Roma hold firm on Koné valuation as Manchester United withdraw interest

Gian Piero Gasperini cancelled a scheduled Sky Sport interview on the evening of 6 August, the third occasion on which he has declined to speak to media during his time at Roma. The cancellation came after a market meeting at the club's training base at Hensol extended beyond the planned timeframe. CEO Galantic remained at the resort; Ryan Friedkin had left that morning but joined the call remotely alongside director of sport D'Amico, who has been travelling between Milan and Rome to oversee ongoing negotiations. Gasperini is growing impatient over the club's failure to secure a left-sided attacking player, a position the head coach views as critical before the season opens in 17 days. Roma continue to pursue Nusa from RB Leipzig, but the German club's asking price remains around €60 million and they show no willingness to negotiate. The club has also explored Fofana, though his fitness raises concerns. Attempts to discuss Martinelli and Leão have stalled: Martinelli's wage demand of €7 million in sterling is considered prohibitive, and Leão's situation is similarly complicated. The ownership has reaffirmed that its strict salary cap policy will not change. Molina is expected to arrive within days and will join Castro and Koulierakis on the list of new arrivals, but without the left winger the squad remains short of Gasperini's requirements. The meeting left Gasperini unsettled, and he chose silence rather than face media questions. He is unlikely to expect significant late signings and may address the press after Roma's friendly against Brighton, their final pre-season match in England before returning to the capital.

Gian Piero Gasperini requested four players to strengthen Roma's squad for the 2026–27 season, and the club has moved to meet part of that demand. Molina has arrived, and the Lorenzo Pellegrini situation has been resolved. However, Gasperini wants more. With less than twenty days until Roma's competitive return against Fiorentina, the head coach is pushing for immediate action to ensure the team is ready for the campaign ahead. His notable absence from a Sky appearance on the evening before this report fuelled speculation about ongoing negotiations. Transfer director D'Amico, now based in Milan, is prioritising Nusa from Leipzig, who is valued at 60 million euros. The Norwegian has not yet expressed a desire to leave, complicating the pursuit. Fofana stands as an alternative, with Leão further down the list. Roma are also seeking a left-sided winger, with Cacciamani preferred—though Torino's asking price of approximately 20 million euros may force the club to explore other options. The most ambitious target is Endrick from Real Madrid, described as the jewel of the summer window: young, gifted, and destined for stardom, though convincing the Spanish club will require negotiation over the deal's structure. Gasperini awaits his full complement of reinforcements. The clock is ticking as Fiorentina's visit nears, and the Olimpico stands ready—if the squad can be assembled in time.

Radio pundits have weighed in on Roma's transfer activity and squad composition ahead of the new season. Carina told Radio Radio Mattino that Lorenzo Pellegrini's one-year contract renewal was surprising, noting that Gasperini's line had prevailed over the club's initial reluctance to renew either Pellegrini or Paulo Dybala. "I continue to think that Roma still lack a bit of quality," Carina said. "Judgements on the market will ultimately be given based on the profile of the left-sided winger." Pruzzo echoed similar concerns on the same station, observing that recent summer friendlies had shown the same squad as last year. "If a player capable of truly shifting the balance and adding quality doesn't arrive, then it remains a repetitive squad," he said. "Roma has several certainties but the creativity is what it is. To try to raise the level of the attacking department, that type of player who reshuffles the deck is needed." Meanwhile, defender Molina is set to arrive at Roma imminently. Matera reported that the player was in Madrid on 6 August for passport processing and could land in Rome on 7 August, with the aim of having him available at Trigoria on Tuesday when training resumes after the squad's return from Wales. Orsi assessed Molina as a solid acquisition with the experience and characteristics Gasperini has long sought in a right-sided fifth-back role, though cautioned he would not fundamentally reshape the team's balance.