Radio Voices: Pes rates Balerdi transfer as summer's best deal

Roma radio commentators have weighed in on the club's transfer activity, with consensus that midfielder De Roon's arrival was a logical step following Kessie's departure from Atalanta. Garbo praised De Roon as a trusted Gasperini ally with strong European experience, noting he "can serve in the dressing room too and can give a lot in certain matches." Pugliese flagged intense activity on the attacking front, suggesting Roma are poised for significant moves in the coming 72 hours. He indicated that two forward arrivals could follow if Soulé leaves the club. Gasperini continues to pursue a right-footed winger; Luiz Henrique, who plays on the right rather than the left, is under consideration, and work is ongoing on Gittens.

Roma's prospects for the 2026–27 season drew mixed assessments from prominent radio commentators on 29 August, with particular focus on the squad's readiness and the still-unresolved left-wing forward slot. Roberto Pruzzo told Radio Radio Mattino that Roma are "a strong squad, stronger still if they sign the left-sided forward," but stressed the importance of Paulo Dybala's physical condition: "I have the feeling that much of what will make Roma stronger than last season will depend on Dybala's condition more than the transfer campaign. Castro is one of the best available on the market; I'm convinced he'll have more playing time than people think. I hope Rodrigo Mora gains confidence and personality." Sandro Sabatini, also on Radio Radio Mattino, was harsher: "The left-sided forward position at Roma has become a joke—it's been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't been filled. A Dybala like the one we saw against Fiorentina, we haven't seen in ten years. Mora's start pleased me, but if the shirt had said Baldanzi on it we'd have talked about a good Baldanzi performance. He certainly stood out with meticulous marking of Fagioli." Earlier on Radio Radio pomeriggio, Giancarlo Padovan remarked that Roma were "the team that played best among those who featured on the opening day," and that Gasperini's tactical approach, "once absorbed by the players, is an idea that can take them far. I don't know if it's in the Champions League or the domestic campaign, but Rome can get into the top 24, and after that we'll see." Luca Marchetti noted the squad's structure under Gasperini: "one piece is still missing, at the level of names that warning light keeps flashing." He praised Mora as "strong and bold—someone not physically structured, who reads the play early." Paolo Cannavaro discussed the left-back situation: Wesley was initially deployed at right-back, but no replacement has arrived; without a signing, Devyne Rensch will play left-back as "an adapted player." Federico Camelio raised tactical concerns: "Mora is not a winger, not a Papu Gómez, nothing like him. The manager has made two choices on the flank and still nobody arrives." Daniele Ordine suggested if the market deals close as expected—"adding a Kessié and not selling Koné"—Roma would field "a squad of real substance" capable of reaching the knockout stages.

Roman radio stations aired mixed reaction to Roma's performance against Fiorentina and the club's transfer strategy. Sandro Sabatini (Radio Radio Mattino) highlighted the ongoing struggle to secure a left-sided attacker, saying: "The Roma left winger has become a joke, it has been going on for over a year and a half and still hasn't arrived." Sabatini praised Paulo Dybala's display, noting: "A Dybala like the one against Fiorentina we haven't seen in 10 years." He offered a measured assessment of Rodrigo Mora's debut, stating: "Mora's start pleased me, but if the shirt had said Baldanzi we would have spoken of a good Baldanzi performance. He certainly stood out in a scrupulous marking of Fagioli." Nando Orsi (Radio Radio Mattino) set higher expectations for Mora given his transfer fee, saying: "Mora was paid quite a bit and for that reason I expect him to be decisive from the start. We need continuity and for him to be decisive in the important phases of a match." Roberto Pruzzo (Radio Radio Mattino) assessed Roma as strong and noted that resolving the left-wing issue would make them stronger still. He highlighted Santiago Castro as one of the best available signings on the market, stating: "I am convinced he will have more playing time than we think." Pruzzo concluded: "I hope Mora gains confidence and personality." Pruzzo also suggested that Roma's overall strength this season may owe more to Paulo Dybala's form than to the summer's transfer activity, and expressed optimism about the squad's trajectory.

Marten De Roon arrived at Roma on 30 August as a surprise move to replace Neil El Aynaoui. The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder has signed a one-year contract worth €2 million net. Roma will pay a maximum of €600,000 in bonuses to secure the deal, with the club finding support from the Atalanta ownership to release De Roon on favourable terms.

Neil El Aynaoui has left Roma to join RB Leipzig on loan. The deal is structured as a loan with an upfront fee of €3 million plus €1 million in performance bonuses, with Leipzig holding a purchase option valued at €28 million. Roma have also negotiated a sell-on clause worth approximately 20 per cent of any future transfer fee if Leipzig later sell the player. The departure allows Roma to generate immediate revenue and create additional financial flexibility ahead of the closing of the summer transfer window. The club intends to redirect those resources toward the attacking department, where the search for a new winger remains an active priority.

Marten de Roon has joined Roma from Atalanta on a free transfer and is available for Gasperini's squad for today's away fixture at Lecce. The Dutch midfielder has signed a one-year contract until 2027 worth 2 million euros net, with performance bonuses including a scudetto bonus totalling up to 600,000 euros. He takes the number 15 shirt and brings midfield experience to the club. De Roon's arrival follows the departure of Neil El Aynaoui, who has joined RB Leipzig on a costly loan deal worth 3 million euros with a purchase option set at 28 million. The move resolves a squad imbalance at the heart of Gasperini's midfield in the final days of the transfer window.

Marten De Roon has joined AS Roma and is determined to move past a 2023 incident when he posted a photo with a middle-finger gesture and text mocking the club after Atalanta's victory over the giallorossi. The post drew controversy and a €2,500 fine. In his first interview at Trigoria, De Roon said he had not authorised publication of that post. "I always play around on social media, but on that occasion I overstepped the mark," he explained. "I didn't authorise that post against the giallorossi — it sounds like a lie but it's true. I'm very sorry." He pledged to prove himself on the pitch rather than through words: "Social media is one thing, I want to demonstrate on the field that I am someone who goes beyond that. I will give everything for the shirt and want to repay the trust with facts." De Roon spent nine years at Atalanta under Gasperini, serving as captain, and the coach has now brought him to Roma. The midfielder is excited by his new surroundings. "I'm super happy, it's something very beautiful," he said of Trigoria. "Roma is a great club, the training ground is top level and I'm eager to begin." He is already familiar with the Olimpico but always faced it as an opponent. He relishes the prospect of Champions League football this season: "Last season Roma was in great form, the Olimpico is special, always full and impressive. The fans are very warm and this year we'll play against very strong teams in the Champions League, the atmosphere will be amazing. We must enjoy these evenings and try to achieve great results." De Roon believes he can contribute immediately. He knows Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini from Serie A, and two fellow Dutch players are already at the club: Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. "I want to help because I know Gasperini's system very well. There are two Dutch lads: Malen and Rensch. I want to play my part and I've joined a very strong squad," he said. He acknowledged he must now earn the affection of Roma supporters who saw him as an enemy until recently: "Super happy to be here, I can't wait to play in front of you at the Olimpico. I hope to be welcomed in the right way. Daje Roma."

Marten De Roon was officially announced as a Roma signing on 30 August, becoming the club's sixth summer reinforcement under Gian Piero Gasperini following the arrival of Leonardo Balerdi. The Dutch midfielder spoke to the club's official media, addressing his transfer, his long-standing relationship with Gasperini, and a previous social media episode that drew criticism from Roma supporters. De Roon spent nine years under Gasperini at his previous club, where he served as captain. "I've played nine years with him, we achieved fantastic results. I was his captain, he took me to a very high level. I thank him for that," De Roon said. "We spoke a day ago, we did this move quickly and he gave me the opportunity to come here. The club also wanted me, and that's not guaranteed: I thank everyone." On joining Roma, he added: "I'm super happy, it's beautiful. A transfer like this, to a big club, is special. I've seen the training ground: it's the highest level. I'm very keen to start." Regarding a controversial social media post from his time as an opponent of Roma, De Roon apologised to the fanbase. "On that occasion I think I crossed the line," he said. "There's an explanation: it sounds like an excuse, but it's the only time I didn't authorise the post, because I had an interview after the match. I'm sorry, because I went too far." He stressed his commitment to proving himself on the pitch: "I want to demonstrate on the field who I am: someone who goes beyond, who gives everything for the shirt. Now I have to repay this trust with actions." De Roon highlighted the strength of Roma's squad, mentioning Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini, and noted the presence of fellow Dutch players Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. On playing at the Olimpico, he said: "The stadium is something special: every time I've played here I've been impressed, always full and with very passionate fans. Bringing Champions League to the Olimpico against strong teams will give us an amazing atmosphere."

AS Roma confirmed the signing of midfielder Marten De Roon on 30 August, making him the sixth summer addition under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini following the arrival of Leonardo Balerdi. The Dutch midfielder, who spent nine years under Gasperini at a previous club where he served as captain, addressed his new club's official channels and spoke candidly about a past social media incident that drew criticism. De Roon acknowledged overstepping the mark with a previous post against Roma. "In that occasion I think I went over the limit," he said. "There is an explanation: it seems like a lie, but it was the only time I didn't authorise the post, because I had an interview after the match. I'm sorry, because I exaggerated." He emphasised his commitment to proving himself on the pitch rather than through social media: "I want to show on the field who I am: someone who goes beyond, who gives everything for the shirt. Now I have to repay this trust with facts." On joining Roma, De Roon expressed enthusiasm about the club's facilities and atmosphere. "I'm super happy, it's beautiful. A transfer like this, to a big club, is special," he said. Regarding the Stadio Olimpico environment, he added: "The stadium is something special: every time I've played here I've been impressed, always full with very warm fans. Playing Champions League at the Olimpico against strong teams will give us an amazing atmosphere." He highlighted the quality of the existing squad, naming Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini as established figures, and noted the presence of fellow Dutch players Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. De Roon concluded with a direct message to Roma supporters: "I can't wait to play in front of you at the Olimpico. I hope to be welcomed in the right way. Daje Roma."

Marten De Roon has joined AS Roma and is determined to move past a 2023 incident when he posted a photo with a middle-finger gesture and text mocking the club after Atalanta's victory over the giallorossi. The post drew controversy and a €2,500 fine. In his first interview at Trigoria, De Roon said he had not authorised publication of that post. "I always play around on social media, but on that occasion I overstepped the mark," he explained. "I didn't authorise that post against the giallorossi — it sounds like a lie but it's true. I'm very sorry." He pledged to prove himself on the pitch rather than through words: "Social media is one thing, I want to demonstrate on the field that I am someone who goes beyond that. I will give everything for the shirt and want to repay the trust with facts." De Roon spent nine years at Atalanta under Gasperini, serving as captain, and the coach has now brought him to Roma. The midfielder is excited by his new surroundings. "I'm super happy, it's something very beautiful," he said of Trigoria. "Roma is a great club, the training ground is top level and I'm eager to begin." He is already familiar with the Olimpico but always faced it as an opponent. He relishes the prospect of Champions League football this season: "Last season Roma was in great form, the Olimpico is special, always full and impressive. The fans are very warm and this year we'll play against very strong teams in the Champions League, the atmosphere will be amazing. We must enjoy these evenings and try to achieve great results." De Roon believes he can contribute immediately. He knows Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini from Serie A, and two fellow Dutch players are already at the club: Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch. "I want to help because I know Gasperini's system very well. There are two Dutch lads: Malen and Rensch. I want to play my part and I've joined a very strong squad," he said. He acknowledged he must now earn the affection of Roma supporters who saw him as an enemy until recently: "Super happy to be here, I can't wait to play in front of you at the Olimpico. I hope to be welcomed in the right way. Daje Roma."

Marten De Roon presented himself officially to Roma on 31 August 2026, expressing delight at joining the club. "I'm super happy, it's really something very beautiful. The transfer to a great society, I saw the sports centre and it's high level and I have so much desire to start," De Roon said at his unveiling. De Roon spent nine years under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at his previous club, where he regularly started and served as captain. He credited Gasperini with developing both him and the squad to a high standard. "When we spoke a few days ago he made a big effort and gave me this opportunity to come here, and for that I thank him so much. I also thank the club and the society that wanted me: it's not at all obvious, I'm really super happy," De Roon said. He acknowledged Roma's current strength, noting that "the squad is there, it's very strong. There are guys like Bryan Cristante, who I know, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini, who have played here for many years. I want to give a hand, I know Gasperini's game very well." On a previous social media post that appeared to target Roma, De Roon clarified his approach: "I'm someone who always jokes on social media, I always try to push the limit. On that occasion I think I overstepped the limit. There's an explanation though: with two friends I manage my social media. It was the only time – it seems like a lie but it's true – where I didn't authorise the post, because I had many interviews after the match. I'm sorry because I overstepped the limit." He expressed eagerness to play at the Olimpico, describing the stadium as "something very special" and noting that Roma's return to Champions League football creates "a crazy environment." De Roon sent a message to Roma supporters: "I'm super happy to be here. I can't wait to play at the Olimpico in front of you, because I realise it's a very special environment. I hope you welcome me in the right way. Forza Roma!"

Marten De Roon has given his first interview as a Roma player, addressing his previous social media comments about the club while expressing enthusiasm for his move from Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini. The Dutch midfielder spoke to the club's official channels about the excitement of joining a top-tier organisation, his nine-year relationship with Gasperini at his former club, and his eagerness to play Champions League football at the Olimpico. De Roon clarified the contentious social media posts that had drawn criticism from Roma supporters. "I'm someone who always jokes on social media, I always try to push the limit," he said. "On that occasion I think I went over the limit. But there's an explanation: two friends and I manage my social media. It was the only time—it seems like a lie but it's true—that I didn't authorise the post, because I had many interviews after the match. I'm sorry because I went over the limit." He added: "I want to demonstrate on the pitch that I go beyond the limit, I give everything for the shirt and I must repay this trust with facts." De Roon emphasized his gratitude to Gasperini, saying the coach "brought me up high" during their time at Atalanta and played him consistently, even as captain at times. He praised the club's training facilities and highlighted Roma's strength as a squad, naming Bryan Cristante, Paulo Dybala, and Gianluca Mancini among the experienced players already at the club. On Roma's Champions League campaign, he said: "The stadium is something very special, every time I've played here I was impressed, full of very warm fans. Bringing the Champions League back to the Olimpico against very strong teams gives us an incredible atmosphere. We must enjoy these evenings and try to achieve great results." Closing his remarks, De Roon told Roma's supporters: "I can't wait to play at the Olimpico in front of you, because I realise it's a very special environment. I hope you welcome me in the right way. Forza Roma!"