Pisilli Returns to Training; Eyes Serie A Debut Against Fiorentina

Roma face a critical fortnight in the transfer market with 11 days until the summer window closes and just over 72 hours before the 2026-27 season begins. The squad still lacks depth in two areas: a left-back and a left-winger. Head coach Gasperini wants at least two players for every position, so director D'Amico is exploring both signings and sales to balance the books. Jan Ziółkowski is the primary candidate to leave Rome. Although Gasperini prefers Ziółkowski over Ghilardi, the Polish defender has attracted more interest—particularly from Saudi Arabia, where Neom recently made an approach—because of his age and senior international experience. Roma are seeking €20 million for him, with 10 per cent of any future resale due to Legia Warsaw. Should Ziółkowski depart, Roma would need to find a replacement centre-back, likely on loan with a purchase option. Matías Soulé has also drawn fresh interest from Sunderland, managed by former Roma sporting director Ghisolfi, though no formal negotiations have opened. Gasperini has secured Manu Koné's future despite Manchester City's interest, viewing a replacement midfielder as impossible to source within the remaining timeframe. A double signing remains possible, but with left-back prioritized, the left-winger may only arrive following a departure.

Roma continues to search for offensive reinforcements as the transfer window enters its final 11 days, with left-back Luis Henrique of Inter emerging as the primary target for the wide position. A loan deal for Henrique is under negotiation, though no agreement has yet been reached with Inter over the formula. Midfield remains the secondary priority, with Roma working on loan moves after ruling out costly outright purchases. Manu Koné is expected to remain at Roma despite reported interest from Manchester City, as no formal bid has arrived at Trigoria. Alternatives at centre midfield—Fofana, Udogie, and Cacciamani—have all stalled. Fofana's €35 million-plus-bonus deal has been shelved because the Friedkin Group will not approve the current financial structure; Udogie faces obstacles both from Tottenham's refusal to negotiate a temporary transfer and from the player's own objections; Cacciamani has been deprioritized following resistance from Torino. Roma's ability to pursue incomings depends on outgoings. Ziolkowski has attracted interest from Neom, while Soulé has drawn attention from Sunderland. The club is now prioritizing loan arrangements with purchase options as a pathway forward given the constraints on spending.

Roma plan to sign one or two wingers to complete Gian Piero Gasperini's squad, but the Friedkin Group has signalled that any moves must be made without heavy spending unless unexpected sales occur. The club can pursue loan deals, potentially with purchase options, though the door remains open to exceptions in select cases. Roma's director of sport D'Amico is working to find sustainable alternatives. A move for Fofana was nearly agreed at 35 million plus bonuses, but the Friedkin Group will not sanction the deal under current terms. Cacciamani could represent an exception based on his age and cost, though Torino have shown no sign of changing their asking price. Inter value Luis Henrique at 25 million guaranteed, though there is scope for negotiation.

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma since arriving at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre on Wednesday, impressing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini enough to earn consideration for a starting place in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini is expected to deploy his customary 3-4-1-2 formation for the league debut, with three attacking midfielders operating behind the front pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé remains the favourite for the trequartista role, but Mora has risen sharply in the pecking order after impressing in initial training sessions. Bryan Cristante offers an alternative and defensive balance, though the ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, combined with Niccolò Pisilli's gradual return, may push Cristante back into midfield proper. The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with the visiting supporters' section now open to Fiorentina fans.

AS Roma has built a squad of striking youth following years of investing heavily in players under 25, creating a roster balanced between promising talent and senior experience. Paulo Dybala, who will turn 33 next November, is the oldest player on the books, followed by Bryan Cristante, Mario Hermoso and Pierluigi Gollini all aged 31, and Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini both 30. The remainder of the squad skews considerably younger, with 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora emerging as the club's most junior player, matched in age by Robinio Vaz though slightly older by a few months. Jan Ziółkowski is 21, while Castro and Niccolò Pisilli will turn 22 this year. The youth project, initiated under Daniele De Rossi, has been maintained throughout Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure across two transfer windows. Players born in 2003—Daniele Ghilardi, Devyne Rensch, Matías Soulé, Wesley and Koulierakis—form a strong cohort, with Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui the only two 25-year-olds in the squad. The young foundation is complemented by experienced operators: Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka are 27, while Molina is 28. This structure combines future potential with a stable base of proven professionalism.

Manu Koné will remain at Roma and start Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina, despite sustained transfer interest from Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United this summer. The midfielder rejected a €43 million offer from Atlético Madrid earlier in the window and has now emerged as a target for City, but Gasperini has made clear he is not for sale. Last season's statistics underpin the coach's stance. In the 11 matches Roma played without Koné, the team failed to win on six occasions, cementing his status as the midfield's cornerstone. Gasperini has built the current campaign around him, bolstered by praise from Patrick Vieira during the World Cup, who called him "a complete midfielder with still ample room for improvement". Koné has returned to training at Trigoria over the past ten days following international duty with France and is following a personalised programme to build his fitness ahead of the new season. Roma's midfield remains unchanged around him, completed by Bryan Cristante, Niccolò Pisilli, and Neil El Aynaoui as the club prepares to contest both Serie A and Champions League competition.

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma since arriving at the Fulvio Bernardini training centre on Wednesday, impressing head coach Gian Piero Gasperini enough to earn consideration for a starting place in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Gasperini is expected to deploy his customary 3-4-1-2 formation for the league debut, with three attacking midfielders operating behind the front pairing of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Matías Soulé remains the favourite for the trequartista role, but Mora has risen sharply in the pecking order after impressing in initial training sessions. Bryan Cristante offers an alternative and defensive balance, though the ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui, combined with Niccolò Pisilli's gradual return, may push Cristante back into midfield proper. The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with the visiting supporters' section now open to Fiorentina fans.

Rodrigo Mora has made an immediate impact at Roma's training base and is in contention to start against Fiorentina on Monday at the Olimpico, where the club will begin its Serie A campaign. The playmaker, who arrived on Wednesday at Trigoria, is competing for a starting role in the number 10 position alongside Matías Soulé and Bryan Cristante. Under Gasperini's preferred 3-4-1-2 formation against four-at-the-back defences, Soulé is currently favored but Mora has impressed the coach within two training sessions and could challenge for the role. Gasperini will conduct tactical work today and hold a pre-match press conference at Trigoria tomorrow, where the transfer market is expected to feature among topics discussed. Cristante would offer greater defensive balance in midfield, though the coach's options in that area are limited. Roma's sporting director D'Amico continues to work on securing a winger—a priority gap in the squad—while the club also pursues opportunities for an additional attacking reinforcement.

Manu Koné remains at the heart of Roma's midfield as Manchester City emerged as the latest club to monitor his availability, though Gian Piero Gasperini is determined to keep him at the club. The midfielder has attracted interest from Atlético Madrid (who tabled a €43 million offer that was rejected), Saudi Arabia, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. Manchester City have now signalled potential interest should their pursuit of Enzo Fernández collapse, but no formal approach has yet materialised and Koné is expected to stay. Gasperini views his retention as crucial. With only ten days left in the transfer window, replacing Koné would be nearly impossible, and the midfielder remains the strongest option available in Roma's squad despite not being perfect. The coach had concerns about Koné's attitude late last season when his focus appeared to drift towards World Cup considerations, though that situation has since been resolved. Last season across Serie A and Europa League, Koné was unavailable eleven times; Roma failed to win in six of those matches. The established midfield partnership with Bryan Cristante will continue as the foundation of Gasperini's setup. While Koné lacks a goal-scoring threat—an area unlikely to be his strength—he excels in all other facets of midfield play. Monday will mark the restart with him as a central fixture.

Roma have adjusted their transfer approach in the final days of the summer window, freezing negotiations for Lyon winger Malick Fofana (valued at over €40 million) to focus resources on signing a left-back to provide cover for Wesley. Director of Sport Tony D'Amico has scaled back ambitions to respect UEFA's strict Financial Fair Play rules and avoid potential sanctions or restrictions on European competition squad lists. Luis Henrique of Inter remains the primary target shared with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, valued for his versatility as both a central midfield winger and attacking winger. Inter continue to demand €30 million outright or a loan with a compulsory purchase clause (including conditional terms), and Roma are seeking a sustainable formula to complete the deal in the final hours of the market. A second attacking reinforcement—with Rafael Leão, Christopher Nkunku and Endrick among the club's wish list—can only materialise following the sale of a major asset worth at least €35 million. So far, however, Roma have received no adequate bids for Matias Soulé or Manu Koné.

Roma have shelved their pursuit of Lyon winger Malick Fofana and refocused their efforts on Inter's Luis Henrique as a left-sided backup to Wesley. Director D'Amico froze the Fofana negotiation for financial reasons, prioritising the Henrique deal despite Inter's firm stance: the Nerazzurri are demanding €30 million for a permanent transfer and will not accept a loan with an option to buy, insisting on an obligation instead, even if conditional. Gasperini is pressing D'Amico to complete the signing, viewing Henrique as ideal for Roma's style of play and capable of playing across the attacking line. The sense is that the deal could unblock in the closing days of the transfer window. Fofana's collapse was hastened by the arrival of Mora and Roma's inability to meet Lyon's minimum asking price of €40 million. Gasperini's wishlist for an additional attacking option includes Rafael Leão and Christopher Nkunku of Milan, Real Madrid's Endrick, and Fofana himself, but all remain out of reach under current financial constraints. Trigoria's watchword is caution. A double signing is not ruled out, but it will only materialise if a sale generates at least €35 million in revenue—a condition that will unlock funds for the winger Roma still want to recruit this summer.

AS Roma has built a squad of striking youth following years of investing heavily in players under 25, creating a roster balanced between promising talent and senior experience. Paulo Dybala, who will turn 33 next November, is the oldest player on the books, followed by Bryan Cristante, Mario Hermoso and Pierluigi Gollini all aged 31, and Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini both 30. The remainder of the squad skews considerably younger, with 19-year-old Rodrigo Mora emerging as the club's most junior player, matched in age by Robinio Vaz though slightly older by a few months. Jan Ziółkowski is 21, while Castro and Niccolò Pisilli will turn 22 this year. The youth project, initiated under Daniele De Rossi, has been maintained throughout Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure across two transfer windows. Players born in 2003—Daniele Ghilardi, Devyne Rensch, Matías Soulé, Wesley and Koulierakis—form a strong cohort, with Manu Koné and Neil El Aynaoui the only two 25-year-olds in the squad. The young foundation is complemented by experienced operators: Mile Svilar, Donyell Malen and Evan N'Dicka are 27, while Molina is 28. This structure combines future potential with a stable base of proven professionalism.