Pruzzo: Luis Henrique and Cacciamani don't represent a quality leap. Carina: Nkunku's salary is the obstacle

Porto coach Francesco Farioli addressed speculation surrounding Rodrigo Mora ahead of his side's match against Rio Ave, stating the player will be available for selection. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Farioli said: "This week there has been much clamour. We have been bombarded with news 24 hours a day with market rumours, but nothing more. Rodrigo Mora is a great professional, he is a Porto player, a great fan of the club and we will use him when we deem it appropriate. There is nothing new. The market is always like this. I do not agree with the fact that the market is open while we play, but it is absolutely normal and requires professionalism from all parties involved. The clubs that negotiate, the players who are the heart of what we do and we coaches must be sensitive to all issues." AS Roma and Porto continue to negotiate over Mora, though Roma are also evaluating alternative targets. Lyon midfielder Fofana is on their list of options as they pursue a defensive reinforcement in the current transfer window.

Roma continue to pursue Rodrigo Mora in an active transfer window, with sporting director D'Amico also evaluating alternative targets. According to Sportitalia, Lyon's Fofana is among the backup options; the French club has lowered its asking price and Roma will turn to the Belgian midfielder if talks over Mora break down. Nkunku, who was sought by Roma in January, remains under consideration, but a swap involving Matías Soulé has been ruled out. Soulé continues to attract interest from AC Milan. Nkunku faces significant competition for his signature, having fallen out of favour under Amorim's management, and several foreign clubs have made enquiries. Gasperini awaits the forward reinforcement he requires, having hoped to secure the player before mid-August, though further patience will be necessary.

Roma's pursuit of Luis Henrique has stalled over the Brazilian winger's salary expectations. The club views his wage demands as excessive, with the Inter player seeking a significant pay rise above what he currently earns at the Nerazzurri. According to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations are on hold as Roma assess both the financial gap and their strategic priorities. The impasse reflects broader concerns at the Giallorossi. While the gap with Inter remains a secondary factor, Roma's primary focus is addressing the left-sided attacking position—a core squad need that may take precedence in the coming weeks. Henrique's request for improved terms has pushed any deal into the background.

Roma have named their squad for tomorrow's friendly against Borussia Dortmund at 17:30, the final pre-season match following warm-up games against Trastevere, Primavera, Cannes, Cardiff, Newport and Brighton. The Giallorossi will fly to Germany on 14 August, with the match taking place on Ferragosto (15 August). Molina earns his first call-up and is available to head coach Gasperini, while Koné returns to the squad. Absent through injury are Pisilli and Pellegrini; Wesley is also ruled out with a mild ankle sprain. Academy player Morucci has been included in the attacking contingent. The 24-man squad includes three goalkeepers—De Marzi, Gollini and Svilar—and a broad defensive line featuring Rensch, Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Ziólkowski, Mannini, Reale, Lulli and Ghilardi. Cristante, El Aynaoui and Koné form the midfield core, while the attack comprises Castro, Malen, Soulé, Dybala, Vaz and Morucci. The squad depth reflects Roma's preparation for the new season amid the pre-campaign injury list.

Roma will face Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly on 15 August at 17:30 at Signal Iduna Park. Gian Piero Gasperini's side complete their build-up after a British tour with this test match in Germany. Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Neil El Aynaoui and Bryan Cristante anchor the midfield, with Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé supporting Donyell Malen in attack. Borussia Dortmund will deploy an identical shape, managed by Kovac. Tickets are available through the Borussia Dortmund club website. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, with live text updates available on ilromanista.eu.

Roma's defence, which finished as Serie A's second-best last season, has shown alarming fragility during their pre-season tour of Britain. The Giallorossi conceded eight goals across three friendlies—four against Cardiff, one against Newport, and three against Brighton—with the tally rising to 11 when including a 3–3 draw against Cannes. Against Brighton on 8 August, Gasperini made wholesale defensive changes after Roma had shipped three goals in 49 minutes, introducing Ghilardi and new arrival Koulierakis while withdrawing N'Dicka and Hermoso. The ivory-coast central defender had failed to close down Ayari's double, prompting Gasperini to turn to the bench and shout "Let's change." Hermoso, managing an ankle problem, allowed Rutter to nearly extend the lead moments after the 3–0. Earlier defensive lapses against Cardiff exposed deeper issues: Ahsford's opener came after N'Dicka slipped and a rebound off Rensch, while Salech's second followed a costly Svilar error on a dangerous Wesley backpass. El Aynaoui was substituted at half-time after a misplaced pass that set up Ayari's second goal, and Rensch drew criticism for poor decision-making. The unit that had anchored Roma's recent success now appears fragile heading into the season. Gasperini acknowledged the work ahead, saying "the team is struggling to switch back on," highlighting the scale of the challenge to restore defensive solidity before competitive fixtures begin.