Roma awaits right offer for Koné; Danilo and Engels among potential replacements

José Mourinho has made clear he has no intention of letting Endrick leave Real Madrid, directly warning rival clubs including Roma that they will have to contend with him to sign the Brazilian forward. Endrick was a long-standing Roma target last summer under Gasperini, and came close to joining the club in August before Mourinho intervened and persuaded him to stay at Madrid, where he has since received minimal playing time. At a press conference on 13 October ahead of Roma's match against Real Madrid, Mourinho was asked directly about Endrick's future and responded bluntly: "I club interessati dovranno lottare con me per ingaggiarlo. Lo adoro, ha un potenziale di altissimo livello ed è molto importante per noi. Non ha bisogno di essere ceduto in prestito, farà grandi cose e avrà un grande successo qui. Giocherà presto." Roma continue to monitor the 21-year-old, who impressed during a six-month spell at Lyon in France, where he scored 8 goals in limited appearances. Milan and Aston Villa are also credited with interest. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is meanwhile evaluating other concrete options to strengthen the club's attack in January.

Roma have begun planning reinforcements for the January transfer window and have set their sights on Daniel Banjaqui, a 2008-born right-back at Benfica considered one of Europe's most promising young talents in his position. The interest comes as the club looks ahead to both immediate needs and longer-term recruitment options. Banjaqui has already attracted attention from several clubs, including Juventus, according to German transfer outlet Transfersfeed. The move would form part of Roma's broader strategy to strengthen the squad in the coming window, with ambitious signings under consideration beyond their existing targets.

Roma have identified Daniel Banjaqui, a 18-year-old right-back at Benfica, as a potential transfer target, according to German outlet Transfersfeed. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini stated ahead of Roma's match against Real Madrid: "Now the January market does not interest me", with reference to forward Endrick, who is expected to remain at the Spanish club. Roma's move for Banjaqui comes as the club considers alternative objectives across different positions. Juventus are also monitoring the teenager among several European sides tracking him. Banjaqui remains contracted to Benfica until 2031 with a release clause set at €45 million, though a transfer could potentially be negotiated for around €35 million. Roma have undertaken only preliminary information-gathering through intermediaries at this stage, with no concrete negotiations underway. The club are also watching developments in Portugal across two fronts: alongside Banjaqui at Benfica, Roma are tracking Porto right-winger William Gomes, a 20-year-old left-footed player. Gomes carries a substantial release clause of €80 million in his current Porto contract, which expires in 2031. The clause is expected to rise to €100 million following an imminent contract renewal with the Portuguese club. Neither pursuit represents an active negotiation at present.

Roma squandered a dominant display to lose 4–3 to Real Madrid in the second round of the UEFA Champions League League Phase at Stadio Olimpico on 14 October. The Giallorossi led 3–1 and controlled large stretches of the match but capitulated in the final stages, conceding three goals from corner kicks. Donyell Malen scored twice and created constant danger, earning an 8 rating, but his performance could not prevent Real's turnaround. Gian Piero Gasperini's side began brightly and took the lead through Marten de Roon before Malen and Matías Soulé extended the advantage. Real mounted a second-half comeback that proved fatal to Roma's hopes. The defensive substitutions—Leonardo Balerdi replacing Gianluca Mancini at 63 minutes and Konstantinos Koulierakis entering for Mario Hermoso at 80 minutes—failed to shore up the backline; both changes coincided with the collapse that allowed Real to turn the match around. Koné's early injury at 15 minutes proved costly to Roma's midfield stability, forcing Niccolò Pisilli into action. Wesley earned a 7 rating for tireless full-back play, while De Roon was judged indispensable given the midfield injuries and warranted 7 for both his goal and leadership. Rodrigo Mora came on for Paulo Dybala in the 46th minute after Dybala suffered a muscular problem, contributing 6.5 with an assist for Malen's second goal. Soulé, deployed wide on the right by Gasperini, scored 7 for his performance and the assist that made it 3–1. Lorenzo Pellegrini replaced Soulé at 63 minutes but could not affect the outcome, firing high from a good position. On the defending side, N'Dicka earned 6.5 despite conceding Rudiger's goal, while Hermoso was marked 5.5 for responsibility in Mbappé's opener. Pierluigi Gollini was rated 6, largely unburdened until the final collapse. Gasperini himself received 6, with the assessment noting that Roma's lack of experience and composure under pressure—particularly from set pieces—cost them dearly in the final twenty minutes.

Roma played host to Real Madrid in a Champions League match at the Stadio Olimpico, with French referee Letexier in charge. The match was refereed by a mixed officiating team: Letexier handled the centre, assisted by French linesmen Mugnier and Rahmouni, with Dechepy as fourth official. The VAR team was entirely Dutch, with Higler on VAR and van Boekel as assistant VAR. Several key incidents marked the contest. At 37 minutes, Cucurella was spared a yellow card after an apparent handball on Matías Soulé, who had space to advance. Pellegrini received a yellow card for a foul on Bernardo Silva in the 89th minute. Wesley was cautioned for a challenge on Diomande in the 69th minute, and Gianluca Mancini was booked for holding Mbappé at the 59-minute mark. Mbappé's goal was disallowed for offside at the 68-minute mark. Carlos Espì's goal was initially ruled out for offside but was overturned after VAR review at 83 minutes.

Roma return to Champions League football at the Olimpico for the first time in seven years, facing Real Madrid, the competition's most successful winner. Gasperini opts for a three-at-the-back formation with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence. Wesley and Molina patrol the flanks, with Koné and De Roon in midfield. Soulé plays behind Dybala and Malen in attack. Roma (3-4-1-2): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Wesley, Koné, De Roon, Molina; Soulé; Dybala, Malen. Substitutes: De Marzi, Vásquez, Balerdi, Ghilardi, Koulierakis, Rensch, Lulli, Pisilli, Mora, Castro, Pellegrini. Manager: Gasperini. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Rüdiger, Cucurella; Valverde, Tchouaméni; Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé. Substitutes: Lunin, Mestre, Dumfries, Huijsen, Carreras, Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Brahim Díaz, Diomandé, Endrick, Espí, Pitarch. Manager: Mourinho.

Roma are preparing to increase their pursuit of Torino midfielder Cacciamani with a new bid of up to €15 million, combining fixed fee and bonus payments. The club plans fresh contact with Torino's hierarchy as early as today in an attempt to accelerate negotiations. Torino continue to value the player highly, with the club's asking price set at around €20 million, but Roma's initial offer of €8 million fixed plus €2 million in add-ons was rejected. Roma's renewed push comes as the Giallorossi look to strengthen their young talent pool in the current transfer window. The gap between the two clubs remains significant—Torino's €20 million valuation and Roma's revised proposal of €15 million still leave room for negotiation. Club officials are intent on closing the deal swiftly as the summer window progresses. On the outgoing front, Roma remain patient regarding potential moves for Matías Soulé, awaiting concrete offers. Departures are imminent for Cherubini, bound for Benevento, and Radosław Żelezny, who is close to joining Perugia.

Radosław Żelezny, Roma's Polish goalkeeper, will join Serie C side Perugia on loan with a purchase option as the club continues to move out youth talent. The 2006-born shot-stopper, formerly of Juventus, arrived at Roma a year ago on a contract running until 2029 with an additional optional year. Roma have secured a counter-purchase clause protecting their interests in the deal. Żelezny is expected to link up with Perugia and manager Aimo Diana from tomorrow. The departure underlines Roma's summer strategy of loaning out academy prospects and fringe players to gain competitive football elsewhere. Żelezny's initial contract terms—through 2029 with an extension option—reflected Roma's intention to develop him at Trigoria, but limited first-team opportunities have prompted the temporary move. The arrangement allows both clubs flexibility: Perugia can assess the goalkeeper at senior level while Roma maintain a financial safeguard through their counter-option. Żelezny becomes another young player exiting on loan this window as Roma reshape their squad for the 2026–27 campaign.

Roma are preparing to complete the departure of goalkeeper Radosław Żelezny to Serie B side Perugia on a loan deal. Żelezny, a 2006-born keeper who arrived at Roma a year ago but has never made a first-team appearance, will move to Perugia under an agreement that includes a recall option in Roma's favour, allowing the club to decide whether to bring him back to Trigoria in the future. The deal also features a right of redemption for Perugia, meaning both clubs have contractual levers over the player's status. The loan move represents another outgoing from Roma's squad this summer and provides the young goalkeeper with an opportunity to gain regular competitive experience in Italy's second tier, where he is expected to challenge for the number-one jersey at the Umbrian club.