Paixão or Greenwood? Roma weighs two transfer targets as Marseille seeks funds

Rodrigo Mora has arrived at Roma as a new signing and is eager to prove himself to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, hoping to feature in Monday's match against Fiorentina. The 19-year-old Portuguese forward, who has 80 appearances for Porto's first team, is generating optimism among supporters. However, Jeda, a former Brazilian striker who played under Gasperini at Crotone in the 2005–06 season, has issued a cautionary message on social media. Jeda scored 15 goals in 42 appearances that season—his personal best in a single campaign—and credited Gasperini's demanding approach. Jeda told Mora: "When I read that Rodrigo Mora had arrived at Roma under Gasperini, I smiled. My boy, prepare yourself. Because Gasperini, when he sees talent, doesn't stroke it. He puts it to the test. He asks you for one more run, one more duel, one more sacrifice. And when you think you've given him everything, he still manages to find something more to pull out of you. I lived this on my own skin. At Crotone I played 42 matches. All of them. I scored 15 goals, my personal record in a season. Gasp respected me from day one, but that respect never became a discount. He constantly pushed me beyond the limit I thought I had. And today I can say it with gratitude: an important part of that season also bears his signature." Jeda urged Mora not to live on compliments and to work hard, listen, and embrace Gasperini's relentless demands. "The talent opened the door for you," he concluded. "Hunger will decide how far you can go."

Roma have signed Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born prospect, from Porto in a deal structured at €25 million up front plus 50% of any future sell-on fee, with an option for Roma to secure full ownership by paying an additional €25 million to the Portuguese club. The initial €25 million outlay ranks Mora as the eighth-most expensive Under-19 signing in Serie A history. Should Roma exercise the buyout clause and pay the extra €25 million, Mora would jump to third place on that all-time list, behind only Nico Paz (€66 million) and De Ligt (€85.5 million). The 19-year-old wears the number 86 shirt and represents a significant investment in Roma's youth strategy. The deal's structure—allowing Roma to defer the completion fee while retaining a financial stake in any onward transfer—reflects modern football's creative approach to high-risk signings of teenage talent. Mora's potential move into the top three most expensive U19 signings would underline Roma's ambition in the market.

Roma's transfer strategy has shifted following the official arrival of Rodrigo Mora. The club has now turned its attention toward the full-back position, with reduced pressure on winger targets. Interest in Malick Fofana and Alessio Cacciamani has cooled, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto. Roma had been in agreement with the Belgian winger for days but declined to greenlight negotiations with Lyon. The club viewed Lyon's asking price of €35 million plus bonuses as excessive. After restructuring the Mora deal to bring him to the capital, Roma chose to reprioritise its recruitment. Luis Henrique has now become Roma's primary target at left-back. The club is working to find an agreement with the player and his club on financial terms. The strategic recalibration reflects Roma's desire to address defensive depth on the flank rather than pursue additional attacking options at this stage of the window.