Pisilli central to Roma's project as Inter takes no concrete steps

Roma are tracking Barcelona right-back Hector Fort as director D'Amico expands the club's search for defensive reinforcements following the Rodrigo Mora operation. The 20-year-old Spanish defender, born in 2006, has received proposals from both Roma and Real Sociedad but is prioritising a move to Borussia Dortmund. Fort is willing to wait until the final day of the transfer window to complete a transfer to Germany, where Dortmund and Barcelona are in direct contact to find a solution. The hunt for a full-back comes as Roma continue their summer recruitment drive. Luis Henrique is among other targets being monitored by the club's recruitment department as Gasperini's side prepares for the 2026-27 season. Fort is capable of playing on both flanks, adding versatility to any potential move.

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 will begin their 2026-27 season on Monday evening at the Olimpico against Fiorentina. In Friday's training session at Trigoria, centre-back Niccolò Pisilli and forward Wesley both returned to full availability. Pisilli trained regularly with the squad after a recent knock, while Wesley, who had been working partially with the group, is targeting full fitness to start against Fiorentina. The club continues preparations as it pursues final transfer targets to complete the roster. Gasperini will hold his first pre-match press conference of the new season on Saturday at 13:30, where he is expected to discuss team selection and tactical plans ahead of the Fiorentina fixture.

Roma continued preparations at Trigoria on 20 August ahead of their Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday 24 August at 20:45. Niccolò Pisilli trained fully with the squad after overcoming a calf injury suffered in late July. Wesley worked partially with the group but is targeting a starting role on Monday evening. Rodrigo Mora, in his second training session since joining, also aims to convince head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to deploy him immediately in the new 2026-27 season. Gasperini will provide a full update on squad availability at a press conference on Saturday at 13:30, where the extent of preparations for Roma's opening fixture will become clearer.

Roma are in the final stages of their summer transfer business ahead of Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing moves for defensive and attacking reinforcements. The club's attacking setup will centre on Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, supported by Rodrigo Mora, who recently arrived at the club. Gasperini has requested a more physical midfielder, with Malick Fofana of Lyon emerging as the top target. An agreement in principle worth approximately €35 million plus bonuses has been reached, though Lyon wish to retain Fofana until 26 August for their Champions League preliminary round against Fenerbahce. The final decision now rests with the Friedkin Group. Parallel to the Fofana pursuit, Roma are exploring left-back options, with Alessio Cacciamani of Torino identified as the hottest lead. Torino's recent closure of defender Fortini in the same position may prompt owner Cairo to soften his initial demands. Alternative targets Udogie and Luis Henrique are considered more complicated, with formulae and costs regarded as prohibitively high. Roma's incoming activity is contingent on outgoings: the club must resolve the situations of Salah-Eddine, Ziolkowski, and Robinio Vaz, while Matías Soulé, valued at approximately €40 million and attracting Milan's interest, remains under monitoring. Gasperini has Niccolò Pisilli available for selection and is assessing Wesley's fitness ahead of Monday's match. The likely starting XI is expected to mirror last season's shape, with Molina on the flank and the Dybala–Soulé pairing behind Malen, while Mora is poised for a substitute appearance.