Roma flash briefing: 28 August 2026 — Oosterwolde deal collapse, Piemonte returns, Champions League draw reactions

Roma are targeting Leonardo Balerdi to strengthen their defence as Jan Ziółkowski prepares to leave for Monza. The 27-year-old Argentine centre-back, who rose through Boca Juniors and Borussia Dortmund before establishing himself at Marseille, brings high-level experience and solid international credentials. Balerdi is no conventional stopper of muscle and clearances. His principal strength is his relationship with the ball: he enjoys building from the back, escaping pressure, playing vertical passes and carrying possession out of defence. Last season he ranked among defenders with the highest percentages for completed passes and accuracy in forward play. He is also an aggressive centre-back who prefers to anticipate the striker rather than wait inside the area, and plays with personality and authority — he is comfortable in a three-man defence, where his ability to step up against an attacker plays to his strengths. Yet his asset is also his liability. Balerdi's technical confidence sometimes leads him to attempt one more action than necessary. When an exit goes wrong or he loses position, the error can be costly. This happened repeatedly at Marseille, and the alternation between excellent displays and occasional lapses drew criticism and whistles from the Vélodrome crowd. In short: he is not a faultless defender, but a modern, technical and courageous centre-back. If he can limit his distractions, he can be a player of significant calibre. A right calf injury in March was followed by another in June that forced him to withdraw from Argentina's Copa América squad. The problem appeared resolved during pre-season when he returned to regular action, but in August he felt fresh calf pain and missed Marseille's opening league match against Strasbourg. This does not necessarily signal a fragile player, but it is an aspect Roma will need to examine carefully during medical checks. Compared to Ziółkowski, Balerdi would represent a clear shift: less prospect of future development, but far more immediate experience. He would arrive ready from the start, with quality on the ball and commanding presence.

Roma have agreed personal terms with Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi and are pushing to complete the deal, with the French club accepting a loan with a mandatory purchase option under certain conditions. The move comes after Jan Ziółkowski's departure on loan to Monza and Roma's pursuit of alternative defensive reinforcements. With Nottingham Forest blocking a move for Morato, the club accelerated their pursuit of Balerdi on 28 August. The Argentine centre-back, born in 1999 and currently at Marseille, emerged as the primary target to strengthen the defence. Roma have put forward a proposal involving a loan with a right to buy that becomes an obligation upon the occurrence of specific conditions. According to reports, the formula is favoured by all parties involved. Negotiations between Roma and Marseille continued throughout the day as both clubs worked to finalise the terms. Balerdi is keen to join Roma, and there is confidence the operation can be completed in the coming hours.

Roma have targeted Marseille defender Balerdi as their next defensive reinforcement this summer. The club has already tabled an opening offer structured as a loan with a right of purchase that can convert to an obligation under certain conditions. Marseille prefer a permanent sale, but negotiations are ongoing and Roma are pressing hard. Bareldi was a target for Roma last season and now offers an opportunity to fill the gap left by Jan Ziółkowski, who will join Monza on loan with a purchase option set at €18 million. Roma have ended their pursuit of Morato from Nottingham, with the gap between the clubs too wide to bridge.

Roma's pursuit of a left-sided attacking midfielder dominates transfer discussion across Rome radio as the summer window approaches its final days. Commentators on Tele Radio Stereo, Rete Sport and Radio Radio debate whether Gasperini will land his primary target—a wide forward he has been seeking for 15 months—or be forced into a late compromise. Lorenzo Pes stated: "Between Gittens and Fofana, the first is preferred especially by the coach. As long as there is time to do it, Roma will try to construct the operation with Chelsea. The English club has not yet given openings, but Roma will continue to push. If it becomes clear there will be no margin, then we will go to Fofana. The agreement there you had already found. But Gittens has the financial and technical favour, and for this remains the favourite. The two clubs have good relations." Pes added that Gittens would arrive on loan if a deal is struck in the final hours of the market. Alessio Nardo expressed frustration at the extended delay. "Surreal this situation. Gasperini has been asking for this attacking winger profile for 15 months. The important thing is not to find ourselves taking the Zaragoza of the moment on the last day of the market. You must take someone strong, an added starter and not the last leftover that happens to you. You are still in serious delay—we are at the end of a very long transfer campaign and you are still missing that player there. It has become a novel. It would be grotesque to end up with the short end of the stick, and even more demoralizing to take the Zaragoza of the moment at the last." Gianluca Piacentini noted that Roma correctly declined to sign Oosterwolde and that Gasperini likely prefers a player with different physical characteristics than Mora, making Fofana an option—though Gittens's loan structure makes him likely to arrive only in the final window hours if at all. Francesca Ferrazza reported that Roma has neither confirmed nor denied interest in Kessié or Fofana, describing the situation as "very very complicated" and dependent on other pieces falling into place. She also noted that Gasperini's reaction to El Aynaoui's approach in training "does not drive him crazy," raising questions about the winger's future. Piero Torri suggested Kessié's agent approached Roma as leverage to accelerate Juventus's interest, implying Roma is being used in a negotiating game. Roberto Pruzzo expressed scepticism about Kessié's fit for Serie A and backed the idea of selling El Aynaoui if Roma can bring in a player with different strengths. He predicted a 2–0 Lecce result, while Nando Orsi suggested De Roon as an unconventional alternative despite his 35 years and predicted a draw. Checco Oddo Casano warned Roma could be left empty-handed if decisions do not come before Friday and the weekend fixture congestion dilutes focus. The club remains without a fifth defender and a left-sided midfielder as the window enters its final stretch.

Roma have ended negotiations for Jayden Oosterwolde after the left-back failed to pass medical checks, forcing director Tony D'Amico to identify an alternative defensive reinforcement. The player had arrived in Rome and begun his medical examination with an agreement in principle already in place with Fenerbahçe, but clinical assessments prompted Roma to request a substantial revision of the deal's structure and stronger guarantees. Those discussions yielded no resolution, and the transfer is now considered dead. Roma are now pursuing Felipe Rodrigues da Silva, known as Morato, a 25-year-old Brazilian left-footer currently at Nottingham Forest. The club sees him as a solution to the left-sided defensive need that Oosterwolde was meant to address. Morato can operate as a centre-back or on the left side of the defence, giving Gasperini tactical flexibility—a key requirement for Roma's system. He brings Premier League experience and a long spell at Benfica before joining Nottingham Forest, which allows him to understand the intensity of English football. Roma must now determine Nottingham Forest's financial demands and what formula D'Amico can propose to bring the Brazilian to the club. The Oosterwolde deal had appeared nearly complete; Roma's doubts about the 2001-born player's physical condition had initially pushed the club to seek a deeper rework of the agreement's terms, but negotiations failed to reach an acceptable outcome.

Roma's pursuit of a left-winger has reached its final phase with two main contenders in the frame. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens of Chelsea appears to have a slight edge over Malick Fofana of Lyon, who faces strict UEFA financial restrictions. Chelsea may be willing to loan Gittens, whereas Lyon is holding firm on a fee of over €30 million. Meanwhile, Fofana has attracted interest from Hull City following Lyon's Champions League elimination. The left-wing search has forced Roma to rethink their options elsewhere. With Jayden Oosterwolde's move to Turkey now off and Nicolò Morato not fully convincing, the club has turned attention to Romain Aguerd of Marseille as a defensive prospect. In the meantime, the departure of Robinio Vaz to Hull City has progressed significantly, with Roma and Hull having reached agreement yesterday and an important meeting between the English club and Vaz's representatives scheduled for today to finalise terms on the player's side. Additional departures are also under way. Jan Ziółkowski is moving to Monza on loan with a purchase option set at €18 million. Roma have also agreed terms with Inter for eighteen-year-old midfielder Vukoje in a deal worth €1.5 million plus bonuses. Neil El Aynaoui could yet depart in the final four days of the window.

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.

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference on Sunday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's second Serie A fixture of the season at Lecce on Monday at 20.45. The appointment comes after Roma's convincing opening victory against Fiorentina. Gasperini faces few selection dilemmas for the trip to Puglia. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable, though Nahuel Molina is set to return and will compete with Lulli for a place in the side. In midfield, Rodrigo Mora holds the advantage over Matías Soulé to play in the trequarti role behind Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala.

Roma return to the Champions League after eight years with a curious contradiction: a squad seasoned in European competition but largely inexperienced in the continent's top tier. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the giallorossi have navigated knockout stages, difficult away trips and high-pressure evenings in recent seasons, yet a significant portion of the squad presents as Champions League debutants when their record in the competition itself is examined. The drawn opponents—Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, Sporting, Lille, Fenerbahçe, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Atene—underscore the magnitude of the step up. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen stand as the principal points of reference, each with around 50 Champions League appearances. Behind them Nahuel Molina brings roughly 40 such matches from his time at Atlético Madrid, followed by Mario Hermoso, equally accustomed to the highest level of European football. The picture shifts sharply thereafter. Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini have played in the Champions League, though Roma's last participation dates back to the 2018–19 season. Other squad members have sampled the competition only briefly, while a substantial portion will encounter it for the first time. Key players such as Manu Koné, Wesley, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Niccolò Pisilli and Santiago Castro have either never played it or collected minimal appearances. Yet Roma should not be labelled a European-inexperienced side. The club built a genuine identity in the cups: Cristante, Pellegrini, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and the core nucleus lived through the Conference League triumph in 2022, the Europa League final of 2023 and numerous knockout campaigns. Dybala, Evan N'Dicka, Koné, Pisilli and Matías Soulé have progressively accumulated international experience outside the Champions League but in matches where pressure, emotional control and reading momentum matter most. Here lies the true uncertainty: Roma possesses European aptitude but lacks a true Champions League identity. Errors recoverable in Europa League risk becoming instant goals against Real Madrid and PSG. The new League Phase format demands Gasperini navigate eight different fixtures without building a classic group-stage rhythm. The task ahead is not to teach Roma what a European night means, but to elevate what they have learned over five years.

Roma have agreed personal terms with Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi and are pushing to complete the deal, with the French club accepting a loan with a mandatory purchase option under certain conditions. The move comes after Jan Ziółkowski's departure on loan to Monza and Roma's pursuit of alternative defensive reinforcements. With Nottingham Forest blocking a move for Morato, the club accelerated their pursuit of Balerdi on 28 August. The Argentine centre-back, born in 1999 and currently at Marseille, emerged as the primary target to strengthen the defence. Roma have put forward a proposal involving a loan with a right to buy that becomes an obligation upon the occurrence of specific conditions. According to reports, the formula is favoured by all parties involved. Negotiations between Roma and Marseille continued throughout the day as both clubs worked to finalise the terms. Balerdi is keen to join Roma, and there is confidence the operation can be completed in the coming hours.

Roma have targeted Marseille defender Balerdi as their next defensive reinforcement this summer. The club has already tabled an opening offer structured as a loan with a right of purchase that can convert to an obligation under certain conditions. Marseille prefer a permanent sale, but negotiations are ongoing and Roma are pressing hard. Bareldi was a target for Roma last season and now offers an opportunity to fill the gap left by Jan Ziółkowski, who will join Monza on loan with a purchase option set at €18 million. Roma have ended their pursuit of Morato from Nottingham, with the gap between the clubs too wide to bridge.

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.