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

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified a striker and a left-back as the remaining pieces needed to complete the squad ahead of tomorrow's away fixture at Lecce. Gasperini said: "To complete the team we need a piece that closes that section. A left-back and a forward have remained. Lulli has filled in somewhat, I have always believed in him, he is giving important responses but we cannot load such large responsibilities on him. Last season we had Angeliño, Tsimikas, Çelik, Wesley and also Rensch." Gasperini has most of his squad available for the trip to Via del Mare, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch expected to return to group training next week. Leonardo Balerdi was officially confirmed as a new arrival this morning, joining fellow recent additions Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina among the squad.

Leonardo Balerdi has given his first interview as a Roma player, describing his arrival from Marseille as a move to convince Gasperini and climb the defensive hierarchy. The Argentine former Marseille captain spoke to the club's official channels about his childhood, Gasperini's interest dating back to his Atalanta years, and his experiences elsewhere. "I am truly happy and very calm," Balerdi said. "From the moment I arrived here in Rome they welcomed me with incredible affection and warmth." Bareldi is included in Roma's squad for the trip to Lecce on 31 August at 18:30 for the second Serie A round. Roma come into the fixture on the back of a 4–0 home win against Fiorentina and aim to maintain that momentum. However, Devyne Rensch remains unavailable and will return to Gasperini's disposal on Tuesday; Lorenzo Pellegrini is also sidelined. Jan Ziółkowski and Robinio Vaz are absent due to transfer matters. Gasperini has already moved to strengthen the squad, completing the arrival of Marten De Roon from Atalanta within 24–48 hours. De Roon, who boasts over 60 international caps, was released by Atalanta after many years at the club and was not in their plans. Gasperini explained the reasoning behind the De Roon move at his pre-match press conference: "De Roon came about quickly in the space of 24–48 hours. He had a situation at Atalanta after many years and did not fit their plans. There was this opportunity and I made contact with Percassi. They made the decision very quickly and left him free to decide. So El Aynaoui has the chance of a new experience. From an economic perspective it is important because it gives us the chance to move on another role. De Roon is intact even if he is an advanced age; he will enter a strong group that wants to be protagonists. Two captains have arrived and I believe we give this squad a strong physical turning point that it needs, as well as personality. Marten is Dutch like Malen and balances out the Argentines. I am certainly happy and I think from this aspect we come out solid." With three days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma continue to pursue reinforcements for Gasperini, particularly a left-winger with a right foot. The club is now pushing hard for Luiz Henrique, a Brazilian winger born in 2001 at Zenit. According to Fabrizio Romano, talks are ongoing between Roma and Zenit over Henrique, who has signalled openness to the move and made Roma his priority. The two clubs must now reach final agreement.

Leonardo Balerdi has made his first official statements as a Roma player, striking a measured tone in his approach to the club's fierce local rivalry. Speaking about his European pedigree and first impressions of the Stadio Olimpico, the Argentine centre-back recalled his previous appearance there as an opposing player with a knowing smile: "I've played in very hot atmospheres like Boca, Dortmund and Marseille. I've already been at the Olimpico as an away player but I played against the other team. I can't wait to feel all the warmth of the giallorosso fans on my side." The comment deftly avoided naming Lazio while making clear reference to the Derby della Capitale. Balerdi's remarks reveal a player already attuned to the sensitivities of Roman football. The 1999-born defender arrives from Marseille and brings significant experience of high-pressure environments across European football. His background—from Boca Juniors' Bombonera through Dortmund's Bundesliga and Marseille's Vélodrome—equips him with the tactical maturity and mental resilience required to integrate quickly into Gian Piero Gasperini's defensive unit. Such qualities are essential for managing the intensity and tactical demands of Roma's backline. Balerdi's comments reflect a natural and direct communication style suited to navigating the complexities of Roman football culture without resorting to empty declarations. His track record demonstrates an ability to perform under sustained pressure—a characteristic essential for rapid integration into Roma's defensive structures.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has identified a striker and a left-back as the remaining pieces needed to complete the squad ahead of tomorrow's away fixture at Lecce. Gasperini said: "To complete the team we need a piece that closes that section. A left-back and a forward have remained. Lulli has filled in somewhat, I have always believed in him, he is giving important responses but we cannot load such large responsibilities on him. Last season we had Angeliño, Tsimikas, Çelik, Wesley and also Rensch." Gasperini has most of his squad available for the trip to Via del Mare, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch expected to return to group training next week. Leonardo Balerdi was officially confirmed as a new arrival this morning, joining fellow recent additions Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina among the squad.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his squad for Roma's Serie A matchday 2 fixture against Lecce. Neil El Aynaoui and Robinio Vaz are absent from the squad list, both players close to departing the club. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable through injury. The 24-man squad features goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini. In defence, Gasperini has included Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi. Midfield options are Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora, while attack is covered by Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

Roma head to Lecce for their second match of the season with Gasperini able to call on most of his squad. Leonardo Balerdi makes his competitive debut after his official confirmation this morning, while fellow new arrivals Koulierakis, Mora, Castro and Molina are all available. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Devyne Rensch remain sidelined but will return to training next week. De Roon, who arrived in the capital today, is not yet officially registered and therefore unavailable. Neil El Aynaoui is also absent from the squad list. Robinio Vaz has been left out as he prepares to join Hull City pending Roma's approval and the arrival of another striker. The full squad includes goalkeepers Svilar, De Marzi and Gollini; defenders Koulierakis, N'Dicka, Molina, Hermoso, Mancini, Balerdi, Wesley, Lulli and Ghilardi; midfielders Cristante, Koné, Pisilli and Mora; and forwards Castro, Malen, Soulé and Dybala.

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.