Oosterwolde poised for announcement as Roma pursue Gittens; Ziółkowski awaits clearance

Atalanta are preparing to tie down striker Gianluca Scamacca with a contract extension to 2030, after he remained with the Bergamo club despite Roma's interest this summer. Head coach Gasperini had wanted to reunite with Scamacca at Roma, where he could have filled the role of backup to Donyell Malen. Atalanta never seriously considered selling him, viewing him as a cornerstone of their attacking unit. The 26-year-old has established himself as essential to the Bergamo side's attacking plans. According to reports, Atalanta are now moving to protect their investment and secure his future by extending his current deal, with the new contract set to run until 2030.

Endrick has emerged as a target for Roma in the January transfer window, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini identifying the Brazilian forward as a suitable reinforcement for the attacking department. The player was close to joining Roma in the summer, but the move fell through because the 2006-born attacker was committed to proving himself at Real Madrid under Mourinho, who appeared ready to give him opportunities. With limited appearances so far this season, speculation over a potential departure has resurfaced. However, Endrick's representatives have moved to dampen the Roma interest. Alan Redmond, executive vice-president and Global Head of Football at Roc Nation Sports International, the agency representing the forward, has insisted the player remains focused on Madrid. There were multiple clubs from various countries interested in Endrick over the summer, but his determination has never wavered. Redmond said: "In the summer there were many clubs from different countries interested in him. His idea has always been to stay in Madrid. I am convinced that when he gets the opportunity he will score many goals. We will see what happens in the future, honestly I think he will stay at Real for a long time."

Endrick's next move remains unclear after the Brazilian forward failed to secure playing time at Real Madrid, despite José Mourinho blocking his summer move to Roma. With the January transfer window approaching, Roma have joined AC Milan and foreign clubs including Lyon and Aston Villa in pursuing the 2006-born striker. Roc Nation Sports International, the agency representing Endrick, signalled little likelihood of a departure. Alan Redmond, vice-president and Global Head of Football at the agency, said: "In summer there were many clubs from different countries interested in him. His idea has always been to stay in Madrid. I am convinced that when he gets the opportunity he will score many goals. We'll see what happens in the future, honestly I think he will stay at Real for a long time." Redmond added that Endrick had multiple suitors last summer but remained set on continuing in Spain.

Roma's pursuit of Real Madrid forward Endrick remains at an impasse two months after a summer rejection, with the Spanish club offering neither discussion nor closure on a potential move. The international break has revived interest in the 20-year-old, who has made only four minutes of league action and no Champions League appearances under Carlo Ancelotti and remains keen to leave in search of regular playing time. Endrick has repeatedly told Real Madrid he wants to join Roma and wear the giallorosso, most recently reiterating this to José Mourinho before reporting to the Brazilian national team two weeks ago. Ancelotti has publicly acknowledged the forward needs consistent minutes to develop. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has not prioritised the signing, concentrating instead on upcoming fixtures rather than transfer activity—a perspective that makes sense given the January window lies three months away. Roma's primary target remains a winger with specific qualities: physically strong and capable of explosive pace. Endrick is not that profile, though Gasperini would accept him as a secondary option, potentially deploying him on the right wing or as a second striker. The first-choice targets remain Chelsea's Gittens, Stuttgart's Lewelling and Zenit's Luiz Henrique, all of whom were discussed in the closing stages of the summer market and remain on Roma's radar. Only Henrique received significant playing time after negotiations halted in August. Another barrier exists: the Friedkin family's likely demands for departures before any arrival. Soulé has been repeatedly pursued—both in summer and now through the winter window—while a possible move for defender Oosterwolde could mean Rensch or Ghilardi leaving. Oosterwolde was abandoned at the end of August due to physical problems, which are reportedly now resolved. For any Endrick deal to progress, Real Madrid must break its silence, the player must remain committed despite minimal minutes, and Roma must find clarity on squad-trimming priorities.

Roma could reopen talks with Jayden Oosterwolde during the winter transfer window after a summer move collapsed over medical concerns. The club had scheduled the defender's medical examinations before completing the deal, but assessments revealed a significant muscle tear that required surgery and an estimated three-month recovery. Roma chose not to proceed at that point, but have kept the 2001-born left-back on their radar. Director of sport Massimo D'Amico continues to monitor Oosterwolde's progress, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had already approved the move when it was being considered in summer, signalling how highly the former Parma player was valued for the project. The failed summer operation has not damaged relations between the parties. Roma will reassess Oosterwolde once he returns to full fitness and provides sufficient physical guarantees, with the January window offering a chance to revive negotiations that seemed all but done before the injury setback. A recent sign of sustained interest came during Roma's Champions League fixture against Istanbul, when Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and subsequently held talks with Gasperini and his staff. Much will depend on the Dutch defender's recovery and Roma's own evaluation, but he remains a profile to watch for the giallorossi's left flank.

Roma's interest in Jayden Oosterwolde has not ended despite the dramatic collapse of negotiations last summer. The Dutch player arrived in the capital for medical examinations, but concerns emerged over his muscle injury during those tests. In early September, he underwent surgery with a recovery period estimated at around three months. Director Tony D'Amico and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini have kept Oosterwolde on their radar, with January potentially offering a second opportunity to complete the deal. Gasperini had already approved the move in summer, and both he and D'Amico continue to monitor the player's rehabilitation. The club has not crossed Oosterwolde off their list and remain interested in the former Parma player once he returns to full fitness. A recent encounter in Istanbul before Roma's match against Fenerbahçe showed the relationship remains intact: Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and met with Gasperini, the medical staff and the fitness team. Roma are watching the progress of his recovery without urgency but without having closed the door either. If his physical condition provides adequate assurances, January could bring Oosterwolde back to the centre of Roma's transfer activity. The summer halt to negotiations need not mark the end of the story.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 12 October 2026 in a match that saw Donyell Malen sent off after only nine minutes of the second half for a hard challenge on Kaiki. The dismissal shaped the entire contest, forcing Roma into a defensive second half as Como pressed under Cesc Fabregas's increasingly aggressive setup. Pierluigi Gollini made the decisive saves to earn the point. The result was unexpected—La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that two attacking-minded coaches, Fabregas and Gasperini, produced the championship's first goalless draw of the season. Gasperini raised his fists at the final whistle, treating the away point like a victory on a ground that had cost Roma three consecutive defeats in recent league visits. The draw leaves Roma without a first-place finish, with SS Lazio now two positions ahead at the top. Roma's squad absorbed difficult news before the match: Mile Svilar's injury meant Gollini stepped in as the primary keeper, with the backup now ready for the Real Madrid fixture. Gasperini also recalled captain Lorenzo Pellegrini from injury—he marked his 350th appearance with a shot that hit the post. Marten de Roon, given up for lost elsewhere, covered the most ground in the side, running 11.6 km in place of the injured Bryan Cristante. Paulo Dybala played the entire match, performing with both technical grace and defensive work rate. Malen's suspension will rule him out of the upcoming visit to Napoli, adding to Roma's challenge ahead.

Roma returned from Como without a win but with a draw that carried greater significance than the single point on the surface. The 0-0 at the Sinigaglia reflected a squad showing greater depth, maturity and resilience than it had displayed months earlier, particularly after playing nearly forty minutes with ten men. The first half saw both sides play at high tempo, with Roma creating the clearest chances. Paulo Dybala had the most obvious opening at the sixth minute, receiving the ball on his left inside the box, but his shot was weak and central, handed straight to the goalkeeper. Lorenzo Pellegrini struck the post shortly after, and Donyell Malen enjoyed another promising position following excellent control in depth. Roma had played an authoritative first half despite arriving without two key regulars, Mile Svilar and Bryan Cristante. Their replacements proved decisive: Pierluigi Gollini, back as a Serie A starter after more than two years, showed security, personality and sharp reactions, particularly on an early save from Nico Paz. Marten de Roon, making his first start for Roma, delivered a performance of substance, attention and tactical intelligence, playing his own game rather than attempting to replicate Cristante's role. The display demonstrated that Roma was developing squad depth capable of absorbing significant absences without losing immediate structure and competitiveness. The match transformed completely at the fifty-third minute when Malen was sent off for his intervention on Kaiki, leaving Roma to defend in numerical inferiority for nearly forty minutes. The red card appeared harsh: Malen arrived uncontrolled and the contact was dangerous, but he also touched the ball with no apparent intent to strike the opponent, and the move began after a clash for which Roma had appealed for a foul not given by referee Michael Fabbri. With the game changed, Roma's objective shifted from victory to avoiding defeat. Como dominated possession and pressed constantly, yet rarely converted control into clean chances. Roma dropped its defensive line, closed gaps, defended the area and accepted the burden of suffering. The contrast with the previous season stood out starkly: at this same venue in March, Roma had lost 2-1 in a comeback after Wesley's red card at the sixty-fourth minute. This time, facing identical adversity, the squad reacted entirely differently—maintaining cohesion, preserving distances and denying Como the emotional momentum to overwhelm them. Gollini and a focused defensive line completed the work. Como attacked at length but repeatedly struck a wall. Fabbri was forced to leave the field around the sixty-seventh minute through injury and was replaced by fourth official Simone Sozza. At the final whistle, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini celebrated on the bench—not the exultation of acceptance but the recognition of difficulty in extracting a point away from home while playing against one of the league's most organized teams in such circumstances. Roma had regrets: the chance to play the full match at equal strength, Dybala's opening opportunity after six minutes, Pellegrini's strike against the post. Yet the balance remained positive. After three weeks without league football and on the eve of a fixture run that could define the season, Roma showed character, depth and identity.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 12 October 2026, holding on to a point after Donyell Malen was sent off in the 53rd minute. Playing without Mile Svilar, Roma dominated the first half and created three clear chances: Paulo Dybala's effort from close range, a Lorenzo Pellegrini strike that hit the post, and Malen's attempt that went wide. Como responded with chances of their own, including a strike by Nico Paz that Pierluigi Gollini saved. The turning point came early in the second half when Malen was shown a direct red card for his challenge on Kaiki following a foul on him and a lost ball. Gollini made two further saves to keep Roma level as they defended with numerical disadvantage, with Dybala operating across the pitch in support of the back line. The draw keeps Roma in contention with Inter and Lazio in the Serie A table. Gasperini was visibly angered by the sending-off and spoke critically of the decision during his post-match comments. He said: "There is a repeated foul on Malen before the slip. There is no intention to do harm. It is useless to stop the frame, football is not made of frames. What counts is the concept, stop with frames because they falsify reality. From this year you manage to see truer football, let's not go back." He added that the result demonstrated Roma's character: "You must have a great heart and great fitness to play in this way at Como." Roma now prepare to face Real Madrid, with Gasperini noting that while José Mourinho left an extraordinary legacy at the club, "our is a different squad compared to his, one that is giving me great satisfaction."

Roma faced Como at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in the Serie A sixth round. Paulo Dybala was central to the match, hitting a straightforward chance that went straight to goalkeeper Butez. After Donyell Malen's red card, Dybala took control of Roma's attack and earned Gasperini's confidence, though the coach later revealed he had nearly substituted the Argentine for Santiago Castro before changing his mind. Gasperini had already called Castro to warm up and remove his bib ahead of Malen's dismissal. Once Malen was sent off, the coach reconsidered and kept Dybala on the pitch. Speaking after the match, Gasperini explained: "I believe Dybala was extraordinary once we were down to ten in the second half, clearing difficult situations. He convinced me as we went along: he began to pull in several balls, giving us breathing room and chances to break out. He was the one most penalised because he had to operate between Como's two centre-backs, but he did it with great intelligence and quality as a true footballer." Dybala was substituted in the 88th minute, replaced by Emanuele Lulli to add greater compactness to the side in the closing stages.

Pierluigi Gollini marked his return to Serie A action after two years with a clean sheet, prompting a message on social media reflecting on the team's collective effort. In his post, Gollini wrote: "This match is the fruit of the work we put in every day, the sacrifices and the desire to be ready for the team. This is us, a group of real substance that knows how to play, suffer and fight. Because when your moment comes, everyone's work becomes your strength. Focus on Wednesday for another battle." The goalkeeper's performance drew immediate support from his Roma teammates. Rodrigo Mora commented "Well done," while Lorenzo Pellegrini wrote "Great Gollo." Mario Hermoso, Emanuele Lulli and Marten de Roon also joined in the praise, as did Konstantinos Koulierakis.

Roma drew 0–0 at Como on 11 October in a tight defensive contest that saw them finish the match with ten men. Pierluigi Gollini made several assured saves to earn a 7 rating, particularly with an early decisive exit against Nico Paz and a clean response to Caqueret when the Como midfielder found himself one-on-one with the Roma goalkeeper. Gollini's display underlined the weight of replacing Mile Svilar, as the shot-stopper answered calls in both halves from Paz. Roma's backline stood firm despite the numerical disadvantage. Gianluca Mancini (6.5) focused on preventive marking and attempted to break the lines, though he was caught out when a loose ball from his touch nearly found Como's Caqueret. Evan N'Dicka (6.5) remained alert throughout, studying Como's Douvikas and maintaining his concentration even after Roma went down to ten. Mario Hermoso (6) operated quietly in the opening period before growing into the match, with Leonardo Balerdi (6) entering at the hour to reinforce the wall. Nahuel Molina (6) threw himself into clearances and defensive support, though he showed less in attack. In midfield, Marten de Roon (7) operated the fundamentals of Gasperini's system with tackles, positioning and pressing, though his vertical distribution lacked precision. Manu Koné (6) began with composure against Como's midfield but produced some unnecessary decisions in front of his own goal. Lorenzo Pellegrini (6) made his return to action after nearly six months, captaining the side with a clear will to create density, and struck the post inside ten minutes before being substituted at half-time. Donyell Malen (5) received a red card for an entry the article describes as avoidable, though he had been among Roma's best performers—setting up a chance for Paulo Dybala in the opening minutes and creating space between the lines throughout the first half. Matías Soulé (6) entered after Malen's dismissal in difficult circumstances and managed some playmaking amid defensive duties. Devyne Rensch (6) and Emanuele Lulli (both appearing late) completed the match.