Roma announce departure of sporting director Frederic Massara after less than a year

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini belongs to a particular category of figures in Roma's history: outsiders who have left a profound mark on the club not by assimilating into its culture, but by demanding that the environment adapt to them instead. Gasperini arrived at Roma not to win immediate popularity or become part of the vast web of relationships that surrounds Trigoria, but with a method, a work ethic, and the conviction that the pitch alone should determine hierarchies. Roma has long struggled with a paradox: creating comfort that can become dangerous for professionals. Trigoria has historically been a place where talent can flourish—few cities offer comparable football emotion—yet where it is equally easy to settle into comfortable patterns of relationships, habits, friendships and informal power centres. A coach from outside who arrives and breaks that dynamic inevitably becomes uncomfortable because he either ignores the unwritten rules or consciously chooses to disregard them. He cares only about the pitch, measures work output, and demands answers. This inevitably shatters existing equilibriums. Roma's history is full of figures who arrived in the capital without initially possessing its codes but became integral to its identity: Liedholm and Falcao came from worlds far removed from Rome; Sebino Nela and Roberto Pruzzo were outsiders who, over time, became more Roman than many Romans; Ottavio Bianchi was divisive precisely because he was impervious to many environmental dynamics; Fabio Capello imposed discipline and demands as instruments of governance; Gabriel Batistuta brought an almost obsessive hunger to win immediately; Luciano Spalletti introduced new ideas and a different conception of football; and José Mourinho, with completely different characteristics, built a fierce mentality around competition. The great local talents—Di Bartolomei, Bruno Conti, Giannini, Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi—gave their best when working alongside someone strong enough not to indulge them. Gasperini is probably one of the least "Roman" coaches Roma could have chosen, and that is precisely why he may be the right one. He does not seek constant compromise or seem interested in building an accommodating persona. He demands intensity, physical availability, tactical application, willingness to accept competition and flexible hierarchies. A truly meritocratic culture inevitably generates more resistance than is commonly acknowledged, because almost everyone favours meritocracy until it questions their own position. Gasperini must remain Gasperini—maintaining the distance that allows him to observe Trigoria without being completely seduced by it, insisting that work comes before relationships, performance before reputation, and collective objective before individual need to feel important.

Marten de Roon has completed his transfer to AS Roma from Atalanta and was expected to arrive at Fiumicino airport on 30 August. The Dutch midfielder spoke to Rai Sport after departing Bergamo, describing an emotionally complex move despite the appeal of joining the Giallorossi. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini played a decisive role in securing the player, with de Roon confirming that Gasperini "wanted me strongly at Roma" and that the move came about suddenly. De Roon's departure from Atalanta comes after a long association with the club, and the transfer represents another piece of Gasperini's squad-building at Roma following his appointment in 2025. The coach actively pushed for the midfielder, who was one of his most trusted lieutenants at Bergamo. The move offered de Roon a chance to begin a new chapter in his career, though the decision to leave was not made lightly. Speaking about his feelings on the day, de Roon said: "Sad day. It wasn't easy for how things went. This month was difficult after returning from the World Cup. I spoke to Gasperini: it was all a bit of a lightning move, he wanted me strongly at Roma. Given how the situation was here, it was the right solution. A difficult situation because discussing this with my family, the club, thinking also of the bond with the fans and the city. I should be happy, but it's a difficult day." De Roon was awaiting clearance procedures to become officially a Roma player.

Roma have made a first proposal for Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling, 25, but the German club rejected the offer. The package exceeded €40 million, comprising approximately €5 million for a loan with a subsequent obligation to buy, but Stuttgart prioritises immediate revenue and objects to the structure. Roma remain in contention and are proposing a five-year contract to the player. Matías Soulé's future has come sharply into question in the final days of the window. Fulham and Sunderland are interested in a paid loan with a conditional obligation to buy for a combined valuation around €35 million, though other reports suggest no concrete offer has yet landed on Roma's desk. Should Soulé depart, Roma intend to pursue a second attacking winger. Roma are simultaneously accelerating their pursuit of Zenit winger Luiz Henrique, 25, with negotiations now active. Reports differ on the structure: a permanent deal at €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses, a paid loan worth €3–4 million with a subsequent €22–25 million buyout, or the Russians' apparent demand of €35 million plus a resale percentage, with salary discussions also stalled. Roma continue to monitor Stuttgart's Leweling, who can operate as an advanced winger or across the full width, keeping that avenue open alongside primary targets. Malick Fofana, 21, of Lyon remains under consideration but has stalled; Lyon previously accepted Roma's €35 million offer and agreed terms with the player but now demand an outright sale rather than loan-based structures. Robinio Vaz, 19, remains in the exit queue bound for Hull City on loan, but the move has slowed. Gasperini will not release the French forward until Roma complete their attacking reinforcement; once a new winger arrives, Vaz is to be freed on a paid loan with a right of purchase. Keny Arroyo, 20, an attacking prospect from Cruzeiro, remains on Roma's radar as a secondary option. Jan Ziółkowski, 21, is set to leave on loan to Monza with a right of purchase after the arrival of centre-back Balerdi. Roma have also invested in youth, signing Montenegro midfielder Andrija Vukoje, 18, from Inter's academy for approximately €1.5 million plus bonuses and a future resale percentage retained by Inter; Vukoje will initially join Roma's Primavera squad.