Roma chase three full-back targets as Mora deal nears completion

Anass Salah-Eddine will play no part in Roma's 2026–27 season after rejecting a move to Olympiacos. The full-back returned to Trigoria following the end of his loan spell at PSV, which opted not to exercise its purchase option on the 2001-born player. Gasperini has excluded him from the club's project, and Salah-Eddine did not participate in pre-season training or the squad's summer training camp in Wales. Salah-Eddine, who featured for Morocco at the World Cup, is now surplus to requirements at the Stadio Olimpico. An offer from Olympiacos arrived in recent weeks, but the player turned down the opportunity. He will remain outside the squad until a fresh exit option materialises.

Roma are actively monitoring several fullback options to strengthen their wide defensive ranks under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, according to director of sport D'Amico. The club is considering a number of profiles for the position, including Henrique, Udogie, and Cacciamani, as part of a planned squad refresh on the flanks. The Giallorossi are looking to complete their fullback contingent before the new season advances further. The pursuit of these defensive reinforcements reflects Gasperini's priority to shore up Roma's wide areas. Each candidate brings distinct qualities to the table, though all share the same primary objective of bolstering the club's lateral defence. The summer transfer window remains open for Roma to conclude negotiations and add depth to this critical area of the pitch.

Anass Salah-Eddine will not play for Roma again. The Moroccan defender, on the books as a 2002-born player, rejected a move to Olympiacos and has been placed on the transfer list. Earlier in the window, a return to the Eredivisie appeared possible following his loan spell at PSV, but that deal did not materialise. When Olympiacos made their approach, Salah-Eddine declined the offer. With his departure now certain, Roma has sidelined him from squad activities. According to Corriere della Sera, the situation will not change; the former PSV player remains available for transfer and is awaiting fresh offers from other clubs. His future lies away from the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma will open their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina in exactly one week's time, but face an injury concern over two key players. Wesley and Pisilli were both absent from a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, and their availability for the first league match remains uncertain. Wesley has an ongoing ankle problem that will be reassessed when training resumes at Trigoria in two days' time; Pisilli will undergo a similar evaluation on the same day. There is optimism both players will be fit for the clash with Fiorentina. Molina is expected to be the only recent recruit to start from the beginning against the Viola. Manu Koné requires further assessment before selection. Matías Soulé will operate on the left wing, with Paulo Dybala positioned on the right. Lorenzo Pellegrini, meanwhile, needs more time to recover from injury and will not be included in the squad for the match.

Roma will open their 2026-27 season at the Olimpico against Fiorentina on Monday, 24 August at 20:45, with director D'Amico still working to finalise the squad ahead of the summer transfer window's closure on Tuesday, 1 September at 20:00. Rodrigo Mora, a left-sided winger described as a long-term target for Gasperini, is close to joining from Porto, and the club expects at least one further reinforcement before the deadline. However, Gasperini is likely to start the campaign with roughly 10 or 11 players from last season's squad. Molina is expected to earn a starting berth against Fiorentina, but the other recent arrivals face obstacles to immediate prominence. Koulierakis is unlikely to displace Mario Hermoso in the defensive hierarchy, and Castro faces a similar challenge against Donyell Malen despite the winger's low-profile preseason. Mora, expected in Italy in the coming days, will need time to integrate into Gasperini's system; Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé are likely to retain their attacking partnership. Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss the opener through injury, while Niccolò Pisilli hopes to return in the squad and Wesley is managing a minor ankle sprain sustained in Saturday's friendly against Borussia Dortmund.

Roma are preparing to shift focus to the left flank after the imminent completion of the Mora deal, with sporting director D'Amico seeking to bolster the lateral options available to Gasperini. Currently, Rensch and Wesley are the only out-and-out wide players in that position. Cacciamani and Udogie remain the preferred targets, but Luis Henrique, the Inter winger, has also entered contention. The Brazilian, despite being right-footed, could serve Gasperini as a versatile option capable of operating behind the front line. According to reports, Luis Henrique has already approved a move to Roma and is now the leading candidate following the closure of discussions around the Portuguese class of 2007 player. Fresh talks are planned with Torino over Cacciamani, whose club are holding out for €20 million, while D'Amico is targeting €15 million including bonuses. Udogie represents an alternative, with any deal hinged on a loan with an obligation to buy, and Luis Henrique would serve as a further option should negotiations with Torino break down.