Roma advance on Fofana and Mora as transfer activity intensifies

Rafael Leao has been offered to Roma and the Friedkin Group once again by agent Jorge Mendes on behalf of AC Milan. The Portuguese winger does not feature in Ruben Amorim's plans at Milan and remains in search of a new club. Roma have tracked Leao for several weeks but have chosen not to make a move, partly because his salary is considered too high. Roma are currently focused on other targets to strengthen their squad under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The club's director of sport D'Amico is prioritising younger profiles in Rodrigo Mora and Malick Fofana, viewed as additions that will help Roma return to Champions League football.

Roma continue work to complete the arrival of Rodrigo Mora as soon as possible, with negotiations advancing significantly. The club's players are resting ahead of their return to Trigoria for pre-season training. Goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini awaits developments in what supporters are describing as a period of anticipation for the club. Vincent Candela, speaking on Radio Romanista, reflected on his relationship with Franco Sensi and discussed the squad available to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as Roma prepare for the new season.

Roma have reached preliminary agreement on a contract with Lyon winger Malick Fofana after days of negotiations, according to Fabrizio Romano. Director D'Amico is pursuing the deal, which Roma know will require approximately €30 million plus bonuses from Lyon. However, Roma will not complete the Fofana transfer until they have secured Porto's agreement on Rodrigo Mora, meaning both signings are now linked as a package. D'Amico is actively working on both fronts with the aim of delivering both attackers to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini as soon as possible. The club's Serie A campaign begins against Fiorentina in exactly one week, placing time pressure on the director to finalize these moves before the opening fixture.

Roma are intensifying their hunt for a left-sided midfielder over the next two weeks as the club pursues multiple targets across the pitch. Mora's arrival is imminent and Fofana remains a focus, but Roma are not stopping there. The priority search for a left-flank player has seen Cacciamani's stock fall following Torino's refusal to lower their demands, while negotiations over Inter's Luis Henrique have stalled. Roma and Inter have found no total agreement, and the approximately thirty million euros under discussion could be redirected towards Lyon's Fofana. Udogie leads Roma's wish list and could arrive on loan with a conditional obligation to buy, with talks continuing with Tottenham. The Italian player has already agreed to join Roma. Director D'Amico is searching for a deputy to Wesley to complete the wider midfield options for head coach Gasperini.

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.

Roma are pushing forward with the signing of Rodrigo Mora, an attacking left-back on his right foot whom head coach Gasperini has pursued for over a year. With the winger deal in its final stages, director of sport D'Amico has turned attention to filling another gap in the squad: a deputy full-back to rotate with Wesley, the Brazilian number 43. Molina arrived days ago, but another option remains essential. Three profiles are under close scrutiny: Luis Henrique of Inter, Cacciamani of Torino, and Udogie of Tottenham. Each presents distinct obstacles and attributes suited to Gasperini's system, in which full-backs must defend and cover the flanks while supporting the build-up and providing offensive thrust. The 19-year-old Lulli showed promise against Borussia Dortmund, but Gasperini expects more from his defenders on the wing. Among the trio, Udogie stands out as the most polished and dangerous prospect. The former Udinese player combines physical presence with ball-carrying ability to break down opposition defences. His Premier League experience, hindered by muscle injuries to the thigh and knee, has allowed him to develop as an additional midfielder. At 23, the academy product from Hellas Verona recorded 28 appearances for Tottenham last season. However, following Spence's departure to Inter, Tottenham are open only to a loan with an obligation to buy, whereas Roma are seeking an option to purchase.

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela has paid tribute to late president Franco Sensi, recalling their strong relationship during his time at the club. Speaking on Radio Romanista, Candela expressed gratitude to Sensi for bringing him to Rome and helping him grow as a man and father. He described Sensi as deeply passionate about Roma, noting his ambitious signings such as Gabriel Batistuta and saying: "The time passes quickly, but what he did for Roma is enormous. He bought Batistuta, he spent a lot of money…! Roma was his passion." Candela also reflected on Roma's current campaign under Gasperini following their return to the Champions League after seven years. He backed the club to strengthen further before the transfer window closes on 31 August, saying: "The squad was already strong and that is important; if two more elements arrive it is perfect. We need to be more competitive." Candela highlighted the importance of the upcoming season, particularly given Roma's centenary anniversary, and stressed that the squad is compact and unified heading into what he believes will be a significant year. On midfielder Manu Koné, Candela noted that while he was already strong when he arrived, Gasperini has improved him. He suggested Koné can develop further in his final pass and shooting, though he acknowledged the midfielder's defensive strengths, saying he "recovers the ball well" and "is secure with Pisilli and Cristante." Candela added that Roma has multiple attacking options available and that Gasperini's tactical approach may differ from that used at international level.

Pierluigi Gollini has announced he is expecting a son. The Roma goalkeeper shared the news on social media, writing: "Life, at times, gives you what you've always dreamed of; we were very fortunate." He and his partner Ariel Serra, whom he married in May 2025, posted photos of Nike baby shoes they had already purchased for their child. The couple were expecting a boy. Gollini's teammates responded warmly to the announcement on social media, including messages from Niccolò Pisilli and Jan Ziółkowski. Former Roma player Kostas Tsimikas also commented, as did Chiara Nasti, wife of Mattia Zaccagni and formerly Gollini's sister-in-law.

Roma will open their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina in exactly one week's time, but face an injury concern over two key players. Wesley and Pisilli were both absent from a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, and their availability for the first league match remains uncertain. Wesley has an ongoing ankle problem that will be reassessed when training resumes at Trigoria in two days' time; Pisilli will undergo a similar evaluation on the same day. There is optimism both players will be fit for the clash with Fiorentina. Molina is expected to be the only recent recruit to start from the beginning against the Viola. Manu Koné requires further assessment before selection. Matías Soulé will operate on the left wing, with Paulo Dybala positioned on the right. Lorenzo Pellegrini, meanwhile, needs more time to recover from injury and will not be included in the squad for the match.