Nkunku deal proves complex as wages block Roma progress

Wesley has attracted the attention of Manchester United, with the English club considering the Roma defender as part of their future recruitment plans. According to the British website Theatreofred.com, the Brazilian left-back has impressed Michael Sansoni, Manchester United's director of data. Sansoni joined the club in 2025 after spending 11 years with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team, where he worked as a Senior Performance Engineer and contributed to eight championship-winning seasons with Lewis Hamilton. The approach marks a return of Premier League interest in Wesley following Roma's rejection of a Chelsea offer last summer. The 24-year-old joined Roma from Flamengo in July 2025 on a five-year contract, initially on a deal worth €25 million plus €5 million in add-ons. Manchester United's renewed pursuit suggests the Brazilian has made a strong impression in his first season in Serie A, though Roma are unlikely to consider selling one of their key defensive reinforcements from the previous transfer window.

Roma closed the summer transfer window with one significant regret: the absence of a left-sided attacking winger. Despite extensive negotiations until the final days, sporting director Tony D'Amico has already signalled that the club will return to the market in January to provide Gasperini with the reinforcement needed to complete the squad. Several targets who fell through over the summer are now in very different circumstances, potentially reopening old pursuit lines. Jamie Gittens, Trigoria's preferred option for the position, has struggled to find playing time in the Premier League under Xabi Alonso, appearing for only 52 minutes in the League Cup and suffering an ankle injury with the Under 21s. Jamie Leweling, who rejected Roma at the last moment, is also struggling: he has failed to become a regular starter in the Bundesliga and has lost his call-up to the German national team under new manager Jürgen Klopp. Brazilian options Luiz Henrique and Endrick are also in flux. Luiz Henrique remained at Zenit after bureaucratic complications derailed his Roma transfer, though he plays regularly and has fallen out of favour with the Brazil national team. Endrick is enduring a difficult start at Real Madrid under José Mourinho, with only four minutes on the pitch. Brazil's national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has reminded young players of the importance of continuous playing time. A loan move could become relevant again on 14 October, when Roma face Real Madrid at Stadio Olimpico in the Champions League.

Four players Roma pursued over the summer transfer window could resurface as targets when the January window opens, with left-sided attacker emerging as a priority gap in Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. Jamie Gittens, Jamie Leweling, Luiz Henrique and Endrick were the main names in the final stages of the summer campaign after moves for Greenwood and Summerville fell through. Gittens was Roma's preferred choice on technical grounds, but Xabi Alonso blocked a loan move with a buy option or obligation during the off-season, viewing him as central to his plans. The Borussia Dortmund winger's season has stalled significantly: he has played no minutes in the Premier League and only 52 minutes in the League Cup, and he has suffered an ankle injury while on England Under-21 duty requiring medical tests. Leweling's deal with Stuttgart collapsed in summer after the German player withheld permission, and in the Bundesliga he has yet to start a match, appearing only as a substitute. That form cost him a place in Jürgen Klopp's first squad list as Germany's new manager. Luiz Henrique remained at Zenit after bureaucratic problems halted Roma's summer approach, has regained playing time in Russia but dropped out of Brazil's plans. Endrick moved to Real Madrid, where Carlo Ancelotti stated: "Players so young must play to grow"; the teenager has collected only four minutes under Ancelotti. Director of sport Tony D'Amico confirmed Roma's intention to complete the squad in January with a pair of signings for Gasperini. The opportunity for fresh talks over Endrick could come on 14 October, when Roma face Real Madrid at the Olimpico in the Champions League.