Roma eye Brandt on free transfer as Malen connection offers added appeal

Franck Kessié's future remains undecided as Juventus continue negotiations with the midfielder, but no final agreement has been reached between player and club. The talks are ongoing and incomplete, leaving space for other interested parties to remain in contention. Roma, under Gasperini, are actively monitoring developments and have maintained contact with Kessié. The giallorossi kept their channels open today and remain concretely in the running. Because Kessié has not yet made a decision, the pursuit remains wide open; Juventus continue their work, but Roma's involvement suggests the race for the midfielder is far from settled.

Roma are close to securing Leonardo Balerdi from Olympique Marseille, with the club planning the Argentine defender's travel and medical examinations for 29 August ahead of his contract signing. The deal, accelerated in recent hours, involves Balerdi joining on loan with an obligation to buy dependent on specified conditions. According to Nicolò Schira, intermediary Gabriele Giuffrida has played a key role in moving the transfer forward, with only final details on the buyout clause's triggering conditions left to resolve. The proposed contract structure offers Balerdi a one-year deal plus four further years, potentially keeping him at Roma until 2031. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is awaiting the arrival of the 1999-born centre-back to strengthen the defence with international experience and aggressive, possession-based qualities suited to Roma's tactical approach. The move came after the collapse of an attempt to sign Jayden Oosterwolde, which fell through following medical concerns. Sporting director Tony D'Amico moved quickly to find an alternative reinforcement for the back line.

Hull City have entered the race for Lyon winger Malick Fofana with a €35 million offer for the Belgian, threatening to derail Roma's long-standing interest in the player. The English club have already held direct talks with Fofana to outline their project, and are now awaiting his response before moving to finalise the deal. Hull City are simultaneously pursuing a loan move with a purchase option for Roma's Robinio Vaz on the same Lyon-Roma axis. Roma had reached personal terms with Fofana in recent weeks and the player had expressed his willingness to join the club. However, the Giallorossi have failed to follow up their interest with a concrete offer to Lyon in recent days, leaving the door open for competitors. Gian Piero Gasperini has requested an attacking winger, and sporting director Tony D'Amico is evaluating alternative options as well. The central issue is the transfer structure: Lyon require a permanent sale and are unwilling to let Fofana leave on loan, a formula that would have allowed Roma to operate more flexibly within their tight end-of-window budget. Hull City, by contrast, have tabled a bid for an outright purchase. Roma face mounting pressure to decide whether to return with a serious assault on the deal or concede ground to their competitors as the transfer deadline approaches.

Roma prepare for Monday's trip to Lecce with three days to go, with Gian Piero Gasperini having almost the full squad available. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini are out; Rensch did not train today and will attempt to recover for the Atalanta fixture on 5 September at 20:45. Robinio Vaz also missed training as a precaution, with his move to Hull City on an incoming loan (€2 million with a €30 million purchase option) increasingly likely. Nahuel Molina has recovered fully and will compete with Lulli for the right-wing spot, while Wesley is ready on the opposite flank. The midfield sees a duel between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé for a trequartista role, with Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala paired up front. Roma seek their second consecutive victory.

Roma travel to Lecce on Monday 31 August at 18:30 for the second round of Serie A 2026–27, aiming to build on a commanding 4–0 opening-day victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has injury concerns ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Via del Mare: Devyne Rensch is sidelined with a strain to the left thigh flexor, and Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a right thigh rectus femoris injury. Gasperini is expected to field a settled defensive shape with Mile Svilar in goal and a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina's availability is being assessed; if he cannot play, Giorgio De Marzi will step in after an impressive display against Fiorentina. Wesley continues at left wing-back. Bryan Cristante is assured of his midfield place alongside Manu Koné. In the attacking third, the main selection question concerns Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé; Mora started against Fiorentina and impressed, forcing a good save from De Gea, while Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen are primed to lead the line. Malen was the star of Roma's opening fixture, scoring three goals and supplying three assists against Fiorentina, while Dybala also contributed three assists. Niccolò Pisilli rounded off the rout with Roma's fourth goal. The visitors hold a commanding historical record: across 42 meetings with Lecce, Roma have won 29, drawn 11 and lost only twice. The clubs last met in the 2025–26 season, when Roma won 1–0 at home through Robinio Vaz. Lecce arrive after an away victory over Venezia (2–0, goals from Gorter and Tiago Gabriel) and will play in a 4–3–3 formation under manager Eusebio Di Francesco. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN, Sky Sport and NOW. Official team sheets will be released approximately one hour before kickoff.

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini will address the media on Sunday at 13:30, the day before the club's second Serie A fixture of the season away at Lecce on Monday at 18:30. The appointment comes after Roma's convincing opening victory against Fiorentina. Gasperini faces few selection dilemmas ahead of the Lecce match. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable, but Nahuel Molina has recovered and will compete with Lulli for a place in the squad. On the attacking midfield line, Rodrigo Mora is favoured over Matías Soulé to operate behind forwards Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala.