Pellegrini commits to Roma recovery; Gasperini signals need for reinforcements

Roma continue their pursuit of Torino midfielder Cacciamani, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini now backing the move after rejecting the idea a year ago. The club believe the €20 million fee demanded by Torino is no longer an insurmountable obstacle and have signalled their willingness to meet the cost through a combination of fixed payments and performance bonuses. Roma are also offering technical counterparts to sweeten the deal. One player proposed is 24-year-old left-back Anass Salah-Eddine, who was previously targeted by Torino a year ago when Vagnati was in charge at the Turin club. The inclusion of a player plus cash arrangement reflects Roma's determination to bridge what has gradually become a narrower gap in negotiations. Gasperini's change of position is notable, as he had previously declined the opportunity to bring Cacciamani to the capital. The evolving talks suggest Roma are confident of finding a path forward in what was initially considered a difficult transfer to complete.

Roma are stepping up their summer business following the completion of their second pre-season training camp in the UK. The focus remains on Porto winger Rodrigo Mora, with director D'Amico seeking the right formula to bridge the gap between Roma's offer and Porto's asking price of €45–50 million. According to the Corriere della Sera, Mora has already secured approval for a release clause of €120 million to be inserted into his Roma contract. Negotiations between Roma and Porto continued overnight. The club are also pursuing Torino's Alessio Cacciamani as a young winger option, with Roma prepared to offer at least €15 million as they close the gap with Torino's valuation. Technical player swap arrangements—such as involving Salah-Eddine—remain under consideration. Endrick of Aston Villa is another target, though his arrival would depend on Matías Soulé's departure; Roma could accept €35 million for Soulé if the Turkish market—notably Galatasaray—makes a move. Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal, who is out of contract, is also being monitored. On outgoings, Cherubini is divided between offers from Benevento and Las Palmas, while Zelezny is heading to Perugia; Lulli and Reale remain with the first team for now. Defender Nahuel Molina is expected to arrive in Rome today, with his flight landing at Ciampino airport at 18:25.

Wesley has spoken about his second season at Roma following a standout first year, discussing the club's return to the Champions League after seven years and the adjustments required under head coach Gasperini. The Brazilian winger reflected on the difference between the competition and South America's Copa Libertadores, saying: "I don't know how it will be to play it. I can say that Libertadores is a very tough and difficult competition, but I don't think it can come close in absolute terms to the Champions League. The strongest players play here, there's a higher standard. For the quality of those who participate in it, I think the Champions League is a kind of club World Cup." He expressed confidence that Roma will improve after a demanding pre-season, stating: "We come from a fantastic season, now we're starting again, we're working hard to face the new season and if something goes wrong or we lose matches like those against Cardiff or Brighton, it's better it happens now and not later." Gasperini has adjusted Wesley's role, asking him to finish moves rather than just assist teammates as he did at Flamengo. Wesley explained: "At Flamengo I had to reach the bottom and cross or assist a teammate. At Roma Gasp asks me to finish the action. He wants this, for me to attack. And to be able to enter the area to shoot or do something different." With the arrival of Molina, Wesley is transitioning to a left-wing position, a move he accepts despite it not being his natural flank. On the prospect of Endrick joining Roma, Wesley said: "I haven't heard from him, but I would very much like it if Endrick could come to Roma, but it's up to him what's best for his future. I would like to see many Brazilians here at Roma. If someone like Endrick really arrived I would be very happy."

Wesley addressed the media during Roma's British pre-season tour following a heavy defeat to Brighton, offering a measured assessment of the club's preparations for the 2026-27 season. The Brazilian winger struck a pragmatic note about the loss, saying: "We come from a fantastic year, now we are working hard to face the new season and if there must be matches that go wrong or something happens that is wrong it is better that it happens in these pre-season friendlies. We must understand before the start of the championship what we are getting wrong and how to correct it. So there is nothing left but to improve and ensure that what we saw with Brighton does not happen when things become serious in a couple of weeks. I am sure that at the start we will be ready and stronger." When asked about a potential arrival of fellow Brazilian Endrick, Wesley acknowledged his interest while emphasising that recruitment decisions rest with the club hierarchy: "It is clear that I would like him to come, but these are decisions that do not belong to me. They belong to him, to the club. There are many Brazilian players who could come and help us, but these are decisions that belong to the sporting director." Wesley also praised the return of Lorenzo Pellegrini to the squad and expressed his anticipation ahead of Champions League football: "I am happy he has returned with us in the squad, he is a player who can give us a great hand. Champions? I do not know what it will be like to play it, for me it is the first time. The Libertadores is a very hard and difficult competition but I do not think it can come close to the Champions which for the players who participate in it is a sort of World Cup. I am very curious, I expect to play great matches and thus give so much happiness to all Roma fans."

Roma returned to Italy on the afternoon of 8 August following a 3–0 friendly defeat to Brighton during their ten-day training camp in Wales and England. The squad travelled by coach to London before boarding a direct flight to Fiumicino. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini granted his players two full days of rest before resuming work. Training resumes on Tuesday at the Fulvio Bernardini centre in Trigoria, where Lorenzo Pellegrini will rejoin the group. Gasperini also expects to have Nahuel Molina on the pitch the same day. The Argentine right-back is set to arrive in Rome in the coming days to undergo medical tests ahead of signing his contract with Roma.

Gian Piero Gasperini is evaluating the possibility of organising a second training camp away from Trigoria during the first international break of the season, which will last three weeks this year. The Roma head coach identified multiple areas to refine following the summer tour of Wales and England, where he was able to integrate only new arrival Konstantinos Koulierakis into his system while awaiting the arrival of Nahuel Molina in the capital. The squad resumes work at Trigoria on Tuesday to prepare for a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, the final warm-up before the Serie A season opener against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August. The proposed September retreat holds particular strategic importance for Lorenzo Pellegrini, Roma's recently renewed captain. Pellegrini missed the summer training camp for the second consecutive year due to ongoing physical issues and is expected to return between late September and early October. A second pre-season block would allow him to build the necessary fitness to reach full condition. Gasperini's wider focus extends beyond squad integration, with the strategic use of the extended international break providing an opportunity to fine-tune preparations ahead of the campaign's crucial opening weeks.