Pellegrini close to new Roma deal through 2029

Roma continue to pursue a left winger after weeks of searching, with Chelsea's Gittens emerging as a target. Gasperini's side want to bring the winger to the capital on loan, but Chelsea are reluctant to part with him on those terms. The situation hinges on Mudryk's future at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are working on an exit for the Ukrainian forward, who is being directed towards a loan move to Strasbourg despite his preference to remain in the Premier League. If Mudryk leaves, Chelsea will have fewer options on the wing, with Rogers as the main reference point and Gittens as an alternative—precisely what makes it difficult for Roma to negotiate his departure. Roma's search for the right winger has been ongoing for months. Earlier targets including Fofana fell through after the Friedkin Group decided against pursuing the player due to physical condition concerns. With the transfer window closing soon, convincing Chelsea to release Gittens on loan will prove extremely challenging. Roma are trying, but the outcome depends on what happens with Mudryk first.

Jamie Gittens has struggled to replicate his Borussia Dortmund form since joining Chelsea in summer 2025 for more than €50 million. The English winger, who arrived at Dortmund from Manchester City's academy in 2020 at age 16, had emerged as one of Europe's most exciting attacking prospects during the 2024–25 season, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists while leading the Bundesliga with an average of 4.2 successful dribbles per match—well ahead of rivals Jamie Leweling, Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman. He also ranked second across Europe's top five leagues for successful dribbles that season with 76, behind only Lamine Yamal. At Chelsea, however, Gittens has managed only 29 appearances, two goals and six assists, hampered by muscular injuries and rotation policy despite the arrival of manager Xabi Alonso. The 2004-born winger's career at Dortmund was marked by repeated setbacks—a serious ankle ligament injury early in his development and a shoulder injury interrupted his progress before his breakthrough in the 2023–24 Champions League season. Gittens scored in a crucial match against AC Milan at San Siro that helped Dortmund reach the knockout stages. His 2024–25 campaign under Nuri Sahin and then Nico Kovac saw him finally deliver on his enormous potential with clinical finishing and elite dribbling. The article suggests Gian Piero Gasperini and Roma could provide the right environment for him to rediscover that form and reignite his trajectory.

Roma have been offered Oosterwolde, the Fenerbahçe defender who can also operate as a left-back, as the club continues to search for reinforcements with eleven days remaining in the transfer window. The Dutch defender has long been on Roma's radar, but his current status is a concern: he is out with a muscle problem, and Roma will conduct fitness evaluations before making any move. Any deal for Oosterwolde would have to be structured as a loan, matching Roma's approach to other potential signings. Luis Henrique is also being pursued on a temporary basis, though negotiations with Inter remain difficult—the Nerazzurri want to include a €28 million obligation in the agreement, creating distance between the clubs. Moves for Cacciamani and Udogie are considered unlikely.

Roma will host Fiorentina on Monday 24 August at 20:45 at Stadio Olimpico, and Wesley has recovered from an ankle problem to be available for selection. The Brazilian will occupy the left flank for the match. Niccolò Pisilli has also trained with the group and is likely to start from the bench. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini continues preparations at Trigoria ahead of the fixture. Lorenzo Pellegrini's fitness is still being assessed; the midfielder is targeting a return to the squad for Roma's next match against Atalanta on 5 September at the Olimpico.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

Sebino Nela, the legendary Roma defender and 1982–83 Scudetto winner, has assessed Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the transfer deadline, which falls in less than two weeks. Nela believes Roma has improved but still requires reinforcements in two areas: a wide midfielder and a winger striker. "The Roma has still need of a wide midfielder and of a winger striker," Nela told Il Tempo. "The season is long, there are three competitions and it is important to have a deep squad. In the football of five substitutions, having a bench of level can make the difference." On the summer arrivals, Nela praised Castro and Molina but urged patience with Koulierakis, who is adapting to Italian football. He remains cautious about Rodrigo Mora as an attacking option, questioning whether his profile matches what the team needs despite Gasperini's backing. However, Nela acknowledged that if Mora flourishes under the coach's guidance, "a day, maybe, he will become a new Dybala, especially if he follows the coach's indications." He suggested a strong one-on-one player capable of scoring goals would complete an attack already bolstered by Soulé, Dybala, Mora, and Pellegrini.

Roma begin their 2026–27 Serie A campaign at the Olimpico on Monday night against Fiorentina, fresh from securing Champions League football via third place last season. Bookmakers have installed the Giallorossi as clear favourites: a Roma win is priced at 1.60 on Snai, a draw at 4.00, and a Fiorentina victory at 5.75. Four of the last five meetings between the clubs have produced at least three goals combined, as have all of Roma's pre-season friendlies, making Over (1.86) slightly favoured over Under (1.91). Gasperini is expected to deploy two forwards with Paulo Dybala in support, though new signing Rodrigo Mora is anticipated to start on the bench. Santiago Castro, Roma's new number 9, leads the goalscorer markets at 2.40, narrowly ahead of Dybala and Donyell Malen, both at 2.50. Among the wider options, Nahuel Molina is quoted at 12.00 and Wesley at 9.00. Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini are priced at 7.50 and 12.00 respectively. The exact scoreline deemed most likely is 1–0 to Roma at 7.00, followed by 2–0 and 1–1 at 7.50 each.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

Sebino Nela, the legendary Roma defender and 1982–83 Scudetto winner, has assessed Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the transfer deadline, which falls in less than two weeks. Nela believes Roma has improved but still requires reinforcements in two areas: a wide midfielder and a winger striker. "The Roma has still need of a wide midfielder and of a winger striker," Nela told Il Tempo. "The season is long, there are three competitions and it is important to have a deep squad. In the football of five substitutions, having a bench of level can make the difference." On the summer arrivals, Nela praised Castro and Molina but urged patience with Koulierakis, who is adapting to Italian football. He remains cautious about Rodrigo Mora as an attacking option, questioning whether his profile matches what the team needs despite Gasperini's backing. However, Nela acknowledged that if Mora flourishes under the coach's guidance, "a day, maybe, he will become a new Dybala, especially if he follows the coach's indications." He suggested a strong one-on-one player capable of scoring goals would complete an attack already bolstered by Soulé, Dybala, Mora, and Pellegrini.