomes complicated. For starters, you would no longer pay the rent on the stadium, which is several million euros. Plus there will be around a hundred suites that cost a lot of money to purchase for a year, and those can guarantee you 10–20 million euros a year. You could increase revenue by 30–40%.' Other commentators assessed Roma's recent decisions. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo (92.7) discussed the transfer of Gianluca Romano and a potential return for Francesco Totti at the 2027 centenary. 'On Romano, things have turned around: from a phenomenon he has become a flop,' Pes said. 'I hope the policy of rejuvenation continues, even if it means tough evenings like the one the other night. The road is long and uphill, but at least it is a road to travel. Totti? There is certainly coolness in relations with Roma, but I will leave a small door open for the centenary.' Francesca Ferrazza of Tele Radio Stereo (92.7) addressed a report about Francesco Totti's image rights and Roma's sale of shirts bearing his number 10. 'Roma has put the proceeds of shirts sold with the 10 in the accounts,' Ferrazza explained, 'and at that point Totti's legal team contacted Roma to discuss it. That is a different issue, because presented that way it looks as though Totti is obsessed with money.' Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio (104.5) praised Emanuele Lulli's display in a friendly match in England, saying the defender 'seems like a lad who deserves it' in Roma's context. Nando Orsi of Radio Radio (104.5) defended the loan of Romano to Spezia, noting that player development often takes time and that scouting errors must be minimised.

Roma and Emanuele Lulli's representatives are working on a contract renewal, with his current deal set to expire on 30 June. The update came as part of a roundup of commentary from Rome radio stations on club matters. Lulli, a young squad member, impressed in a recent friendly in England, prompting radio commentator Roberto Pruzzo to note: "He made a good showing in that friendly in England. It was a pleasant surprise. For Roma, where you need alternatives, he seems like a lad who deserves his chance." The defender's extension reflects the club's confidence in his development as a long-term option at the Stadio Olimpico. Separately, radio analyst Andrea Verdenelli criticised Italy's national team selection, saying: "It is unacceptable not to see Pisilli in the senior national team." Niccolò Pisilli remains a Roma academy product and has established himself in the club's midfield setup this season. His absence from the latest Italy squad drew public frustration from the broadcaster, underlining the belief among some observers that he merits a higher level of international recognition. The radio coverage also touched on broader club developments. Commentators discussed the stadium project as a critical priority for Roma's future revenue and competitiveness in European football, with several noting stadium income through match-day operations, corporate suites and the elimination of rental costs as key drivers of financial growth. Francesco Totti's relationship with the club also featured in discussion, with one analyst noting lingering distance in relations but suggesting a potential opening for involvement in Roma's centenary celebrations in 2027.