Roma awaits Atalanta's approval to confirm D'Amico as sporting director

Malick Fofana is a 21-year-old Belgian winger being tracked by Roma whose career trajectory has been interrupted by serious injury but who possesses the technical and physical attributes to become one of Europe's elite talents. Born in Aalst on 31 March 2005 to a Guinean father and Filipino mother, Fofana moved to Olympique Lyon in January 2024 for €17 million plus €5 million in bonuses. In his first six months at the French club he made 21 appearances and scored 4 goals, contributing to Lyon's dramatic survival. The 2024–25 season marked his breakthrough: 41 appearances yielding 11 goals and 6 assists, which attracted attention from Chelsea and Liverpool, with his valuation reported at €60 million. However, a severe ankle sprain with accompanying lesions requiring surgery in October 2025 sidelined him for approximately five months and severely disrupted his campaign. He returned to action yesterday, playing 20 minutes in Lyon's 2–1 Champions League preliminary loss to Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic. Fofana's profile combines technical excellence with exceptional athleticism. He is naturally right-footed but has frequently operated as a left-sided winger for Belgium, capable of beating defenders, providing precise assists, and running the channels with the stamina more typical of a midfield player than a conventional full-back. Before joining Lyon, he developed at Gent, where his output was modest but his play-making and dribbling drew interest across Europe. Paulo Fonseca remarked of him: "I expect more from him, he needs to understand that this is his moment." Now, after a difficult season, Fofana seeks to prove he is not merely another promising young prospect destined to fade but rather one of European football's most pure talents.

Roma's pursuit of a right-back has hit difficulties on two fronts. Feyenoord rejected a 29.5 million euro offer for Givairo Read, which included 4.5 million in bonuses; the Dutch club demands a guaranteed 30 million without add-ons. Simultaneously, Atlético Madrid turned down Roma's opening bid for Nahuel Molina—a 17 million euro proposal structured as a loan with an obligation to buy (bonuses included). Atlético have signalled they require 20 million euros to part with the Argentine defender, arguing that if they must sacrifice the player, the fee must justify it. Molina, who spent a brief holiday in Rome with his family last November, has also requested wages Roma have not yet matched; he earns approximately 2.5 million euros annually in Spain and is seeking a significant increase. Sporting director Florian D'Amico is not prepared to exceed his current budget for Read. Signing Molina would save Roma 10–12 million euros in transfer fees compared to the Feyenoord option, with those savings potentially redirected toward the offensive winger position—specifically Antonio Nusa, though RB Leipzig continue to demand 60 million euros for the Norwegian.

Roma defeated Newport 4–1 in a pre-season friendly in Wales, with Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk combining in attack. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring from a regista role in the 37th minute before Castro converted a penalty kick in the second half. Koulierakis added a third from a Dybala assist, and Matías Soulé finished with a curling strike; Newport scored a consolation goal. Donyell Malen was absent due to fever. Ryan Friedkin attended the match and will weigh in on ongoing transfer activity. Roma's pursuit of Feyenoord winger Read has stalled after the Dutch club raised their asking price to over €30 million overnight on Monday. The demand prompted the club to shift focus to Atlético Madrid's Molina, with Roma lodging an offer of approximately €17 million (including bonuses). Molina, a former Udinese player, currently earns €2.8 million annually in Spain. Other defensive targets remain under consideration, including Savona and Fresneda, though funds saved on Read may be redirected to securing an additional winger alongside Molina. Roma has narrowed Torino's valuation for Cacciamani and a decisive meeting with the Turin club is scheduled today. The club also plans a final push for Nusa, with Lyon midfielder Fofana lined up as a backup option if that approach fails.