Roma chase Zirkzee ahead of Verona; Pellegrini and Tsimikas ruled out

Lorenzo Pellegrini will not be available until the end of August at the earliest, as he continues to recover from a right thigh muscle injury. The Roma midfielder will miss fixtures against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August and Lecce on Monday 31 August. From 1 September, Pellegrini will begin training with the squad, with a week needed to regain match fitness. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had indicated the extent of the layoff following Pellegrini's contract renewal on 8 August, stating: "It will take at least a month. At least. We'll talk about it in September." A call-up for the home match against Atalanta on Saturday 5 September is possible, but the key fixture targeted for Pellegrini's return is the away trip to Torino on Sunday 13 September. The number 7 suffered a recurrence of his muscular injury to the rectus femoris of his right thigh, prolonging his absence from team training and competitive action.

Roma's transfer priorities have shifted following the completion of Rodrigo Mora's signing. The club is now concentrating efforts on the left-back position and has deprioritised other targets, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto. Interest in Malick Fofana has cooled considerably. Roma had an agreement in place with the Belgian winger but has not given Lyon the go-ahead to negotiate further. A proposed deal worth €35 million plus add-ons was deemed excessive by the club. After restructuring the terms to bring Mora to the capital, the Fofana operation has been sidelined. Similarly, pressure on Alessio Cacciamani has been relaxed as Roma refocus their efforts elsewhere. Luis Henrique has become the priority target, with Roma now pressing hard on that front. The challenge now is to find agreement on the financial terms between player and club.

Gian Piero Gasperini is building tactical flexibility into Roma's attack by deploying multiple forward options this summer. The transfer window has brought in players who give the squad genuine alternatives in attacking positions, allowing the coach to rotate his approach and personnel depending on match circumstances and opposition. The expanded attacking depth represents a shift in Roma's squad construction under Gasperini's direction. Rather than relying on a single focal point in the forward line, the club now has the depth to vary its attacking shape and personnel, offering the coach more tactical control and reducing fatigue across a full campaign. This approach reflects Gasperini's preference for tactical adaptability and squad rotation, principles he has applied throughout his managerial career. Roma's transfer strategy this summer has been built around creating multiple paths to attack, giving the coach options to switch formations, playing styles, and personnel to suit different opponents and match situations.

Lorenzo Pellegrini will not be available until the end of August at the earliest, as he continues to recover from a right thigh muscle injury. The Roma midfielder will miss fixtures against Fiorentina on Monday 24 August and Lecce on Monday 31 August. From 1 September, Pellegrini will begin training with the squad, with a week needed to regain match fitness. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had indicated the extent of the layoff following Pellegrini's contract renewal on 8 August, stating: "It will take at least a month. At least. We'll talk about it in September." A call-up for the home match against Atalanta on Saturday 5 September is possible, but the key fixture targeted for Pellegrini's return is the away trip to Torino on Sunday 13 September. The number 7 suffered a recurrence of his muscular injury to the rectus femoris of his right thigh, prolonging his absence from team training and competitive action.

Roma want to complete their squad with two more signings before the transfer window closes, but face financial and numerical constraints imposed by UEFA agreements and profit rules. Head coach Gasperini continues to push for a profile like Malick Fofana to add unpredictability to the attack, but the situation is complex. With the arrival of Rodrigo Mora, the attacking midfield is already well covered: Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Robinio Vaz are all in the squad. Any move for Fofana depends on a significant sale that generates a profit to stay within settlement agreement parameters—which allow a maximum loss of €60 million over three years. Matías Soulé is the likeliest candidate to raise a fee close to €40 million. Director Tony D'Amico is also evaluating Luis Henrique from Inter as an alternative. The Brazilian can play on the wing or as an additional forward and would be an ideal utility player. Inter have indicated availability for a loan with a buyout clause set at €27–28 million, though the Nerazzurri are demanding very simple conditions to trigger the obligation—such as the first point won or survival—which complicates the deal. Lyon's timeline further clouds matters: the French club wants to wait for the outcome of Champions League qualifying before giving final approval for Fofana.

Niccolò Pisilli and Wesley have returned to training with Roma ahead of Monday evening's Serie A fixture against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico, which is set for a sell-out. Pisilli has recovered from a muscular problem to the thigh that sidelined him in recent weeks, while Wesley completed partial work with the squad after a minor ankle sprain. Gian Piero Gasperini appears set to deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing in midfield despite Pisilli's availability. Wesley, the Brazilian winger, is targeting a starting berth against Fiorentina. Manchester United completed a deal for Brighton's Carlos Baleba on the same day, removing any uncertainty over Manu Koné's future at Roma. In defence, Mario Hermoso holds an advantage over Koulierakis for a place, while Molina will make his debut on the right. Lorenzo Pellegrini is unavailable for the match.

Gianluca Mancini has reaffirmed his commitment to Roma, dismissing interest from Inter and pledging to remain central to the club's ambitions. Since joining in 2019, Mancini has become the team's captain and emotional leader. "The heart cannot be commanded," he told Sky Sport. "I have a special relationship with Roma, I feel it inside me from the first day I arrived and it has only grown over the years. I wanted strongly to stay with the manager, with my teammates, to continue being a protagonist in this new year that is coming and to do things in the best way possible, because we deserve it as players, the city deserves it, the fans deserve it, the club deserves it. When you are part of a family it is difficult to leave." Mancini praised head coach Gasperini's preparation of the squad and outlined Roma's ambitions for the 2026–27 season. The defender explained that "what the manager does with his staff is to put us in the right conditions to face the season in the best way possible. We as a group follow to the letter what he tells us to do." On the title race, he noted that Inter start as favourites but stressed Roma's own credentials: "We are among those who will give everything to fight a tough championship." The focus, he said, is clear: "Not to be satisfied with what was done last season and try to do even better." Mancini also welcomed new arrivals into the squad. Rodrigo Mora joined recently, and Mancini recalled playing against him when Mora was at Porto two years ago, describing the impression he made as "very beautiful." On integrating new players, Mancini noted that senior figures help ease the transition—with Kostas Tsimikas, for instance, discussions quickly turned to tactics, environment, housing, and personal life. The Friedkin Group ownership, he added, shares a clear vision: "Their dream is to see a strong Roma, competitive, at high levels, and they have always shown it."

Pierluigi Gollini has announced he is expecting a son. The Roma goalkeeper shared the news on social media, writing: "Life, at times, gives you what you've always dreamed of; we were very fortunate." He and his partner Ariel Serra, whom he married in May 2025, posted photos of Nike baby shoes they had already purchased for their child. The couple were expecting a boy. Gollini's teammates responded warmly to the announcement on social media, including messages from Niccolò Pisilli and Jan Ziółkowski. Former Roma player Kostas Tsimikas also commented, as did Chiara Nasti, wife of Mattia Zaccagni and formerly Gollini's sister-in-law.

Emanuele Lulli, the 18-year-old right-back, delivered a positive display for Roma in their final pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Stadium yesterday, starting and playing 76 minutes. Gasperini has regularly deployed the class of 2007 prospect in recent weeks, with Lulli appearing in progressive minutes across warm-up fixtures: 18 minutes against Cardiff, 20 against Newport, 12 against Brighton, and the full 76-minute outing against Dortmund. The teenager, who turns 19 tomorrow, demonstrated both defensive cover and attacking thrust—precisely what Gasperini demands from his fullbacks. Roma's recruitment focus remains on the offensive flank, though director D'Amico continues work on the fullback contingent. With Tsimikas, Çelik and Angeliño departed, the squad has lacked reinforcement on the wings; only Wesley and Devyne Rensch remain from last season, with Molina arriving yesterday on his Roma debut. Lulli's composed display offers genuine hope of a permanent pathway into first-team contention under Gasperini. Lulli recorded three defensive contributions, two interceptions and three recoveries in addition to one clearance across his 76 minutes, also winning one ground duel and one aerial duel. He registered 88% pass accuracy in the opposition half (7/8) and 82% in his own half (9/11), with 2 of 3 long passes reaching their target. His ball-carrying statistics stand out: 54.9 metres gained (compared to 23.3 for Rensch), including 37.4 metres towards the opposition goal (21.3 for Rensch). Roma continue pressing on Udogie, while moves for Cacciamani and Luis Henrique face complications.

Rodrigo Mora impressed in his first training session and now has four days to convince Gasperini he deserves the starting role in Roma's match against Fiorentina on Monday. The Portuguese forward will compete with Matías Soulé for the trequartista position in a 3-4-1-2 formation that Roma trialled on 19 August. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are set to start as the two strikers, with Mora eyeing an opportunity to stake his claim in the role that suits him best. Soulé's availability for the match remains uncertain as AC Milan continues to press for his signature, alongside English club Sunderland. The competition for places elsewhere in the team appears settled: Molina is ready to make his debut, Wesley will start at left-back, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné will operate in midfield, and the defensive line in front of Mile Svilar will comprise Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso. Gasperini's early feedback on Mora has been positive, giving the forward genuine scope to earn a starting berth.

Rodrigo Mora has been assigned shirt number 86 at Roma, completing a historical milestone for the club. The Portuguese player, a class of 2007 talent, chose the number on 19 August, and it marks the first time the 86 has been worn since Roma introduced fixed squad numbers in the 1995–96 season. Mora wore the number at Porto and had worn the 10 in UEFA Youth League there; across Portugal's national youth levels he has worn 11, 24, 20, 17, 28, and 10 in Under-21, but returns to the 8 and 6 combination familiar from his time at Porto. The 86 was the final unassigned number in Roma's history of squad allocation, a gap that has persisted for three decades. Though some numbers have been selected but never worn in matches—such as the 84 given to Del Bello and Louakima in 2022–23 and the 79 assigned to Edoardo Morucci in European League action last January without deployment—the 86 remained untouched until Mora's arrival. The club's iconic numbers include the 10 retired for Francesco Totti since 28 May 2017, the 21 currently worn by Paulo Dybala, the 23 of Gianluca Mancini, the 22 of Mario Hermoso, the 5 of Falcao, the 6 of Aldair, the 16 of Daniele De Rossi, and the 9 of Roberto Pruzzo. Mora will now seek to make the 86 uniquely his own in Roma colours.

Rodrigo Mora landed at Ciampino yesterday to a reception of nearly 500 supporters as Roma completed the Portuguese attacking talent's signing. The 19-year-old expressed his gratitude in an official interview: "I want to thank Roma and Porto. I'm very happy to be here, and I thank the fans for the support they showed me at the airport. I'm very pleased and hope to have a great season here." José Mourinho endorsed the move, calling Mora "one of the greatest talents in Portuguese football. Technically very strong, a creative player who unbalances matches. I think Roma fans will love him." Meanwhile, Roma remain in talks over striker Malick Fofana from Lyon. An agreement in principle is in place for €35 million plus bonuses, but the deal is conditional on Lyon's European preliminary round results and awaits approval from the Friedkin Group ownership, who are reluctant to commit such a sum without significant departures or cheaper payment structures, mindful of financial fair play constraints. Defender Gianluca Mancini discussed the challenge ahead under Gian Piero Gasperini in an interview with Sky Sport. On competing in the Champions League for the first time, he said: "Yes, we pursued it for some years. Last season we secured it and we can't wait to take part in this beautiful competition." He added on Gasperini's training intensity: "I think all preparations are tough because you come from a holiday period and when you restart in the heat the first sessions are tough everywhere, what the manager and his staff do is put us in the right conditions to face the season in the best way possible. We as a group follow exactly what he tells us to do." Manu Koné is expected to remain at Roma after Manchester United withdrew from the race for the French midfielder.