Roma explore Udogie deal as left-back target; defensive exit may be required

Rodrigo Mora is suffering as negotiations between Roma and Porto over his transfer remain stalled, according to the player's lawyer Luis Henrique. Speaking to Fabrizio Romano, Henrique said: "Vi assicuro che il ragazzo sta soffrendo per questa situazione. Non vorrei essere in lui" (I assure you the boy is suffering in this situation. I wouldn't want to be in his position). He added that Mora wants to fight and play but has found himself as the third choice, and that "L'operazione alle condizioni che vuole il Porto è praticamente impossibile, solo Mendes può ottenere 59 milioni per una riserva" (The operation under Porto's conditions is practically impossible; only Mendes could get 59 million for a substitute). Roma are not letting go of the Portuguese teenager and will hold fresh talks with Porto in the coming hours to unlock the deal. The 2007-born Mora is pushing for the transfer, with his entourage and family also pressuring the club. However, Roma and Porto have yet to reach an agreement. The Portuguese club want simpler conditions for a buyout obligation to trigger and are waiting for Roma to make a move forward. Roma director D'Amico is working to break the deadlock. Should the Mora deal collapse, the club are considering Malick Fofana of Lyon as an alternative.

Rodrigo Mora has not wavered in his desire to sign for Roma, with the club continuing negotiations behind the scenes and maintaining confidence in bringing the deal to completion. Contacts have continued in recent days as Roma, represented by D'Amico, work to finalise the formula, clauses and key details required to establish the operation's feasibility. Mora's family and entourage are pressing for the move to the Italian capital, viewing Roma as the ideal environment for the young talent's development. Gasperini has a strong admiration for Mora and has been consistently pushing for his arrival in the capital. According to Fabrizio Romano, Roma remain actively engaged in the pursuit, keeping the prospect alive despite the complexity of negotiations. The signing would represent a significant addition to the squad, with Gasperini's backing underscoring the club's belief in the player's potential.

Radio commentators have offered sharp assessments of Roma's summer transfer activity. Piero Torri told Radio Manà Manà that Roma has made poor decisions in the market, spending €90 million without selling anyone. He singled out Çelik and Summerville as problematic acquisitions, and questioned the logic of signing a centre-forward when three were already at the club—citing Castro as an unnecessary purchase. He also criticised the €13 million outlay for a sixth defender as lacking strategic sense. "With €90 million you've taken two reserves and you haven't filled the gaps," Torri said. Alessandro Santoro noted that Gasperini described Roma as a diesel engine—a contrast to last season—in a calm pre-match conversation before the Trastevere fixture. Santoro added that Koulierakis was not a necessary signing and that speculation about Ziolkowski moving to Saudi Arabia came to nothing. Stefano Petrucci offered a different angle, suggesting that Gasperini has now identified the core problem at Roma—and that it was not sporting director Massara. "Gasperini has understood what the real problem at Roma is and it wasn't Massara: now with D'Amico he is more at ease, but he is very worried about the situation," Petrucci said.