Roma double down: Mora deal set, Fofana next on agenda

Roma director Tony D'Amico is preparing to reopen talks over Endrick this summer after the Brazilian forward's move to the Giallorossi stalled in the transfer window. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, D'Amico had effectively concluded a loan deal with Real Madrid before Endrick withdrew following direct contact from José Mourinho, who promised the player greater playing time. That promise has not materialised: Endrick has played just four minutes so far this season in a single appearance against Elche, with competition in Real's attacking department remaining fierce. Roma are keeping channels warm and D'Amico is ready to return to the charge in January if Endrick's minutes do not improve in the coming weeks. The Champions League fixture against Real offers a timely opportunity to reopen discussions. The player's representatives are reportedly reassessing a loan move that would guarantee regular football, on the lines of the spell he had last season at Lyon. Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has publicly stressed the need for young talents to play regularly in order to develop. From a tactical standpoint, Gasperini sees Endrick as capable of operating across the entire attacking front. He would not be the classic left-footed attacking midfielder Roma have pursued in recent months, but he would bring what the squad currently lacks: pace, acceleration and the ability to attack in depth. That profile makes him one of the most interesting options available ahead of January. In summer, both Real Madrid and Endrick himself had already agreed to the deal before Mourinho's intervention. If playing time continues to remain minimal, convincing the forward to leave this time could prove considerably easier.

Roma are preparing to revive their interest in Endrick during the January transfer window after the Real Madrid forward's lack of playing time this season. Last summer the Brazilian was close to joining Roma on loan, but José Mourinho persuaded him to stay at the Bernabéu. With Endrick having played only 4 minutes since the start of the season, Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico is ready to reopen talks with the player's representatives. D'Amico had essentially closed a loan deal last summer before Endrick's change of mind. Roma now plan to try again in January if the Brazilian's game time continues at the same level. Endrick himself is becoming convinced that a loan move similar to his spell at Lyon last year could be the right solution. Under Gasperini, Endrick would be the type of player capable of providing the direct running and space-attacking style the Roma coach has been seeking. The signing would not fulfil Roma's long-standing search for a left-footed attacking midfielder, a position the club has been targeting for over 16 months. The Spanish press has confirmed that Roma and Endrick were very close to an agreement in summer before Mourinho's intervention blocked the transfer. With Mourinho able to field numerous attacking stars at Real Madrid, the chances for Endrick to play remain minimal, making a January departure increasingly likely.

Roma are reviving their interest in Real Madrid forward Endrick after a move that nearly completed in summer was blocked by José Mourinho and the player himself. The Brazilian, who has featured for only 4 minutes since the start of the season at Real Madrid, is now reconsidering his decision to stay at the club. Roma's sporting director Tony D'Amico had effectively closed a loan deal before Endrick's U-turn last summer, but the club is keeping the contact warm with the player's representatives ahead of the January window. Endrick's lack of playing time under Mourinho—who has multiple attacking options at his disposal—has prompted Roma to prepare another attempt at signing him. The player is increasingly convinced that a loan move similar to his spell at Lyon last season could be the right option for his development. Within Gian Piero Gasperini's system, Endrick would provide the kind of forward capable of running at space and attacking the channels that the Roma manager has been seeking. However, securing a left-footed attacking midfielder has been a priority for Roma for over 16 months, and Endrick would not represent that exact profile. The deal had been close to completion in summer, with reports from Spain confirming how near Roma came to securing the transfer. If Endrick's minutes at Real Madrid continue at the current level, Roma will push to bring him in when the January transfer window opens.

Former Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio has assessed the club's strong start to the 2026–27 season in an interview, singling out Mile Svilar for particular praise. Sergio believes Roma have narrowed the gap on Inter, who remain the team to beat, though he acknowledges that Champions League involvement this season will demand significant energy. On Svilar specifically, Sergio said: "Currently, in my view, he can be considered among the three best goalkeepers in the world. He is a beast, he manages to be quick and has very good technique." Sergio highlighted Rodrigo Mora as the summer arrival with the greatest potential impact. "Rodrigo Mora I really like a lot and I am sure he will be an important player over the course of the season," he said. Wesley, the Brazilian defender, was assessed as needing to improve his consistency both physically and technically. Sergio also commented on the attacking form of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, describing them as "a great pairing," though he urged caution about title ambitions: "They are a great couple, but it is still too early to talk about the Scudetto."

Julio Sergio has urged caution over Roma's title prospects despite their strong start to the season. The former Brazilian player, who came close to winning a Serie A title at Roma, acknowledged that Gian Piero Gasperini's side has narrowed the gap to Inter but stopped short of declaring them contenders. "On the level of performance I think Roma have got closer to Inter, who remain the team to beat," Sergio said in an interview with Il Tempo. "This year, though, Roma will also be protagonists in the Champions League, a commitment that takes a lot of energy away." Speaking about the club's readiness for a title challenge, Sergio was measured. He singled out Rodrigo Mora as a player capable of making a significant impact this season: "Rodrigo Mora I really like a lot and I'm sure he can be an important player over the course of the season." On Wesley's development, he identified consistency as an area for improvement. "He needs to be more consistent, not only from a physical point of view but also technically." Sergío lavished praise on goalkeeper Mile Svilar, placing him among the world's elite. "Currently, in my opinion, he can be considered among the three best goalkeepers in the world. He's a beast, he manages to be quick and has very good technique." Asked whether the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, both in strong form, could inspire a title push, Sergio remained unconvinced. "They are a great couple, but it is still too early to talk about winning the scudetto."

Bryan Cristante faces another setback just days before the Serie A resumption, with a mild knee inflammation now added to the lower back problem that ruled him out of the latest international break. His availability for Roma's trip to Como on Sunday, 11 October, remains in serious doubt pending medical evaluation in the coming hours. The Italian press is split on his prospects. Leggo reports optimism from Trigoria about recovery in time for Fabregas's side, while Corriere della Sera suggests he could be sidelined for up to three weeks—potentially missing matches against Real Madrid and Genoa as well. For head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, a Cristante absence would be significant; he has been the midfielder most used by the coach so far this season. If Cristante cannot play, Marten De Roon is ready to start alongside Manu Koné, having used the international break to build his fitness at Trigoria with encouraging results. Niccolò Pisilli remains an alternative option. Offensive selection poses a different dilemma—one of abundance rather than scarcity. Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala are certain starters, but the third attacking slot remains in contention. Rodrigo Mora arrives on the back of an excellent overhead kick scored for Portugal Under-21, Matías Soulé awaits his Argentina debut, and Lorenzo Pellegrini has completed a full mini-preparation during the break and is now back at 100 per cent. With more than a week remaining before the Como trip to the Sinigaglia, Gasperini has time to assess whether Cristante can be recovered and to evaluate the condition of returning internationals. Roma's opening shape is beginning to take form, with De Roon primed to seize his chance and three candidates competing for the final attacking berth.

With a long international break giving Roma players downtime, the squad has been pursuing a diverse range of hobbies away from the pitch. Wesley has garnered attention for his collection of luxury cars stored in his garage, a sight that prompted teammate Soulé to make a quip about his fellow defender's automotive passion. The Brazilian is far from alone in his interests: Manu Koné, the French midfielder, describes himself as a homebody who loves spending his days resting at home, driven by an unconditional passion for French rap and trap music. His dancing and musical performances have become iconic within the group. Mario Hermoso prefers to listen to music by the pool and at the beach, his two great loves, and has recently become involved in the social ritual of mate preparation alongside Argentine players Dybala, Soulé, Balerdi, Castro and Molina. The traditional infusion travels everywhere with them, from long team bus journeys to sessions at Trigoria, serving not simply as a beverage but as a way to unwind and chat. Evan N'Dicka has revealed a strong attraction to architecture and art, appreciating Rome's historical richness during his leisure time and regularly reading history books at home. Marten de Roon curates his social media and seeks out food and wine experiences, while Mile Svilar dedicates considerable time to work with his mental coach before matches, regularly practising visualisation and breathing exercises to train self-control.

Former Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio has assessed the club's strong start to the 2026–27 season in an interview, singling out Mile Svilar for particular praise. Sergio believes Roma have narrowed the gap on Inter, who remain the team to beat, though he acknowledges that Champions League involvement this season will demand significant energy. On Svilar specifically, Sergio said: "Currently, in my view, he can be considered among the three best goalkeepers in the world. He is a beast, he manages to be quick and has very good technique." Sergio highlighted Rodrigo Mora as the summer arrival with the greatest potential impact. "Rodrigo Mora I really like a lot and I am sure he will be an important player over the course of the season," he said. Wesley, the Brazilian defender, was assessed as needing to improve his consistency both physically and technically. Sergio also commented on the attacking form of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, describing them as "a great pairing," though he urged caution about title ambitions: "They are a great couple, but it is still too early to talk about the Scudetto."

Julio Sergio has urged caution over Roma's title prospects despite their strong start to the season. The former Brazilian player, who came close to winning a Serie A title at Roma, acknowledged that Gian Piero Gasperini's side has narrowed the gap to Inter but stopped short of declaring them contenders. "On the level of performance I think Roma have got closer to Inter, who remain the team to beat," Sergio said in an interview with Il Tempo. "This year, though, Roma will also be protagonists in the Champions League, a commitment that takes a lot of energy away." Speaking about the club's readiness for a title challenge, Sergio was measured. He singled out Rodrigo Mora as a player capable of making a significant impact this season: "Rodrigo Mora I really like a lot and I'm sure he can be an important player over the course of the season." On Wesley's development, he identified consistency as an area for improvement. "He needs to be more consistent, not only from a physical point of view but also technically." Sergío lavished praise on goalkeeper Mile Svilar, placing him among the world's elite. "Currently, in my opinion, he can be considered among the three best goalkeepers in the world. He's a beast, he manages to be quick and has very good technique." Asked whether the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen, both in strong form, could inspire a title push, Sergio remained unconvinced. "They are a great couple, but it is still too early to talk about winning the scudetto."