Rensch emerges as unexpected hero under Gasperini, a versatile option for Roma's future

Sebino Nela, the legendary Roma defender and 1982–83 Scudetto winner, has assessed Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the transfer deadline, which falls in less than two weeks. Nela believes Roma has improved but still requires reinforcements in two areas: a wide midfielder and a winger striker. "The Roma has still need of a wide midfielder and of a winger striker," Nela told Il Tempo. "The season is long, there are three competitions and it is important to have a deep squad. In the football of five substitutions, having a bench of level can make the difference." On the summer arrivals, Nela praised Castro and Molina but urged patience with Koulierakis, who is adapting to Italian football. He remains cautious about Rodrigo Mora as an attacking option, questioning whether his profile matches what the team needs despite Gasperini's backing. However, Nela acknowledged that if Mora flourishes under the coach's guidance, "a day, maybe, he will become a new Dybala, especially if he follows the coach's indications." He suggested a strong one-on-one player capable of scoring goals would complete an attack already bolstered by Soulé, Dybala, Mora, and Pellegrini.

Radio Radio analysts have weighed in on Roma's transfer strategy and championship prospects ahead of the 2026–27 season. Marcacci stated that Roma lacks a player with Fofana's profile to suit Gasperini's system, though he acknowledged the club's desire to retain Manu Koné because finding a replacement now would be counterproductive. He added that Cacciamani and Udogie would be tactically valuable additions. Mattioli observed that while good players have arrived, Roma still needs something more, particularly in midfield. Padovan was more bullish, arguing that Roma should be judged over the medium to long term and that the team can compete for the title this season, potentially finishing second behind Inter or in third place. He noted that few other squads are heavily strengthened, making Inter the clear favourites. Orsi raised concerns about Roma's transfer activity, pointing out that the club has only bought without selling and warning that either evaluations have been miscalculated or financial penalties could follow. He stressed the importance of giving Gasperini a competitive squad, but cautioned that the market cannot be completed in three days.

Sebino Nela, who played for Roma between 1981 and 1992, has given his assessment of the club's prospects ahead of the new Serie A season. Speaking to Il Tempo, the former defender backed Roma to secure another Champions League place and expressed hope that the Scudetto could arrive in the season leading to the club's centenary. "Bisogna dare continuità conquistando un'altra partecipazione in Champions League. Scudetto? Spero di festeggiarlo quanto prima e sarebbe meraviglioso se accadesse nella stagione che porta al centenario," he said. Nela believes Roma still need reinforcements before the window closes. He identified an attacking winger and a wide midfielder as priorities, arguing that squad depth is essential across a long season with three competitions and five substitutes in use. On the existing squad, he praised Castro and Molina as "acquisti" (signings) and said Koulierakis requires time to adapt to Italian football. He suggested Rodrigo Mora could develop into a world-class talent under Gasperini but lacks the one-on-one ability and goal threat that would complete the attack aux côté Soulé, Dybala and Pellegrini. Nela flagged Koné and El Aynaoui as players with significant room for improvement based on their World Cup performances. Ahead of the opening fixture against Fiorentina, he suggested that while Paratici's summer recruitment has been substantial, Roma's individual quality could prove decisive in the season opener.

Roma's transfer activity is entering its most intense phase with 11 days remaining in the summer window. The club is prioritising the signing of a left-back and left winger, with the attacking department potentially reinforced only by a loan deal, possibly with a purchase option. The American ownership's strategy is taking shape through over €100 million invested to strengthen Gasperini's squad while lowering both wage bill and average age. The green line of investment—acquisitions targeting both immediate impact and long-term development—is evident across the squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini have agreed wage cuts on their renewals. Among the notable signings are two strikers and a Greek defender, contributing to an squad now containing 11 players under 25: Ziolkowski (21), Koulierakis (22), Ghilardi (23), Rensch (23), Pisilli (21), Koné and El Aynaoui (25), Mora and Vaz (19), Castro (21) and Soulé (22). These are players ready to perform now and into the future under a manager like Gasperini, who has consistently developed and promoted emerging talent. Potential arrivals of Fofana and Luis Henrique—or even just one of them—would further increase the number of young players in the squad. The possibility of selling academy product Ziolkowski and Matías Soulé remains under consideration as part of the squad restructuring.

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.

Stadio Olimpico will register its first sell-out of the season for Roma's Serie A opener against Fiorentina on Monday, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini working through final selection decisions ahead of the fixture. Paulo Dybala, who impressed in pre-season, will lead the attack alongside Matías Soulé, while Donyell Malen holds a slight advantage over another forward option, though rotation is possible given his current form. Mario Hermoso is favoured to partner Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka in defence, with Nahuel Molina operating on the flank. Wesley is being monitored for a minor ankle sprain; should he be unavailable, Devyne Rensch is ready, with Lulli available as cover. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are expected to anchor midfield, while Niccolò Pisilli, recently back from a muscular injury, is likely to start on the bench. Mora, who arrived at Ciampino yesterday, will meet Gasperini today but is unlikely to start. The Olimpico atmosphere is already building with 63,000 spectators expected, though the police authority has yet to rule on whether the away section can reopen following incidents in January.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

Roma has recalibrated its transfer approach for the closing days of the summer window, with sporting director Tony D'Amico temporarily halting negotiations for Lyon's Malick Fofana—valued at over €40 million—to focus on securing a left-winger to provide cover for Wesley. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the club have made Luis Henrique of Inter their primary objective, drawn to his versatility as both a midfield winger and attacking winger. Inter continue to demand €30 million for a permanent deal or a loan with an obligation to buy, whether conditional or not, as Roma seek a financially sustainable structure to complete the move in the final hours of the market. Roma's transfer strategy is constrained by UEFA's strict Financial Fair Play parameters, which the club must respect to avoid sanctions or restrictions on squad lists in European competition. A second attacking reinforcement—with Rafael Leão, Christopher Nkunku and Endrick also on the wish list—will only materialise if Roma secure a major sale worth at least €35 million. At present, no adequate offers have arrived for Matías Soulé or Manu Koné, limiting the club's ability to fund further signings.

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.

Emanuele Lulli, the 18-year-old right-back, delivered a positive display for Roma in their final pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Stadium yesterday, starting and playing 76 minutes. Gasperini has regularly deployed the class of 2007 prospect in recent weeks, with Lulli appearing in progressive minutes across warm-up fixtures: 18 minutes against Cardiff, 20 against Newport, 12 against Brighton, and the full 76-minute outing against Dortmund. The teenager, who turns 19 tomorrow, demonstrated both defensive cover and attacking thrust—precisely what Gasperini demands from his fullbacks. Roma's recruitment focus remains on the offensive flank, though director D'Amico continues work on the fullback contingent. With Tsimikas, Çelik and Angeliño departed, the squad has lacked reinforcement on the wings; only Wesley and Devyne Rensch remain from last season, with Molina arriving yesterday on his Roma debut. Lulli's composed display offers genuine hope of a permanent pathway into first-team contention under Gasperini. Lulli recorded three defensive contributions, two interceptions and three recoveries in addition to one clearance across his 76 minutes, also winning one ground duel and one aerial duel. He registered 88% pass accuracy in the opposition half (7/8) and 82% in his own half (9/11), with 2 of 3 long passes reaching their target. His ball-carrying statistics stand out: 54.9 metres gained (compared to 23.3 for Rensch), including 37.4 metres towards the opposition goal (21.3 for Rensch). Roma continue pressing on Udogie, while moves for Cacciamani and Luis Henrique face complications.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.

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.