Roma and Inter agree Luis Henrique deal; player decision awaited

Lionel Messi has included Porto talent Rodrigo Mora in his curated list of ten emerging talents, offering a significant endorsement as Roma prepare a move for the young player. The selection was announced in October 2025 as part of Messi's collaboration with Adidas, titled "Messi +10 - Season 2". The campaign featured the Argentine legend shuffling playing cards and laying them on a table, with narration explaining the selection process: "The perfect hand... everything begins with the deck. Nothing is left to chance. Every card is taken into account and a true master knows how to select them. A complete hand of aces, the perfect 10. This is how you choose the future of the game." Rodrigo Mora's card appeared among the ten selections. Mora could arrive at Roma in the coming days to join Gian Piero Gasperini's squad, though not all supporters have yet been convinced of his qualities. The "Messi +10" initiative celebrates a new generation of players who see the game differently, driven by the same creative spark that defined Messi's two-decade career at Barcelona. The list includes peers such as Nico Paz and Mika Godts—all sponsored by Adidas. Notably, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, also an Adidas athlete, was omitted, suggesting Messi views him as an established talent rather than an emerging prospect.

Rodrigo Mora's transfer is nearing completion, but head coach Gasperini has reiterated his need for reinforcements across the squad. In talks yesterday with sporting director Tony D'Amico, Gasperini stressed the requirement for two attackers and a left winger to complete the team. Mora, the 19-year-old Portuguese forward represented by Jorge Mendes, fits the profile Gasperini requested—an attacker with similar characteristics to Paulo Dybala, to be deployed on the left. Roma will pay Porto €25 million, with the Portuguese club retaining 50% of any future sale, a clause that can be cancelled by paying an additional €25 million by 2027. With Mora progressing, Roma's focus shifts to securing a left winger. Tottenham's Udogie remains the strongest candidate, though negotiations centre on the structure of the deal and the potential departure of Spence to Inter. Luis Henrique of Inter has recently emerged as an alternative; Inter values him at €30 million and Roma is studying a loan deal with a right of purchase. Cacciamani of Torino also remains a target, with Torino willing to lower their asking price to €15 million.

Roma is closing in on signing Rodrigo Mora from Porto in what would be the club's fourth summer acquisition. Head coach Gasperini has long sought a player to fill the wide role, and the club is confident Mora, a 2007-born talent naturally a number 10, can be repositioned on the flank. Sporting director D'Amico has tabled €45 million, structured in a creative format designed to limit the immediate financial impact on the club's balance sheet. In-principle agreement has been reached and Jorge Mendes is overseeing the fine details. Mora will sign a five-year contract with an escalating wage structure, earning approximately €2 million net per season on average. The move comes as Gasperini continues to reshape his squad following his appointment last season. Roma remains active in the market, pursuing Cacciamani from Torino as a secondary winger option; the young fullback has experience as a wing-back from his youth career. Luis Henrique, surplus to requirements at Inter, has been offered but has not yet attracted serious interest. Tottenham has declined a loan-with-purchase-option arrangement for Udogie. If Soulé departs, Roma will reportedly attempt to sign Endrick, though Real Madrid is said to be determined to keep the Brazilian.

Roma are close to securing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born winger who stands under 1.70m tall and favours dribbling over physical play, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shapes a younger, lighter and more attacking squad than last season. Mora will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for the number 10 role. The club are still hunting one or two additional wingers or attacking midfielders and one or two fullbacks to complete the XI. Gasperini's vision prioritises technical ability over physical presence, targeting players built for a high-octane attacking system. Mora's profile — incisive on the ball but less accustomed to the physical demands of Italian football and prone to struggle when forced to chase opponents — fits the template. Donyell Malen is expected to carry the goal-scoring load among the wider players initially, with alternatives in Castro and Robinio Vaz, who offers greater physical stature. Matías Soulé, should he remain, offers a middle ground. Fullbacks too are selected for their attacking prowess: Wesley on one flank, with options including Molina, Cacciamani, Luis Henrique or Udogie on the other. Manu Koné emerges as the vital equilibrium force in midfield, tasked with providing defensive cover and structure to an otherwise offence-heavy setup. However, he remains a persistent departure risk, a potential weakness in an otherwise cohesive recruitment strategy.

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.

Roma are pressing to close a deal for Alessio Cacciamani, the 2007-born Torino left-back who impressed in Serie B last season. The club has tabled an offer of around €12 million, cutting the gap with Torino's asking price to just €2 million. Cacciamani would provide depth on the left flank behind Wesley as Roma prepare for the new season under Gasperini. To generate funds and offset spending, Roma are simultaneously working on player sales. Jan Ziolkowski is expected to receive an official offer from Saudi Arabia worth approximately €20 million—a substantial profit on his €6 million summer purchase. That deal could unlock further investment in the squad. Matías Soulé remains a possible departure to finance additional signings, though no official offers have been received so far; Milan had shown some interest in recent days but nothing concrete has materialised. Tony D'Amico continues to manage multiple fronts across the transfer market, with the aim of delivering Gasperini a complete and competitive squad ahead of the season's start.