Roma and Tottenham battle for Summerville as Spurs make first move

Evan N'Dicka and Wesley trained normally on 16 September, while Mario Hermoso undertook separate work due to a minor ankle injury but is expected to be available for Saturday's match against Inter. Davide Massa will referee the fixture, with assistants Meli and Berti, fourth official Maresca, VAR Mazzoleni and AVAR Di Paolo. Massa's record against Roma stands at 10 wins, 12 draws and 12 defeats in 34 matches, while Inter have won 23, drawn 5 and lost 5 of their 33 previous encounters with him. Donyell Malen's strong start to the season—six goals and one assist—has attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. Arsenal have made initial exploratory contact, but no official offers or negotiations with Roma exist. The club views Malen as central to Gasperini's project and has no intention of selling him in January. Malen is contracted until 2030 and Roma value him at approximately 60 million euros. Sabatini told Radio Radio Pomeriggio: "If I think back a year ago, it's the same situation: Inter won with a goal after 10 minutes. Roma play more football, not for the three points, but because they have the opportunity to land a blow on Inter that could hurt them. Knocking Inter out with three weeks of second thoughts would be an important result from a moral standpoint." Piero Torri on Radio Manà Manà Sport said: "For me a great team never adapts to opponents but always imposes its way of playing. Pisilli as a trequartista behind Dybala and Malen could be a move to try to surprise Inter, but in my opinion the team is used to playing in a certain manner. On the counter-attack Inter can really hurt you."

Donyell Malen has emerged as one of the standout performers in Roma's strong start to the 2026–27 season, scoring 6 goals and providing 1 assist in the club's opening matches under Gian Piero Gasperini. His form has reignited interest from Premier League clubs, a competition he knows from his previous spell with Aston Villa. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly tracking the Dutch forward, with Arsenal having initiated informal contact to gauge his situation, according to Ekrem Konur. However, no formal negotiations have been opened with Roma and no official offer has been tabled. Malen himself has not ruled out a potential return to England, though any move remains premature at this stage. Roma's position is resolute: the club will not part with Malen in January and has no intention of dismantling a squad built to compete across multiple fronts. The Giallorossi view the forward as central to Gasperini's technical project and have reportedly valued him at around 60 million euros. Roma secured Malen permanently from Aston Villa at the end of last season, and his contract with the club runs until 30 June 2030. The strength of Roma's position depends on the arrival of concrete offers and, crucially, Malen's own willingness to leave.

Marten De Roon's arrival at Roma in the final days of the summer transfer window had raised eyebrows among supporters, not least because of the departure of Neil El Aynaoui. The 35-year-old Dutch midfielder faced scepticism over his age and a history of social media provocations directed at Roma following clashes between his former club Atalanta and the Giallorossi. But in his early appearances, De Roon has already justified Gian Piero Gasperini's decision to reunite with him. Gasperini has deployed De Roon more frequently than any other player across his managerial career—361 appearances, compared to Toloi's 289—demonstrating the depth of their working relationship. De Roon left Atalanta after falling out of favour under Sarri, and Gasperini brought him to Roma on what amounted to a free transfer within 48 hours. His arrival initially unsettled Roma's fanbase due to past social media friction, but De Roon apologised immediately and made himself available. Though his competitive minutes remain limited—35 across Serie A and Champions League—his early impact has been positive, with Gasperini appearing to orchestrate play from the dugout with precision. De Roon brings valuable experience to a squad that is shorter than last season but higher in quality. After Paulo Dybala, he holds the second-most Champions League appearances in the group with 44, offering younger players like Niccolò Pisilli the chance to develop under an established presence. His integration has helped stabilise a Roma side operating with Gasperini's direct tactical methods.