Roma accelerate in pursuit of Rodrigo Mora as Endrick deal stalls

Roma have identified Frosinone midfielder Giorgi Kvernadze as a target to strengthen Gasperini's attack, according to reports. The Georgian midfielder appeals to the Roma coach, but Frosinone—managed by Alvini—are holding firm in their valuation, demanding at least €25 million. The pursuit of other attacking options remains active: Endrick, the Brazilian currently out of favour at Real Madrid under Mourinho, continues to be monitored by Roma's sporting director D'Amico, with a potential approach planned for January. Roma's summer transfer window saw other targets slip away. Leweling, pursued by Roma until late in the window, was also on the radar of Inter under Chivu, though Stuttgart resisted both clubs' advances. The window's conclusion left gaps that Gasperini is now tasked with addressing through future recruitment cycles.

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Roma's commercial partners at Relais Appia Antica, speaking about the club's demanding nature and the squad's recent performance. He said: "I knew that Roma footballically is very demanding and difficult. But beyond results it matters to show you are working seriously, and that is always appreciated." Gasperini called the recent match against Inter "a spectacle" and thanked the business leaders for their confidence in the club. He also unveiled a personal project: a new wine from his vineyard called "Freisa 3-4-3", releasing on 5 October. "The 3-4-3 has been my fortune and I hope it is a good omen: with that system I built almost all my successes," he said. Roma have begun planning for the January transfer window to expand Gasperini's squad options. Among the profiles being monitored is Giorgi Kvernadze, a Georgian winger from Frosinone born in 2003, who has made a strong start to the season. Roma's scouts have closely followed the player, who has recorded 5 goals and 2 assists in Serie A and Coppa Italia. Frosinone appear reluctant to sell easily and have reportedly set the price at around €25 million. Napoli have also shown interest in Kvernadze. In his book "Oltre", Francesco Totti revealed a backstory from Paulo Dybala's arrival at Roma. The club had considered giving Dybala the number 10 shirt and wanted Totti himself to present it during the unveiling. Totti refused bluntly: "The answer was sharp: 'Are you all mad?' If you have the courage, give it to him yourselves. Nothing against the player—I like him very much as a person too." Dybala ultimately chose number 21, avoiding a direct comparison with Totti's legacy. Totti explained he would not oppose seeing the number 10 worn again, but with one condition: "Every day I hope another Totti manifests himself. One born in Rome, grown up in Rome, who chooses Roma for life. That shirt should go to someone who can build a long and deep bond with the club."

Jamie Leweling was tracked by Roma in the final stages of the summer transfer window, but the Giallorossi were not alone in their interest. Inter also made a concrete approach for the Stuttgart winger, according to Tuttomercatoweb. The Nerazzurri explored the scope for a possible deal with Stuttgart and assessed Leweling's position, though the interest never developed into a formal negotiation. Leweling remained in the Bundesliga as the window closed. Stuttgart's valuation proved a significant obstacle. The club had no intention of parting easily with the winger and set the same asking price for all interested parties: a minimum of €40 million. Roma attempted to bring Leweling to Rome in the final hours of the summer transfer window before the move collapsed entirely. The German's versatility made him a particularly attractive prospect, as he could operate in several attacking positions. The revelation adds Inter to the list of Italian clubs who pursued the player. The Nerazzurri evaluated Leweling both for the right flank and to add different qualities to their attack. Ultimately, neither Roma nor Inter succeeded in securing him. Stuttgart maintained a rigid stance on their valuation and Leweling stayed in Germany, deferring any possible move to Serie A for the time being.

Roma are monitoring Giorgi Kvernadze, Frosinone's Georgian winger, as a potential solution to their search for a left-sided attacker with a right foot. The 2003-born winger has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists across Serie A and the Coppa Italia in recent matches observed by Roma scouts. Frosinone have valued Kvernadze at around €25 million and are unwilling to allow him to leave without a substantial offer. Napoli are also tracking his situation. Roma have made an excellent start to the season with 13 points from 15 available, level on points with Inter and Lazio at the top of the table. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has successfully integrated the summer additions — Balerdi, Molina, Mora, Koulierakis and De Roon — into his system. However, the club recognises that further reinforcements are needed, particularly in the wide attacking position, and has begun preparations for the January transfer window. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and confirmed by Il Tempo and Nicolò Schira, Kvernadze has caught the attention of Roma's recruitment staff. The club will face competition from Napoli as they pursue the Frosinone winger ahead of the winter market.

Rome's radio stations have weighed in on three key issues facing Roma as the season progresses: the speculation around midfielder Kvernadze, the development of Rodrigo Mora, and the decision to sell Niccolo Romano to Cagliari. Alessio Nardo criticised the timing of any potential move for Kvernadze. "If you were smart, you would have gone to get him in July or mid-August," Nardo said. "Now he's had an extraordinary start to the season, and after three weeks Frosinone will make you pay triple. Now it's foolish to go and get Kvernadze." Piero Torri added context: Frosinone are likely to demand €20–25 million for the player, but the price could rise further if Roma move slowly. Torri also flagged that Roma's position in the league table in December, and UEFA's verdict on the club's situation by mid-November, will determine whether the ownership feels obliged to invest in January. On Mora, Daniele Lo Monaco offered a technical assessment tempered by concerns about readiness. "From a technical standpoint I think Rodrigo Mora is superior to Matías Soulé," Lo Monaco said. "For me, Mora has only Dybala above him, because he does extraordinary things that others can only imagine. But from a physical point of view you have some doubts, because when he goes into a challenge, opponents push him around. And every so often during the match he loses focus, and with Gasperini you cannot afford that. Today he is not quite ready to play with Gasperini, but he will become ready soon, especially if he does not have the pressure on him of having to prove he is worth €50 million, because otherwise it becomes a problem." Fabio Petruzzi framed the Romano sale as a difficult but necessary choice. "Romano is a good player, I do not say otherwise, but I would be cautious," Petruzzi said. "He would not have played at Roma. Roma had to make a choice: either Pisilli or Romano." Stefano Carina highlighted the oddity of Romano's sale: the initial asking price was €9 million, but the player departed for €5 million. "If you were asking nine million then perhaps this lad is worth something," Carina noted. "Cagliari saw further ahead, and now it seems like a big regret."

Radio pundits have dissected Roma's performance in Saturday's match against Inter, with debate centring on the club's attacking midfield options and whether the squad can sustain momentum in the coming weeks. Several commentators highlighted Roma's improvement compared to last season, though assessments of the Inter encounter differed. Vocalelli argued that Inter's squad remains stronger in prospect despite Roma fielding a full side, noting that Inter still need to integrate three summer signings. Pugliese suggested Roma has narrowed the gap from last season but remains below Inter's overall organisation, adding that fixtures against Napoli, Como and Madrid will reveal the squad's true level and how new arrivals suit Gasperini's system. Ferrajolo called the performance a sign of maturity, stating Roma has historically struggled against the top sides: "Nella partita di sabato le due squadre sono apparse alla pari, e devo dire che il risultato è lusinghiero per la Roma, perché ha giocato una partita alla pari con l'Inter." Camelio expressed concern about Roma's left flank depth but backed the defensive strength, adding that a January signing could push Roma's title challenge. Mora emerged as a focal point of debate. Chiara Ciotti noted that Soulé is preferred because of his understanding with Dybala and Malen. Impallomeni said: "Mora ha dei mezzi importanti, ma bisogna avere pazienza. Mi auguro che possa farci vedere cosa sa fare." Davide Fidanza observed: "Mora vive d'istinto, ha giocate importanti, ma estemporanee," contrasting him with Soulé, who he described as "tatticamente più completo" and more effective in team play. Fidanza drew a parallel to Pisilli's development, suggesting Mora requires time to mature and adapt his game.

Roma have made an emphatic start to the 2026-27 season, claiming four wins and two draws across their opening six matches without defeat, and their attacking shape under Gian Piero Gasperini is becoming increasingly defined. The side have generated one of Serie A's strongest offensive phases, producing 111 total shots over six matches—an average of 20.6 per game—with 68% coming from the central area, 18% from the left and 15% from the right. Gasperini's system combines aggressive pressing, high tempo and collective play with relentless shot creation, generating 14 goals so far: 12 from open play, one from a set piece and one on the counter. Donyell Malen has emerged as the attacking focal point, already on six goals with 20 shots (10 on target) as Roma's primary reference point in the box. However, the creative engine runs through Paulo Dybala on the right flank. The Argentine leads Serie A for chances created (22) and assists (4), and has completed 201 successful passes, underscoring his centrality to Roma's build-up play. Gasperini's tactical identity also involves using inverted wingers—Wesley, for instance, frequently plays on the left to cut inside onto his right foot, a pattern that generated his goal against Juventus last season in a 3-3 draw at the Olimpico. In the match against Inter, Nahuel Molina, deployed on the left, finished with three shots. While Roma shoot most from the centre, the right flank proves most productive in creating opportunities, generating 39% of offensive chances. The combination of Dybala's creativity and the movement patterns Gasperini has installed suggest Roma's attacking threat remains multifaceted and difficult to defend, grounded in the manager's clear strategic blueprint of aggressive, high-tempo football that prioritises collective movement and continuous offensive production.

Roma's attacking threat from full-back positions has transformed under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, with the discoveries of Emanuele Lulli and the arrival of Nahuel Molina — described as a clear upgrade on Zeki Çelik — providing multiple offensive weapons beyond Wesley alone. Last season the giallorossi often struggled on the wings, but now rank among Serie A's most dangerous teams in wide areas. Lulli has created 4 chances, Molina 7 and Wesley 13 from their full-back positions, totalling 24 opportunities for Gasperini's side. This figure is surpassed in Italy only by Inter, whose wing-backs Dimarco and Diouf have combined for 26.

Francesco Repice, a Rai Radio commentator, offered a positive assessment of Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini, saying the club has gained fresh credibility after their match against Inter. Repice believes Roma have the talent to challenge for the scudetto if they sustain their intensity for longer stretches of play. "If Roma raises the intensity from 40–55 minutes to 75–80 minutes, it becomes very interesting for what we all know," he said, referring to the title race. Repice praised several squad members individually. He described goalkeeper Mile Svilar as "an absolute certainty" and highlighted Molina as a world champion with Atlético Madrid whose emotional intensity is no flaw. On Manu Koné, he remarked that "the 40 million euro we were talking about for Koné was a joke. If he starts scoring too, then we'll make comparisons with Rice and talk about those figures." He also complimented the growth of the squad under Gasperini's management, suggesting it justifies financial valuations. Repice defended the tactical omissions of some players, explaining that Gasperini's substitutions in other areas of the pitch prevented earlier changes in attack as usual. On midfielder Marten de Roon, he offered only certainty: "I know he can provide continuity of performance." Of Santiago Castro, Repice said: "When he comes in, he gives what I expected." He concluded: "Roma this year is a strong team," while noting that further developments will emerge in January.