Oosterwolde arrival pushes Ziółkowski toward exit as Roma await Arabian offer

Roma's hopes of signing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens from Chelsea could cool following fresh interest in Mykhaylo Mudryk. Leeds are preparing a new loan offer for the Ukrainian winger to present to Chelsea imminently, according to Fabrizio Romano. If Mudryk leaves Chelsea on loan, the Blues are unlikely to release Gittens as well, as the English winger currently represents the primary alternative available to Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso. Roma's pursuit of Gittens has already encountered resistance from Chelsea. The club rejected a proposal from Roma director D'Amico offering €3 million for a loan plus €40 million for a permanent deal in recent days. However, Roma are preparing a counter-offer with more acceptable terms for London, potentially including an obligation to buy rather than an optional clause. The Gazzetta dello Sport reports Roma are working on improved conditions to break Chelsea's resistance.

Roma are monitoring several attacking targets as the transfer window continues, though progress remains uncertain on multiple fronts. Malick Fofana, the Belgian forward at Lyon, features prominently after his side's 1–1 draw with Fenerbahçe in the Champions League preliminary round first leg. A potential advance to the next round could facilitate a deal between the clubs, possibly structured as a loan with a conditional obligation to buy. Fofana's recent form in Lyon colours—he celebrated in the 2–0 league victory on Saturday—suggests he is comfortable at his current club, complicating negotiations. Mbaye is another player offered to Roma. The attacking midfielder has been sidelined by Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain and is available for departure. A loan move is considered more realistic than other targets, given both his youth and Roma's recent arrival of Rodrigo Mora at the position. Rafael Leao's availability remains speculative despite agent Jorge Mendes's apparent efforts to broker a deal between Milan and Roma; the economic demands and uncertainty over the Brazilian's fitness status present substantial obstacles. Christopher Nkunku is close to joining RB Leipzig, with the French forward's desire to return to Germany—where he excelled before his Premier League move—proving decisive. Roma have not made a concrete bid for Luis Henrique, the Inter Milan winger. Although valued at the club for his versatility, Inter's asking price rules out the possibility of a move, despite some reports suggesting an imminent agreement worth €30 million—more than Inter paid for him one year earlier.

Roman radio stations analysed Gasperini's post-match demeanour and Roma's transfer window on 24 August, with the coach reportedly venting frustration after a pre-match press conference. David Rossi of Rete Sport said Gasperini "attempted to maintain composure during the conference, so much so that once it finished he let off steam—we have audio of what he said after the conference, but we won't play it because we're decent people—but hearing the post-conference outburst tells you he is not serene." Gasperini has been actively involved in the market alongside D'Amico, reiterating his desire for a left-footed winger and left-sided striker, though the station noted that if those signings do not arrive, it is not a failure to pursue them but a failure to secure them. The broader consensus across the stations was mixed. Piero Torri of Manà Manà Sport identified Fofana as "the best option that remains," better than other targets, suggesting Lyon's potential Champions League qualification could enable a deal structured as a loan with a conditional obligation to buy. Daniele Lo Monaco of Radio Romanista offered strong backing of the existing squad, stating: "With him you would not win the Champions League, but you would not have won it either with Summerville; in fact, I think you have more chances with Mora than with the Dutchman. If you signed Gittens, you would have Gittens, Mora, Dybala, Soulé, Castro and Malen… Last year you had Venturino, Zaragoza, Baldanzi, Dovbyk, Ferguson… and we finished third. This is why I tell you we must be very satisfied with what is happening, very satisfied. And all of this without selling players. But guys, what more do we want? For me, if the market completes in this manner, it will be the best since the days of Batistuta." Analysts debated the likely formation and deployment of recent arrivals. Lorenzo Pes suggested Roma could play with a trequartista behind two strikers, noting uncertainty over whether Soulé or Rodrigo Mora would occupy that role. Mario Mattioli expressed scepticism about Mora's involvement, predicting he would not start and questioning whether he could break through substantially. Roberto Pruzzo backed Santiago Castro as a strong addition who would receive more minutes than expected, while Checco Oddo Casano voiced concern that Roma was not equipped to compete for the Champions League, predicting a third- to sixth-place finish in Serie A. Alessio Nardo highlighted Dybala's history of injury problems at Roma, noting that last season his meniscus injury was mismanaged; he added that should Dybala complete the season without significant injury, "it would be a sort of miracle of Gasperini and his staff." The match against Fiorentina was set for the evening of 24 August. Pes cautioned that Fiorentina would be difficult to assess as an opponent, having conducted an ambitious transfer window under new management. The window closes on 31 August, with Gasperini's requirements for additional signings still unmet.

Gian Piero Gasperini has won on the opening day of Serie A in each of the past eight seasons, a run unbroken since losing 1–0 at home to Roma on 20 August 2017 when he was Atalanta manager. Last season, Gasperini secured a 1–0 victory against Bologna on the Olimpico courtesy of Wesley, and Roma will host Fiorentina tonight in similar conditions. An opening-day win carries weight both for morale and the longer championship picture, particularly as Roma prepare for a return to Champions League in a season expected to demand sustained effort. Roma hold a positive record in opening-day fixtures against Fiorentina. Their previous two meetings on the season's first weekend came in 2014–15, when they won 2–0 through Nainggolan and Gervinho, and 2021–22, when José Mourinho's side triumphed 3–1, with Veretout scoring twice after goals from Mkhitaryan and Milenkovic. Gasperini seeks to reach nine opening-day victories of his own and extend the pattern that has defined his managerial record.

Roma face Fiorentina at the Olimpico at 20:45 tonight in the opening match of the Serie A season, with Gian Piero Gasperini preparing several significant choices for his debut fixture. The surprise selection could be Rodrigo Mora, who arrived only in recent days but is already a candidate for a starting shirt. The Portuguese forward is slightly favoured over Matías Soulé to play behind the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the back three, though Konstantinos Koulierakis is pushing to displace the Spanish defender following encouraging signs in pre-season. Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the wing-backs, with Manu Koné returning to midfield. Bryan Cristante is slightly favoured over Neil El Aynaoui for the remaining midfield spot. Mora's immediate integration represents the most intriguing tactical choice, with Santiago Castro available as an important option from the bench. Fiorentina will respond with a 4-3-2-1 under Fabio Grosso. Their lineup includes goalkeeper De Gea, a back four of Jimenez, Dragusin, Ranieri and Valdepenas, Brescianini, Fagioli and Ndour in midfield, Gudmundsson and Atta in support, and Kean as the central striker.

Roma will face Fiorentina in the opening match of the 2026–27 Serie A season on 24 August at 20:45, with the Olimpico sold out for the campaign's debut. Head coach Gasperini has settled most selection questions but left unresolved a contest between Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora for a place on the attacking midfield line, both having been tested in recent tactical sessions. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen will lead the attack. The squad arrives with the goal of confirming the previous season's strong showing, which returned Roma to the Champions League after seven years away. The defensive line appears set, with Mile Svilar in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. The midfield four will likely be Nahuel Molina, Bryan Cristante, Manu Koné and Wesley across the width. Rome's major newspapers offered varying formations in their predicted lineups ahead of the fixture. Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tempo, Messaggero, Repubblica and Romanista all suggested a 3–4–2–1 or 3–4–1–2 structure, though they differed on whether Soulé or Mora would occupy the second attacking midfield slot. Romanews.eu predicted a 3–4–2–1 with Soulé in that role and Dybala flanking him, while other outlets split between the two options, reflecting the uncertainty Gasperini has yet to resolve.

Roma are close to finalizing the arrival of Jayden Oosterwolde from Fenerbahçe as the club moves decisively in the final stretch of the transfer window. The 25-year-old Dutch defender will join on a loan deal worth approximately €1 million with a rescission right valued between €15 million and €16 million, convertible to an obligation under certain conditions. Oosterwolde will sign a four-year contract plus one optional year on wages of roughly €1.6 million net. He is currently sidelined by a muscle injury but is expected to be available by mid-September. Oosterwolde's imminent arrival has opened the door to Jan Ziółkowski's departure. The 21-year-old Polish centre-back has attracted interest from Neom, with Roma awaiting an offer in the region of €16 million. Ziółkowski was purchased from Legia Warsaw approximately a year ago for around €6 million, meaning his sale would generate a significant profit to reinvest in the squad. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini would lose a central defender in the deal, but Oosterwolde's versatility should provide adequate defensive cover. Roma continue to pursue Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari, 22, of Brighton, who impressed at the recent World Cup. Ayari's contract expires in a year and he is not currently inclined to renew, but Brighton maintain a valuation between €40 million and €45 million. Borussia Dortmund remain strong contenders for the player's signature. The Giallorossi are also pushing hard for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, 22, but Chelsea have rejected a Roma proposal of €3 million for a loan plus €40 million for a rescission right, instead demanding better terms—preferably an obligation that would guarantee permanent transfer. Roma continue dialogue and hope for a shift in circumstances in the final days. Paris Saint-Germain are considering young Senegalese winger Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, for a departure, and his situation could present an opportunity for Roma in the closing window if conditions favour a move.

Roma are nine days away from the close of the transfer window and the final piece of their summer rebuild is about to fall into place. Oosterwolde's arrival in the capital is expected today, with only minor details to be cleared before Fenerbahce grant the green light. The left-back will undergo medical checks; he is currently sidelined with a biceps femoris injury, but Roma's medical staff have reviewed his reports closely in recent days and expect him to return to action in around two weeks. The deal is structured as a paid loan of €1 million with a conditional obligation to buy based on the player's appearances, believed to reach €15 million. Oosterwolde offers tactical flexibility as either a left winger or central defender, and his arrival is connected to Jan Ziółkowski's expected departure from the club. Gasperini is still hunting one more attacking reinforcement. Fofana, who scored in Lyon's 2–1 win over Toulouse on Saturday, remains on the shortlist, though Lyon are expected to open talks about a loan deal. Much will depend on whether Roma qualify for next season's Champions League; the second leg against Fenerbahce takes place on Wednesday. Gittens is another target under consideration, but Chelsea have rejected Roma's opening proposal and want either an immediate sale or an obligation to buy with straightforward conditions. The winger's situation remains fluid as negotiations continue.

Rafael Leão has become a fresh target for Roma's final stretch of the transfer window after the Portuguese winger opened to a possible move to the club in recent hours. No advanced negotiations are currently under way, but Roma are studying a sustainable formula centred on payment structure. The real obstacle remains agreement with Milan, who value Leão at €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses. A conversation between Gerry Cardinale and Leão's agent Jorge Mendes could prove decisive in the coming hours in determining which scenarios are genuinely feasible. At Trigoria, Tony D'Amico is observing closely: Leão is considered an ideal profile for Gasperini's attacking department, but concrete openings from Milan will be needed before any serious move. Roma remain undeterred in their pursuit of Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and have made a new attempt to sign the Chelsea winger. The negotiation remains tied to the structure of the deal. Chelsea do not view the player as outside their project and are unwilling to accept a loan without guarantees. To persuade the Blues, Roma will need to present either a permanent offer or a loan with a mandatory purchase obligation. Roma's defensive department has become particularly rich in alternatives following the arrival of Koulierakis and the imminent arrival of Jayden Oosterwolde. With this in mind, in the final days of the window, either Ziółkowski or Ghilardi could leave Trigoria to find more playing time. Polish defender Ziółkowski is the subject of strong interest from Saudi Arabia, while Ghilardi appeals to Bologna. The Emilia side are tracking him as a possible replacement for Lucumì: there is concrete interest at present, but a formal negotiation has not yet begun. Roma will make their Serie A home debut tomorrow at 20:45 against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico, which is heading towards a sell-out. Gates open at 18:45 and the club advises supporters to arrive at least 90 minutes early to avoid queues at the turnstiles. The Box 4 on via Nigra will be active from 17:45 until kick-off for any needs, while from 09:00 it will be possible to contact Roma via Contact Centre, telephone or email.