Roma close on Porto's Rodrigo Mora as Farioli dampens exit talk

Roma have opened cup subscriptions for the 2026–27 season, covering five matches: four Champions League group-phase home fixtures and a Coppa Italia round-of-16 tie. Prices start at €31 per match. Serie A season-ticket holders receive priority access from 12:00 on 12 August to 13:00 on 19 August, with the option to select a different seat. General sale runs from 15:00 on 19 August until 18:00 on 26 August or until sold out. Two packages are offered—Classic and Plus, the latter allowing resale rights for all matches; seat transfers are not available. Portuguese talent Rodrigo Mora is nearing a move to Roma, with a contract ready until 2031 and personal terms already agreed. Negotiations with Porto continue over structure rather than principle; Roma propose €25 million upfront plus 50 per cent of future resale proceeds, with an option to pay a further €25 million in 2027 to eliminate the resale clause. Porto prefer the buyout figure to stand at €25 million from the outset. Gabriel Martinelli remains under pursuit; Roma have opened talks with Roc Nation Sports, his representatives. Arsenal would consider selling for approximately €50 million, though his €11 million-per-season gross salary remains a sticking point as Roma seek to negotiate downward. In squad news, Manu Koné has returned from post-World Cup leave with no serious interest beyond a tentative Chelsea inquiry. Nahuel Molina landed at Rome Fiumicino airport yesterday and will sign a four-year contract today, becoming immediately available to Gian Piero Gasperini. Lorenzo Pellegrini, the captain, continues recovery from a right thigh muscle relapse and will rejoin group training after 15 August.

Rodrigo Mora is edging closer to joining Roma. After days of negotiations, sporting director D'Amico is working to reach an economic agreement with Porto following the young attacker's acceptance of the move. Mora is prepared to sign a five-year contract worth approximately €1.7 million net per season. Roma has tabled an offer of €25 million plus 40% of any future sale proceeds, with a clause allowing the club to eliminate that percentage by paying an additional €20–25 million in future. The 2007-born playmaker is awaiting confirmation in the coming hours and is ready to join his new club. Portuguese newspaper Record has reported on the negotiations. The gap between the two clubs is now minimal, and both sides are eager to complete the deal.

Roma must quicken their transfer activity with less than two weeks until the Serie A season begins. Head coach Gasperini has signalled urgency to the club following a heavy defeat to Brighton, stating: "Numerically it seems there is still a need for something, but you know how it is." Koné returned to training today and Molina arrived in the capital yesterday, providing important reinforcements, but the coach insists the squad-building remains incomplete. Gasperini has emphasised the need for depth across positions, particularly given Champions League participation: "Having at least two players per role is essential for those competing in cups. Those who don't do it pay heavily." Gasperini's original shopping list comprised a defender, a winger and two forwards. Koulierakis has arrived for defence, Castro for attack, and Molina on the wing—filling three of four targets. The priority now is a second striker. Roma have identified Rodrigo Mora from Porto, with negotiations progressing well; the club hopes to complete that deal in the coming hours. The second gap is at left-back: while Molina covered Çelik's departure on the right, Gasperini needs cover for Wesley on the opposite flank, particularly after losing both Angeliño and Tsimikas from the previous season. Roma are focusing on Alessio Cacciamani and Destiny Udogie, contrasting profiles suited to strengthen the left-back options. The work ahead is significant, and time is running short.