Roma-Endrick negotiations stall: what must happen to close the deal

Rome's radio stations offered contrasting takes on Roma's prospects heading into Sunday's visit to Como, with Endrick dominating transfer discussion and debate over the unconventional international break shaping preparation. Piero Torri suggested Endrick could develop into Gasperini's answer to Juan Fernando Muriel, saying: "Endrick for me could become the new Muriel of Gasperini, another player who, like Malen, when he gets the ball his first thought is the goal regardless of the role he would play." Lorenzo Pes compared the situation to last summer's protracted Zirkzee saga but expressed cautiously optimistic sentiment: "Endrick as a telenovela is very similar to Zirkzee's from last year, and I think we'll carry it with us for a long time. Last summer if he had left on loan there would have been excellent opportunities. Endrick is not playing despite Mourinho wanting to keep him, and Roma are watching. I hope the ending is not the same as Zirkzee—this time there are better foundations: Roma wants to sign a player there. If the squad stays close to the top of the table, I think you'll have to make an effort. Endrick has all the characteristics that appeal, and he is intrigued by Roma. Behind closed doors the contacts continue, it's a profile that appeals greatly." Torri added that Wesley has been in contact with Endrick, relaying: "There have been some conversations between Wesley and Endrick: 'Come here and have fun, with Gasp you score and play Champions League.' That's fine, in all transfer dealings these dynamics exist. For January I think there is the owner's willingness to make an effort." Alessio Nardo countered that Endrick does not match Roma's ideal profile, as "he is not the left-winger with right foot, he is not a winger." Gianluca Piacentini raised concerns about fielding Leonardo Balerdi and Matías Soulé together: "They are not Svilar and Koné. What scares me more is what the Argentines will do after the match than during it." Francesca Ferrazza noted the Como fixture's kickoff time as problematic: "How do you put a big match like Como–Roma at 12:30?" Stefano Carina praised Aurélien Tchouaméni's performance in international duty, saying "Doumbia is the best on the pitch, he has elegance and physical strength, you can see he is a top-level player. Our clubs slept, and Sporting took him away for €20 million. You'll see, they'll sell him for €50 million now." Roberto Pruzzo questioned the reported €600 million squad valuation, and Nardo Orsi observed that Como's squad, also valued at €580 million, was assembled far more economically—built from youth development at roughly €10 million outlay versus Roma's €400 million spend.

Roma could reopen talks with Jayden Oosterwolde during the winter transfer window after a summer move collapsed over medical concerns. The club had scheduled the defender's medical examinations before completing the deal, but assessments revealed a significant muscle tear that required surgery and an estimated three-month recovery. Roma chose not to proceed at that point, but have kept the 2001-born left-back on their radar. Director of sport Massimo D'Amico continues to monitor Oosterwolde's progress, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had already approved the move when it was being considered in summer, signalling how highly the former Parma player was valued for the project. The failed summer operation has not damaged relations between the parties. Roma will reassess Oosterwolde once he returns to full fitness and provides sufficient physical guarantees, with the January window offering a chance to revive negotiations that seemed all but done before the injury setback. A recent sign of sustained interest came during Roma's Champions League fixture against Istanbul, when Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and subsequently held talks with Gasperini and his staff. Much will depend on the Dutch defender's recovery and Roma's own evaluation, but he remains a profile to watch for the giallorossi's left flank.

Roma will renew their search for a forward in the January transfer window after failing to secure a speedster during the summer. The club saved money through the structure of the Rodrigo Mora deal and is monitoring both established and familiar targets for the position, according to Corriere dello Sport. Endrick, a Real Madrid forward, is on Roma's radar and could potentially leave on loan if his minutes continue to be limited. However, securing him would require negotiating a permanent option to buy, which Real Madrid are unlikely to grant. Jaime Leweling, who came close to joining in the summer, remains a target with a potentially reduced price tag after struggling for regular minutes. Jamie Gittens, who has yet to play in the Premier League this campaign, is also under consideration. Roma are interested in Giorgi Kvernadze, an emerging Serie A prospect at Frosinone, though convincing the club to sell mid-season will prove difficult. Luiz Henrique from Zenit is another option, though he is left-footed, which could complicate matters given Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé's fitness status. Buying in January typically carries a premium, but the article notes that new opportunities frequently emerge as players seek more regular football. The possibility remains that Mora could develop into the solution, potentially negating the need for another attacker.

Roma could reopen talks with Jayden Oosterwolde during the winter transfer window after a summer move collapsed over medical concerns. The club had scheduled the defender's medical examinations before completing the deal, but assessments revealed a significant muscle tear that required surgery and an estimated three-month recovery. Roma chose not to proceed at that point, but have kept the 2001-born left-back on their radar. Director of sport Massimo D'Amico continues to monitor Oosterwolde's progress, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had already approved the move when it was being considered in summer, signalling how highly the former Parma player was valued for the project. The failed summer operation has not damaged relations between the parties. Roma will reassess Oosterwolde once he returns to full fitness and provides sufficient physical guarantees, with the January window offering a chance to revive negotiations that seemed all but done before the injury setback. A recent sign of sustained interest came during Roma's Champions League fixture against Istanbul, when Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and subsequently held talks with Gasperini and his staff. Much will depend on the Dutch defender's recovery and Roma's own evaluation, but he remains a profile to watch for the giallorossi's left flank.

Roma's interest in Jayden Oosterwolde has not ended despite the dramatic collapse of negotiations last summer. The Dutch player arrived in the capital for medical examinations, but concerns emerged over his muscle injury during those tests. In early September, he underwent surgery with a recovery period estimated at around three months. Director Tony D'Amico and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini have kept Oosterwolde on their radar, with January potentially offering a second opportunity to complete the deal. Gasperini had already approved the move in summer, and both he and D'Amico continue to monitor the player's rehabilitation. The club has not crossed Oosterwolde off their list and remain interested in the former Parma player once he returns to full fitness. A recent encounter in Istanbul before Roma's match against Fenerbahçe showed the relationship remains intact: Oosterwolde greeted several Roma players and met with Gasperini, the medical staff and the fitness team. Roma are watching the progress of his recovery without urgency but without having closed the door either. If his physical condition provides adequate assurances, January could bring Oosterwolde back to the centre of Roma's transfer activity. The summer halt to negotiations need not mark the end of the story.

Gian Piero Gasperini is already planning Roma's January window despite the club sitting top of the table with a functioning attack led by Dybala and Malen. Between appearances at the Trento Festival and work at Trigoria, Roma are targeting reinforcements in the attacking department, focusing on players currently struggling for minutes at their clubs. A conversation between CEO Galantic and Gasperini at the festival underscores Roma's philosophy of planning winter moves in advance. Roma's priority remains a quality wide forward, with evaluation also ongoing into a more complete profile like Oosterwolde. Four players already tracked in the summer transfer window remain in the club's sights: Gittens, Leweling, Luiz Henrique and Endrick. The common thread linking them is a shortage of regular playing time. Gittens, a Gasperini favourite, has yet to debut in the Premier League. Leweling plays only sporadic minutes at Stuttgart and was excluded from the initial squad list under new national team coach Klopp. Luiz Henrique remains blocked in Russia by bureaucratic issues that have also cost him national team call-ups. Endrick's situation is the most delicate. Mourinho secured him at Real Madrid over the summer, but the Brazilian has virtually disappeared: just four minutes across La Liga and the Champions League combined. That picture of underuse could shift as soon as November, when UEFA will make decisions on the Settlement Agreement, opening new scenarios potentially favourable to Roma heading into the winter market.

Roma's radio stations have focused heavily on the upcoming Como fixture and squad selection as Gasperini's side prepares for a demanding period. Checco Oddo Casano argued that Devyne Rensch, bought for €5 million, could be sold in January for a profit to bring in a stronger left-back in the style of Moreira. "Rensch is a little player who can fit in Roma's squad, but he'll hardly become a new Gosens, a new Zappacosta or a new Wesley," Casano said. "You bought him at a good price and you can make a profit—maybe in January you can sell him and get a stronger player to improve in that area of the pitch." David Rossi noted that Roma's last league defeat came in April when they lost to Inter at San Siro, despite playing a strong first half. He questioned whether Roma are genuinely weaker than Como or whether the psychological pressure of the fixture is one-sided. Gianluca Piacentini acknowledged Como's strength—demonstrating a solid project over the past season and a half—but emphasised that Roma are equally capable, with both teams among the three strongest in the league. Fabio Petruzzi said Roma and Como have shown significant growth over the last 18 months and play the best football in Italy, even better than Inter, though Inter's superior squad makes them favourites. Piero Torri predicted De Roon will start against Como, saying "he seems made specifically to play with Gasperini." Torri noted Lorenzo Pellegrini could play as a midfielder but has never featured in that role under Gasperini and hasn't played a match since April, making an immediate start unlikely. Torri stated: "I'll be called mad, but for me the Como match is harder than the Real Madrid one." Marco Valerio Corsi reported that Bryan Cristante appears to have a lateral knee ligament problem and will miss both Como and Real Madrid, with the length of the absence still unclear. Roberto Pruzzo called De Roon "a proven reliable player" and "a solid used buy," saying he cannot be ignored as an option despite potential fitness concerns over a run of ten consecutive matches. Nando Orsi said De Roon will "challenge the titularity of one of the two sacred monsters of midfield" if he is physically fit, having praised the signing in advance. Stephan El Shaarawy was not mentioned. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso featured prominently in defenders' debate, with Carina suggesting N'Dicka was sidelined too easily and forming the best back three with Balerdi and Hermoso. Pruzzo still favoured Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso as the core defensive line, while Mattioli predicted Balerdi will become immovable once fully integrated into Italian football and Roma's system.

Roma enter a critical period from 11 October that will reveal whether their depth can match their starting XI. Between the away trip to Como and the home fixture against Sassuolo on 7 November, the Giallorossi will play nine matches in 28 days—six in Serie A and three in the UEFA Champions League—at an average of one game every three days. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has built his team around a recognisable core of first-choice players, but that group will no longer be enough. The test will determine whether those who have played less can step up without a noticeable drop in performance. Through the first five matchdays, the numbers reveal Gasperini's structural priorities. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar has not missed a minute in the league; Bryan Cristante has played 424 minutes, Mario Hermoso 419, Paulo Dybala 407 and Gianluca Mancini 392. Eight players have exceeded 300 minutes, forming the nucleus around which the team has built its current lead. Donyell Malen has scored six goals in five league matches and become the technical reference point of the attack, while Dybala has contributed four assists. Cristante, Hermoso and Mancini have provided near-absolute continuity and reliability. The midfield partnership of Cristante and Manu Koné has been the reference pairing, with different but complementary characteristics, while Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli have seen far less action. De Roon knows Gasperini's football intimately and can guarantee balance and reading of play, but has been used mainly in brief spells; Pisilli brings dynamism and runs forward but must prove he can perform when the opponent's quality rises. Matches against Real Madrid, Napoli and Manchester United will inevitably create minutes for both. The defence faces similar pressures. Mancini and Hermoso have been almost untouchable, but the competition behind them is abundant: Leonardo Balerdi, Daniele Ghilardi and Konstantinos Koulierakis must transform from alternatives into genuinely interchangeable options. Ghilardi has already accumulated 142 league minutes, while Koulierakis has been used far less despite the summer investment. In Gasperini's system, where defenders are asked to accept constant individual duels and play far from their goal, changing a centre-back is never a neutral substitution—the player entering must have fully absorbed the line's timing, aggression and mechanics. On the flanks, rotations will be equally unavoidable. Wesley has been heavily used, young Emanuele Lulli has been a major surprise, and Nahuel Molina has collected 216 Serie A minutes with two starts. Devyne Rensch has found the least space but has always proved reliable. In attack, Matías Soulé has already broken down the distinction between starter and reserve with 279 minutes, three starts, two goals and an assist. Rodrigo Mora has 171 league minutes and a goal across two starts but has seen his space diminish. Santiago Castro has played little and never started in the league, while Lorenzo Pellegrini arrives after a long absence from official matches and must regain rhythm and standing. The fixture list permits no simple calculations. Como, Real Madrid, Genoa, Slovan Bratislava, Napoli, Cagliari, Udinese, Manchester United and Sassuolo in less than a month means there are no real matches in which to field eleven reserves and rest everyone else. Gasperini must continually shuffle the cards, retaining six or seven men from the core structure each time and progressively introducing others. Roma has shown a competitive first eleven so far; in the next four weeks it must prove it has something more—sixteen or eighteen players capable of sustaining the same level. If the goal is to stay in the highest reaches of Serie A while being competitive in the Champions League, the quality of alternatives becomes almost as important as that of the starters.

Gian Piero Gasperini has made wing play central to Roma's football, and the club is working to maximise the impact of their flanks ahead of the league's resumption. Wesley, the Brazilian who has been the most brilliant performer in recent months, is recovering from an ankle distortion near the end of summer training and a subsequent muscle problem, and is using three weeks of focused work at Trigoria while sitting out national team duties to return to peak fitness for the match against Como. On the opposite flank, Nahuel Molina is asserting himself with force. The Argentine returned to Serie A with four years at Atlético Madrid and a World Cup winner's medal in his record, and has integrated quickly into Gasperini's system. He has played against both Torino and Inter, showing versatility as a left winger in the 3-4-2-1 formation, cutting infield onto his stronger foot and coming close to goals while already recording one assist. Beyond the summer transfers, a major surprise for Roma is nineteen-year-old Emanuele Lulli. Though he caught Gasperini's attention in the previous season without being a primary Primavera player, the young right-sided defender has carved out important space through pace and attacking boldness. The club is working to secure him with a meeting scheduled soon between the management and his representative to discuss a contract renewal that expires in June. With Devyne Rensch completing the full-back contingent, Gasperini has all the tools to unlock Roma's flanks.

Roma resumed full-squad training at Trigoria on 6 October as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini prepares the squad for the trip to Como on Sunday 11 October at 12:30. Donyell Malen and Wesley, who had been working separately in recent sessions, returned to partial group training, a development Gasperini will monitor closely over the coming days to determine when they can take part in full sessions and what role they might play against Como. The squad's numbers swelled as international players began filtering back from national-team commitments during the break. Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Emanuele Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli, Evan N'Dicka, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Giorgio De Marzi have all returned to Trigoria, allowing Gasperini to step up preparations for the Sinigaglia fixture. Not all players are yet available: Manu Koné is expected back at training from Wednesday. The international break had seen the squad work in reduced numbers, but those early returns have given the coaching staff positive signs ahead of the weekend fixture.

Roma returned to training at Trigoria on Monday afternoon following their international break, with positive developments in the recovery of Donyell Malen and Wesley. Both players completed part of the session with the main squad as they continue their path back to full fitness. The progress is significant as Roma prepare for their trip to Como in five days, though their condition will continue to be assessed throughout the week under Gian Piero Gasperini's supervision. Gasperini has begun welcoming back international players over recent days. Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Ghilardi, Emanuele Lulli, Niccolò Pisilli, Evan N'Dicka, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Giorgio De Marzi have returned to Trigoria. The full squad will progressively return in the coming days as players complete their international commitments. With the Como fixture at Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday, Gasperini will be able to prepare the match in greater detail from this point forward, with particular focus on securing the complete recovery of Malen and Wesley ahead of the weekend.

Roma returned to training this afternoon at Trigoria following a three-day break granted by Gasperini, preparing for Sunday's big match away at Como. Bryan Cristante was absent due to a right-knee problem, while Donyell Malen and Wesley have rejoined the group partially and will be available for the trip to the Sinigaglia. The first international players have also returned to the training ground after more than two weeks away: Mancini, Ghilardi, Lulli, Pisilli, N'Dicka, Koulierakis and De Marzi all back in attendance. The session took place in rainy conditions. Upon arriving on the pitch, Gasperini joked about the weather: "The temperature's changed, eh?". Marten de Roon shared the sentiment, smiling as he said: "I thought it never rained in Rome".