Roma edge closer to Mora deal as improved offer revives negotiations

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.

Juventus and Napoli both attempted to lure Paulo Dybala away from Roma during the summer transfer window, but the Argentine remained committed to the club and to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Juventus conducted an initial enquiry into Dybala's contract situation, while Napoli also signalled their interest. In both cases, however, Dybala's response was unambiguous: his priority was Roma and honouring his commitment to Gasperini. Gasperini's role in retaining the forward proved central to the outcome. The coach worked with both the player and the club to unlock a contract negotiation that had stalled for months, convincing Dybala that he would be a cornerstone of his tactical project. Dybala's decision to stay was reinforced by the direct confidence Gasperini showed in him, illustrating the trust between manager and player at a critical juncture. The contract renewal through 2027 was also facilitated by Dybala's willingness to restructure his salary downwards, accepting a deal built around a fixed base with various bonuses tied to appearances, goals and assists. The most significant aspect of the situation, however, remains that Dybala had the opportunity to explore other options and chose to remain at Roma—a reflection of the faith Gasperini had placed in him.

Bryan Cristante is a doubt for Roma's trip to Como on 11 October, with kickoff at 12:30 on Sunday, after the midfielder withdrew from international duty with lower back pain and subsequently picked up a knee issue. The medical staff will assess Cristante in the coming days; if he is unavailable, Manu Koné is on standby, with either Niccolò Pisilli or Marten de Roon as alternatives. Roma resume their campaign after the October international break in what is billed as a significant fixture. The club has contingency options in midfield to cover a potential absence from a key player. Gasperini will make a final decision on Cristante's fitness ahead of the match. On transfer matters, the article notes several developments: Inter are reportedly considering a move for a midfielder, with Roma holding a 10 per cent sell-on clause from Cagliari on that player. Two other stories have emerged concerning Roma—Gasperini's involvement in Paulo Dybala's contract renewal, during which Dybala rejected approaches from both Juventus and Napoli, and a claim from Spanish sources that a deal for Real Madrid's Endrick to join Roma was agreed before being halted.

Bryan Cristante is a doubt for Roma's trip to Como on 11 October after suffering a slight knee inflammation. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini must plan for the midfielder's potential absence from the Serie A fixture. Cristante has been sidelined by the injury and will be assessed by the medical staff in the coming days. The midfielder remains Roma's most-used player under Gasperini this season but faces an uncertain path to the Como clash, though there is optimism over his chances. A back problem had already kept Cristante out of international duty during the recent break. If he cannot recover in time, Marten de Roon is ready to partner Manu Koné in midfield. De Roon has not yet started a match but has been working at Trigoria throughout the international window and has delivered strong athletic responses in training. In attack, three players are competing for a starting place alongside Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala. Rodrigo Mora has just scored an excellent overhead kick for Portugal's under-21 side, Matías Soulé is preparing for his Argentina debut, and Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned to full fitness after a brief training programme.

Bryan Cristante is a doubt for Roma's Serie A match against Como on 11 October after suffering a slight knee inflammation. The midfielder has been Gasperini's most-used player so far this season but will be assessed by the medical staff in the coming hours. A back problem previously ruled him out of international duty. If Cristante is unavailable, Marten de Roon is ready to partner Manu Koné in midfield. De Roon has not yet started a match but has been working at Trigoria throughout the extended break and is delivering strong physical responses in training. There is cautious optimism over Cristante's availability. In attack, three players are competing for one starting place alongside Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen: Rodrigo Mora has just scored a spectacular overhead kick for Portugal's under-21 side, Matías Soulé is available for his debut with Argentina, and Lorenzo Pellegrini has returned to full fitness following his brief preparation.

Donyell Malen has been named Serie A Player of the Month after a striking start to the 2026-27 season. The forward has scored 6 goals in Roma's first 5 matches, establishing himself as the team's primary attacking focus under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Gasperini has deployed Malen as a centre forward rather than in a wide role, a change from his previous career positions that has yielded immediate results since his arrival in January. In national team news, Gianluca Mancini returns to Italy's squad for tomorrow's Nations League group-stage fixture against France at 20:45, having been rested during the preceding match against Turkey. Daniele Ghilardi, the other Roma player in contention, has been left out and remains without a senior international debut. Rodrigo Mora featured prominently for Portugal U21 in a 4-0 European Championship qualifier victory over Gibraltar, playing 60 minutes and opening the match with a spectacular overhead kick from just inside the penalty area. He drew a standing ovation when substituted after continuing to impress with creative play. Meanwhile, Roma president Dan Friedkin has personally engaged with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to address the club's financial fair play breach ahead of a verdict expected in November. The two met during the assembly of European clubs in Copenhagen, where Friedkin outlined Roma's case: declining losses, consistent improvement in accounts, and future revenue growth from Champions League participation and the new stadium project. The discussion centred on Roma's failure to meet the financial objectives set four years earlier under the original UEFA agreement. Local media commentary has begun focusing on Roma's upcoming fixtures against Como and Real Madrid. Analysts have suggested that Mora could start against Como, given that Matías Soulé will have limited preparation time on his return, and that midfielder Marten de Roon could add midfield depth. One observer noted that Mora may prove decisive in the Real Madrid encounter: "The Real Madrid match seems the right one for Mora: he could become the decisive factor. Compared to last season Roma has more quality. Everyone can rotate and I think Gasperini will play them all in the coming matches."