Porto halt Mora talks, demand stronger payment guarantees

Radio commentators have criticised Roma's transfer approach this summer, arguing the club overpays whenever pursuing a player. Carina told Radio Radio: "Every time Roma approaches a player, everyone raises the price. You have money to spend but you struggle to spend it because they ask for more." He noted that Castro will cost Bologna around 40 million euros, Lucumí went to Juventus for 20 million, yet Roma spent 18 million on Koulierakis, an unknown quantity. Carina also raised concerns over Porto's latest demands for Mora: the club now wants 10 million euros for the loan (up from 7 million) and is demanding the obligation to buy be unconditional rather than tied to Roma's Champions League qualification and 60 per cent appearance threshold. Orsi observed that Gasperini expected a different market this summer, noting Roma has completed only a couple of its stated targets while missing on more important ones. Torri was more blunt, stating: "The Roma wants to buy for 50 million a bench player at Porto" and questioned why Porto would sell Mora if no other club was offering that fee. He suggested Roma could instead target Moreira and two free agents, or push for Arsenal's Martinelli at 45 million euros. Pruzzo highlighted that Roma now has two quality forwards but faces wider squad gaps, while acknowledging friendly results gave a negative impression. The transfer window remains open, with several targets unresolved.

Rodrigo Mora is close to joining Roma, with his former coach providing an in-depth assessment of his readiness for Italian football. The coach described Mora as a player with strong personality, ambition and winning mentality who is "more than ready" for the demands of Serie A. "Beyond his football talent, he is an exemplary professional," the coach said. Mora is characterized as a tactically intelligent player with refined technical ability and dynamic movement across all phases of play. "He has a special rapport with the ball, refined and intelligent from a tactical standpoint," the coach explained. "He doesn't fear responsibility—he wants the ball, wants to play and wants to make a difference." On his mental strength, the coach noted: "He is very mentally and emotionally strong. He is very competitive with a winning mentality. He doesn't fear the game and rarely suffers under pressure. Rather, the bigger the challenge, the more he grows." The coach offered tactical guidance for Gasperini, Roma's head coach: "Rodrigo is a player who likes to have the ball and knows how to use it. He can dialogue with teammates, create space for himself and the squad, and most importantly, loves to play near goal. He has the quality and composure to be decisive in the box." While Mora can play across offensive positions, including as a winger, the coach believes he performs best in a central role where he has greater ball involvement.

Roma are navigating a complex summer transfer window constrained by settlement agreement rules, working simultaneously on exits and targeted acquisitions to strengthen Gasperini's squad. The club may be forced to sell two or three key players—including Matías Soulé and particularly Manu Koné, who is being courted by Premier League clubs—to comply with financial parameters and avoid European competition sanctions. Should the French midfielder depart, Roma are exploring a loan move for Teun Koopmeiners, a profile Gasperini knows intimately and would integrate readily into his tactical system. Meanwhile, the sporting director is pressing hard on the Cacciamani front. Roma have progressively increased their offer for the 2007-born winger to over 12 million euros plus 3 million in bonuses, drawing closer to Torino's asking price. Club owner Urbano Cairo has signalled openness to a deal, recognizing the difficulty of retaining a talent strongly championed by Gasperini himself. The teenager represents the kind of targeted reinforcement Roma are prioritizing as they balance the dual demand of raising funds through strategic sales while delivering competitive depth to their head coach.

Roma must quicken their transfer activity with less than two weeks until the Serie A season begins. Head coach Gasperini has signalled urgency to the club following a heavy defeat to Brighton, stating: "Numerically it seems there is still a need for something, but you know how it is." Koné returned to training today and Molina arrived in the capital yesterday, providing important reinforcements, but the coach insists the squad-building remains incomplete. Gasperini has emphasised the need for depth across positions, particularly given Champions League participation: "Having at least two players per role is essential for those competing in cups. Those who don't do it pay heavily." Gasperini's original shopping list comprised a defender, a winger and two forwards. Koulierakis has arrived for defence, Castro for attack, and Molina on the wing—filling three of four targets. The priority now is a second striker. Roma have identified Rodrigo Mora from Porto, with negotiations progressing well; the club hopes to complete that deal in the coming hours. The second gap is at left-back: while Molina covered Çelik's departure on the right, Gasperini needs cover for Wesley on the opposite flank, particularly after losing both Angeliño and Tsimikas from the previous season. Roma are focusing on Alessio Cacciamani and Destiny Udogie, contrasting profiles suited to strengthen the left-back options. The work ahead is significant, and time is running short.

Roma have moved decisively in the transfer market, with nineteen-year-old Porto forward Rodrigo Mora close to joining the club and Argentine right-back Nahuel Molina officially arriving in the capital. Molina landed at Ciampino airport after Roma agreed a deal with Atlético Madrid worth 13 million euros plus 4 million in bonuses. He will replace Zeki Çelik on the right flank. The Mora deal is in its final stages, with Roma having worked extensively to fend off competition from Galatasaray. Porto president André Villas-Boas has agreed terms involving 25 million euros upfront—with 50 per cent of any future resale profit returning to Porto—plus a further 25 million euros in 2027. Mora will sign a five-year contract, a profile that immediately impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The move accelerates after the Endrick pursuit collapsed, with the Brazilian now bound for Real Madrid. With midfielder Manu Koné returning to full availability and expected returns of Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the horizon, Gasperini is building squad depth. Roma are also monitoring possible departures of Matías Soulé and Neil El Aynaoui to maintain financial balance, but the focus is on assembling a competitive, technically strong group ready for Serie A and European football.

Roma are working to sign Tottenham left-back Udogie, an Italy international and former Verona and Udinese player, after he gave his availability to return to Italian football. The move is positioned as a reinforcement on the flanks following the departures of Angeliño, Çelik and Tsimikas from last season, with only Molina having arrived so far to fill that void. Negotiations are currently on hold, however, as Roma's director of football must resolve two preliminary tasks. The first is to complete a deal for winger Mora — expected to be Gasperini's next signing — from a London club asking around 30 million euros, which would free up funds to pursue Udogie. Fiorentina have also targeted the Tottenham player, but the club do not appear inclined to make an investment of that scale. Roma are more committed to the pursuit. Udogie was previously approached by Fiorentina through Paolo Paratici, the former Tottenham executive, and has indicated willingness to join. His agent, Emeka, is understood to be facilitating the move. The agent is keen to rehabilitate his reputation following what is characterised as poor handling of negotiations over Sancho last season.