Robinio Vaz aims to win over Gasperini at Roma

Rodrigo Mora has completed his move to Roma, becoming the club's fourth signing of the summer. Contracts were signed after midnight, with Mora due in the capital today for medical examinations and formalities. Director Tony D'Amico will immediately turn attention to Lyon's Malick Fofana, one of Europe's most promising young talents alongside Mora. Roma have reached an agreement with Fofana and his representatives over wages; Lyon, however, prefer to wait until the Champions League preliminary rounds are complete before selling. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has approved both targets. Simultaneously, Roma are hunting a further wide midfielder, with Luis Henrique and Udogie under consideration. The priority after Fofana's arrival will be securing additional flanking reinforcements, contingent on deal structure and availability. In a separate development, Fiorentina have enquired about Matías Soulé; Roma are seeking €40 million for the winger.

Radio commentators Stefano Carina and Roberto Pruzzo have offered their views on Roma's transfer activity and squad composition ahead of the new season. Carina said on Radio Radio: "We hope Mora arrives today, so this telenovela ends. We'll see if the future resale will be 40% or 50%, maybe Roma can extract a lower figure. Mora has value; our doubts are only about his tactical use. Porto wanted to sell the player, beyond the technical judgment. But Roma should have dictated the rules, and it didn't. Fofana for me is the player Gasp asked for, but we need players who score goals. If the left winger arrives, Roma has completed itself, and well." Mora's arrival remains a focal point of discussion as Roma continues its summer business. Carina's reference to resale percentages suggests negotiation over sell-on clauses in any deal, while his assessment centres on whether head coach Gasperini's tactical system will unlock the newcomer's potential. Pruzzo, also on Radio Radio, posed a broader question about integration: "Where will Mora and Castro be used, because Roma has spent the money but will they be useful for Gasperini's game? Roma right now plays for the Champions League." Both analysts emphasise the link between recruitment and tactical implementation—that spending alone is insufficient without clear roles in Gasperini's system.

Roma are closing in on Rodrigo Mora from Porto while simultaneously pursuing Malick Fofana from Lyon, signalling an aggressive push to strengthen Gasperini's attack. The Mora transfer is in its final stages, but the club's real ambition lies in landing the Belgian winger Fofana, with whom Roma have already secured player-side agreement. However, Lyon are reluctant to sell before their Champions League playoff against Fenerbahce, with the first leg taking place this evening and the return fixture next Wednesday. Fofana remains a complex target. After an initial attempt to sign him on loan with a conditional obligation to buy, Roma are now prepared to purchase the attacking winger outright for a fee close to €40 million including bonuses. The financial gap between Roma and Lyon must still be bridged. Beyond these two arrivals, Roma continue to seek a left-sided midfielder to provide depth behind Wesley. Discussions with Torino over Cacciamani have stalled, though Tottenham are beginning to consider a loan-with-option move for Udogie. Luis Henrique remains a background option as Gasperini's search for attacking reinforcement extends across multiple targets.

Roma's summer transfer work is far from over, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini signalling his appetite for further additions beyond the arrivals of Castro, Koulierakis and Molina. While the Mora move may defer heavier spending to next summer, the club retains capacity to pursue further signings aligned with Gasperini's tactical requirements, notably Malick Fofana of Olympique Lyonnais. The 21-year-old Belgian attacker remains an active target, with Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca having cleared his departure and the club engaged in talks with Roma. Fofana is valued at 35–40 million euros overall, with his existing salary of approximately 2 million euros fitting Roma's parameters. Gasperini currently has two—and occasionally three—options for most positions, but a significant shortage exists at left-back, where Wesley stands alone. Though Devyne Rensch could theoretically deputise, that scenario is presently ruled out, prompting continued pursuit of alternatives from Tottenham (Udogie), Inter (Luis Henrique) and Torino (Cacciamani). The squad's forward depth across Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, combined with Donyell Malen and Robinio Vaz—currently viewed as a late-game option pending development—means the Mora signing does not close the conversation on attacking reinforcements.

Roma have completed the signing of 17-year-old Portuguese winger Rodrigo Mora from Porto on a permanent deal worth €25 million upfront, with Porto retaining a 50% stake in any future sale. Roma have secured a buyback option to repurchase that 50% share within two years for a further €25 million. Mora is expected to arrive in the capital today for medical examinations, ending a protracted negotiation. The club are also moving quickly on Belgian winger Malick Fofana from Olympique Lyonnais, with an overall package worth approximately €25 million agreed in principle. The deal is structured as a loan with a €5 million fee, followed by an obligation to buy at around €30 million plus bonuses, though completion is conditional on Lyon's Champions League preliminary round tie against Fenerbahçe on 26 August. Both signings are expected to clear the way for departures: Robinio Vaz and Matías Soulé are among those attracting interest elsewhere. Director of sport D'Amico will then focus on landing a left-back to strengthen the left flank and provide competition for Wesley. Tottenham's Udogie, the former Udinese defender, heads Roma's wish-list. The player has already signalled his willingness to join Roma and negotiations with his representatives are well advanced, pending formal clearance between the clubs.

AS Roma are on the verge of securing two attacking signings to reinforce head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's preferred style of play. Rodrigo Mora from Porto and Belgian winger Malick Fofana from Olympique Lyonnais represent the dual quality Roma have pursued in recent days. Mora will arrive on a permanent deal for €25 million upfront, plus 50 per cent of future resale fees owed to Porto—a clause Roma can cancel by paying a further €25 million. Fofana's move is being negotiated at a total package of €35 million, with personal terms agreed between the player and Roma's hierarchy. Director of sport Tony D'Amico has secured agreement in principle with Lyonnais as well. Both signings embody the attacking talent and explosive pace Gasperini wants to instil in his squad. The dual arrivals are expected to trigger the departures of Robinio Vaz and Matías Soulé from the Roma roster. Once Mora's transfer is finalised, D'Amico will move swiftly to complete the Fofana deal. After both reinforcements join the club, Roma's next priority will be to recruit a full-back or central midfielder to further strengthen the squad's depth.

AS Roma close their pre-season programme against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini using the fixture as a final dress rehearsal before the league campaign begins. The international-standard test comes just days before Roma's competitive debut and offers Gasperini a last chance to assess squad fitness, run through tactical ideas, and resolve outstanding questions ahead of the official start. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante, Devyne Rensch, and Matías Soulé across midfield and wing positions. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen support Artem Dovbyk in attack. After weeks of preparation at Trigoria and at the summer training base, the clash against the Germans represents a significant opportunity to measure the team's progress and condition. Borussia Dortmund start in a 3-4-1-2 shape under manager Niko Kovac. Following this encounter, Roma's focus shifts entirely to the start of Serie A.

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.

Artem Dovbyk has explained his difficult final season at Roma after joining Bologna on loan with a right of purchase, in a swap deal that saw Santiago Castro move in the opposite direction. The Ukrainian striker told Il Messaggero that he lost confidence under the pressure at the Stadio Olimpico. "Last season was difficult, with injury, but that came later," Dovbyk said. "After pre-season Roma told me to look for minutes elsewhere, but there wasn't time. I was very close to Milan, but there were three days left in the transfer window and it didn't happen. I stayed and tried to convince the manager I deserved more space, but I started the season playing little and they made clear I would be the backup striker. I was preparing for a long season as the main man, and it was hard to accept that wouldn't happen. I played less and less and wasn't enjoying it anymore. Then I got injured." Dovbyk reflected on the unique pressures of playing for Roma compared to his previous spell in Spain. "There are fantastic players there in my position, like Dybala, Soulé, El Shaarawy," he explained. "But playing there is different—there's so much pressure, mistakes aren't an option. Sometimes I'd get just one chance in a match, and if I didn't score it was over. Many managers came and went, and the club changed a lot too, and from the pitch it was hard to understand all that. Several of us couldn't give our best. Even someone like Dybala struggled." At Bologna, Dovbyk feels valued again: "I'm physically fine now and starting a new challenge. At Bologna I felt welcomed by a strong group, a family. I hope soon I'll show my best version here—now I feel I can enjoy football again."

Roma's summer transfer work is far from over, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini signalling his appetite for further additions beyond the arrivals of Castro, Koulierakis and Molina. While the Mora move may defer heavier spending to next summer, the club retains capacity to pursue further signings aligned with Gasperini's tactical requirements, notably Malick Fofana of Olympique Lyonnais. The 21-year-old Belgian attacker remains an active target, with Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca having cleared his departure and the club engaged in talks with Roma. Fofana is valued at 35–40 million euros overall, with his existing salary of approximately 2 million euros fitting Roma's parameters. Gasperini currently has two—and occasionally three—options for most positions, but a significant shortage exists at left-back, where Wesley stands alone. Though Devyne Rensch could theoretically deputise, that scenario is presently ruled out, prompting continued pursuit of alternatives from Tottenham (Udogie), Inter (Luis Henrique) and Torino (Cacciamani). The squad's forward depth across Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé, combined with Donyell Malen and Robinio Vaz—currently viewed as a late-game option pending development—means the Mora signing does not close the conversation on attacking reinforcements.

Gian Piero Gasperini plans to field two South American wingers of international standard against Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday evening. Argentinian right-back Nahuel Molina, who arrived in the capital eight days ago following his World Cup involvement, is set to return to Serie A action after impressing in a pre-season test against Borussia Dortmund. Brazilian winger Wesley will also feature, though he has spent recent days managing a minor ankle sprain and remains a precaution away from full availability; Devyne Rensch stands ready as cover if needed. The match offers Gasperini an early opportunity to showcase Roma's attacking threat with pace and rhythm from both flanks. Molina's introduction and Wesley's return to full training form part of the squad's preparations for the new campaign, with both players carrying significant pedigree from their national teams. In attack, a selection battle continues between Castro and Donyell Malen for a starting berth, while midfielder Niccolò Pisilli remains uncertain for the fixture.

Roma will host Fiorentina at the Olimpico on Monday 24 August in their Serie A campaign opener, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini preparing a 3-4-1-2 formation centred around Matías Soulé in the attacking midfield role. Malen holds the edge over Castro in contention for a forward berth alongside Paulo Dybala, with Rodrigo Mora arriving but unlikely to start. Soulé, who spent the previous summer with his future uncertain, will make his first competitive start for the club against the Viola, who had previously pursued him before turning their attention to Mastantuono. Manu Koné returns to midfield alongside Bryan Cristante, with Wesley stationed on the left flank and Molina on the right. The backline consists of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso in front of Mile Svilar. Gasperini's setup represents largely familiar territory for Roma, with only one fresh face compared to last season's squad, though further market activity is anticipated in the coming weeks.