Roma eye Scamacca as Malen's understudy

Roma are maintaining contact with Endrick's representatives over a potential move for the Brazilian forward, but negotiations remain difficult. The attacker is keen to fight for playing time at Real Madrid at least until January despite recent signings made by Madrid. Roma have indicated to Endrick's camp that they are ready to make a concrete attempt to secure a loan deal should the player reconsider his position, a scenario he already explored last season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Endrick as one of his primary targets to strengthen the attack, particularly given his versatility in the forward line. However, competition for his signature is significant, with several Premier League clubs also tracking the Brazilian. For now, the situation remains in limbo. Endrick has not yet opened the door to another loan move, though Roma are poised to act immediately if an opening emerges in the coming weeks.

Lorenzo Pellegrini has completed his medical examination at the Roma Campus on 8 August and signed a contract renewal with the club following a 38-day negotiation period. The midfielder accepted a significant salary reduction, moving from 6 million euros to a base of 2.5 million euros plus performance bonuses under an annual agreement. Pellegrini's decision to remain came despite interest from Juventus and Besiktas, driven by his attachment to Roma and a desire to be part of the club's centenary year, with discussions over a more substantial extension deferred to June. Gasperini pushed forcefully to retain Pellegrini, viewing him as essential both for leadership and on-pitch contribution. The renewal provides a crucial administrative advantage for Roma's UEFA squad registration, given Pellegrini's academy status at the club since 2005. The midfielder had undergone a medical check in Finland in early June following physical concerns that required dedicated rehabilitation work over the summer break.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is set to renew his Roma contract today, with medical checks and signing scheduled for 8 August. The club also expects to confirm the arrival of Nahuel Molina. However, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini remains focused on securing an attacking left winger, the marquee piece of the transfer window. The pursuit of Antonio Nusa has grown complicated, prompting director D'Amico to explore alternatives including Fofana of Lyon and Gittens of Chelsea. Roma is simultaneously working to strengthen the left-back position as a deputy to Wesley. Gasperini wants a young prospect with potential, and D'Amico is negotiating with Torino for Alessio Cacciamani, though the Serie A club is demanding €20 million. Fiorentina's Nicolò Fortini is being evaluated as a backup option. The window remains active as Roma attempts to complete its recruitment objectives before the season progresses.

Roma completed their pre-season camp in England on 8 August with a final friendly against Brighton, kicking off at 16:00 Italian time. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini used the match to test his tactical setup and resolve remaining selection questions for the attacking line, with competition between Malen, Castro, Dybala and Soulé, while also assessing midfield options including Cristante and El Aynaoui. Lorenzo Pellegrini underwent medical examinations at Campus Biomedico on the morning of 8 August to formalise a one-year contract extension worth 2.5 million euros plus bonuses. The renewal represents significant stability for Roma's midfield and precedes his return to full training with the squad from the following week. Pellegrini, an academy product and long-serving captain, has been central to the club's plans under Gasperini's leadership as preparations continue for the 2026–27 season.

Roma face Brighton this afternoon at 15:00 local time (16:00 Italian time, live on DAZN) in their most demanding fixture of their British pre-season tour. The match will be Roma's first outing in the new white kit, unveiled in recent days and well received by supporters. Gasperini will use the Brighton encounter to assess his squad's development ahead of the new season. Roma's core squad remains largely unchanged from last season, with the additions of Castro and Koulierakis competing for minutes alongside Hermoso and Malen in the early pecking order. Donyell Malen returns to action after illness and will be hunting his first goal of the summer. The side has yet to keep a clean sheet in pre-season friendlies, though Gasperini is without key midfield personnel for this stretch. Roma continue to pursue Molina and a left-footed left-back—reported as the "Mister X"—to bolster their options. Gasperini's cautious starts in summer pre-season are well documented, and this match will provide a clearer picture of defensive solidity, an area that has troubled Roma across their recent warm-up games.

Roma conclude their pre-season tour of Britain at the Amex Stadium today at 16:00 (15:00 local time) against Brighton, managed by Hürzeler. Gian Piero Gasperini intends to use the fixture as a full dress rehearsal for the season ahead, planning to field his strongest XI with considerable minutes. The squad departed their Vale Resort base in Wales yesterday morning after a final training session, flying from Cardiff airport at approximately 17:40 to Gatwick before travelling by coach to Brighton's south coast venue. Roma and Brighton last met in the Europa League in March 2024 when Daniele De Rossi managed Roma. The giallorossi won the first leg 4–0 at the Olimpico, then lost the return fixture 1–0 at the Amex—a result that proved inconsequential to the tie. Gasperini has indicated he will rotate little from the previous friendlies, expecting his players to build momentum ahead of the season. In attack, an alternating pairing of Castro and Malen is anticipated, continuing to develop confidence in the Argentine striker and give the Dutch forward opportunities after recent illness forced him into individual training. Hermoso is expected to return to the defence. Bryan Cristante spoke to Sky Sport before departing Wales: "The Champions League? There's huge desire because we'd come close a few times over recent seasons, but we've finally managed to return after a really strong campaign. We can't wait to start. The clash with Dybala? That wasn't a dispute between me and him—it concerned other things. A second and it was done. Pellegrini? He updates us, we can't wait to see him back here and we're waiting for him." Roma's next pre-season fixture is against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August.

AS Roma have completed the signing of Nahuel Molina from Atlético Madrid on a right-back role. The transfer package is worth €13 million in fixed fees, with a further €4 million available in performance bonuses. Molina has signed a contract until 30 June 2030. The Argentine's arrival will have a measurable impact on Roma's financial statements for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2027. The amortisation charge for the 2026-27 season is expected to be €3.25 million, based on the contract length. Molina will earn €2.8 million net per season (including bonuses), equivalent to €5.18 million gross. Combined with the amortisation cost, the total expense for Molina on Roma's 2026-27 accounts is projected at €8.43 million. The move follows Roma's earlier summer business involving Atlético Madrid and Bologna, which saw Artem Dovbyk arrive at the club. Molina's signing represents a continued investment in the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Roma defeated Newport 4–1 in a pre-season friendly in Wales, with Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk combining in attack. Mario Hermoso opened the scoring from a regista role in the 37th minute before Castro converted a penalty kick in the second half. Koulierakis added a third from a Dybala assist, and Matías Soulé finished with a curling strike; Newport scored a consolation goal. Donyell Malen was absent due to fever. Ryan Friedkin attended the match and will weigh in on ongoing transfer activity. Roma's pursuit of Feyenoord winger Read has stalled after the Dutch club raised their asking price to over €30 million overnight on Monday. The demand prompted the club to shift focus to Atlético Madrid's Molina, with Roma lodging an offer of approximately €17 million (including bonuses). Molina, a former Udinese player, currently earns €2.8 million annually in Spain. Other defensive targets remain under consideration, including Savona and Fresneda, though funds saved on Read may be redirected to securing an additional winger alongside Molina. Roma has narrowed Torino's valuation for Cacciamani and a decisive meeting with the Turin club is scheduled today. The club also plans a final push for Nusa, with Lyon midfielder Fofana lined up as a backup option if that approach fails.

Roma's attacking department has been decimated ahead of the 2026–27 season, with coach Gian Piero Gasperini now overseeing just five senior forwards for the role — down from ten options at the end of January. The remaining quartet consists of Donyell Malen, Paulo Dybala, Matías Soulé, and Robinio Vaz, with young prospect Arena also available. The collapse mirrors Gasperini's repeated public calls for investment in attack. Speaking exactly a year ago on 4 August 2025 at the English national team's St. George Park facility in Burton Upon Trent, Gasperini outlined his philosophy: "It concerns all clubs that spend large sums on attackers. The offensive department is the most sought after and most expensive. Teams with strong attacking players are more competitive." That same summer, Roma pursued Fabio Silva and Jadon Sancho without success, settling on a loan move for Romain Bailey as a last-minute solution. By the end of 2025, Roma had assembled eight attacking options — Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Bailey, Soulé, Baldanzi, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Lorenzo Pellegrini — to fill three positions in Gasperini's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. The winter transfer window swelled that number to ten through the departures of Bailey and Baldanzi and the arrivals of Malen, Vaz, Bryan Zaragoza, and Lorenzo Venturino. However, only Malen performed consistently. With just twenty days until the league campaign begins, Roma faces a critical shortage. The club is reportedly making another approach for Nusa and preparing a move for Fofana to bolster the depleted ranks.

Evan Ferguson could return to Italian football. The 21-year-old Irish striker, currently sidelined by an ankle injury sustained in January, spent time on loan at Roma last season but has not featured since. According to Football Insider, Torino have opened talks with Brighton to sign Ferguson, with the English club open to discussing his departure. Ferguson's Roma spell was disappointing and cut short by injury. He arrived on loan from Brighton during the 2025–26 season but struggled to make an impact before the ankle problem ended his time at the Stadio Olimpico. Torino have identified him as an attacking reinforcement, in a move that coincides with Roma's own interest in acquiring Torino's Cacciamani.

Roma have renewed Lorenzo Pellegrini's contract, with the official announcement expected in the coming hours. Gasperini will reunite with the midfielder on his return to Trigoria following the pre-season training camp in Wales and England. On the transfer front, Roma are pursuing left-wing reinforcements with Nusa and Fofana among the primary targets. Cacciamani of Torino remains the preferred candidate for that role, though Torino owner Cairo is resisting negotiations; Roma could make a move in the coming hours. Attention on Nusa has intensified, with Arsenal reportedly ready to rival Roma for the Norwegian winger following Vinicius's contract renewal at Real Madrid. Endrick continues to be Roma's dream for attack; the Brazilian is leaving Real Madrid in search of playing time and Gasperini rates him highly, but a deal can only accelerate in the closing days of the market or if Matías Soulé departs. Evan Ferguson, the 21-year-old Irish forward on loan from Brighton, could return to Italy, with Torino reportedly tracking him after an injury-plagued season at Roma. Jonathan Rowe, the former Marseille attacker previously linked to Roma, is valued by Bologna at approximately €40 million and has been placed back in the club's sights. Manu Koné is unlikely to leave for Manchester United, as manager Carrick does not view him as a priority.

Chris Smalling, the former Roma and England defender now with Saudi club Al-Fayha, has spoken warmly of José Mourinho's leadership during their time together at the Giallorossi. Smalling, who left Roma in 2024 after five years at the club, played under Mourinho at both Manchester United and Roma, and credits the Portuguese manager with instilling trust and passion in his squad. Smalling told the BBC that Mourinho's influence extended beyond tactical acumen. "Sia allo United che alla Roma, José mi schierava nella maggior parte delle partite perché avevamo un buon rapporto e si fidava di me," Smalling recalled, explaining how Mourinho earned the confidence of experienced players. "È molto facile influenzare i giocatori più giovani, ma la bellezza di Sir Alex Ferguson e di José sta nel fatto che sono riusciti a creare quella fiducia nei giocatori più esperti. Molti allenatori sanno fare dei buoni discorsi alla squadra, ma se guardi qualcuno negli occhi, vedi la passione e la vera convinzione che 'succederà', i giocatori più esperti lo seguono e gli altri si impegnano al massimo. Questa è la bellezza degli allenatori di alto livello." Smalling's assessment underscores Mourinho's ability to motivate players through force of personality and genuine conviction, qualities the defender regards as the hallmark of elite coaching.