Roma hunting free agents after Sancho ruled out; Leweling-type winger sought

Atalanta sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli confirmed that Marten de Roon requested a move to Roma during the transfer window that has just closed. Speaking at a press conference to present Frank Kessié, Giuntoli said: "When a player asks to leave, you have to listen to him. He asked us to go to Roma and we threw ourselves at Kessié." De Roon joined Roma's squad this summer after spending the previous season with Atalanta. Giuntoli explained Atalanta's approach to the midfielder's departure: "We're sorry, but we have to turn the page and move forward. Kessié is a player with personality who can help us in this new Atalanta." The signing of Kessié was presented as the club's solution to replacing the departing midfielder.

Zeki Çelik's departure this summer has proven beneficial for Roma, with the Turkish defender struggling at his new club while the Giallorossi have found capable alternatives. Çelik, who had agreed a renewal with Roma before changing his mind to join another side, has posted uninspiring numbers in his opening matches. Against Milan yesterday he recorded zero successful crosses, matching the same figure across his previous two outings against Parma and Frosinone. Social media criticism has already mounted, with fans questioning the absence of a 'Çelik cam'—a reference to a video DAZN produced weeks earlier following his first friendly appearance. His exit has cleared the path for Emanuele Lulli, who has become integral to Gasperini's setup. Initially withdrawn from the transfer market, Lulli started in all three of Roma's opening matches and has impressed the coaching staff considerably. Equally significant is the emergence of Nahuel Molina, the Argentine fullback who is continuing to build his fitness following Argentina's run to the World Cup final. Against Atalanta, Molina made a decisive 36-minute appearance, creating multiple dangerous situations and setting up a header from Santiago Castro that struck the crossbar. He recorded 100 per cent of tackles won and 90 per cent pass accuracy. Roma's first Champions League fixture arrives Thursday against Feyenoord, with Molina and Lulli in direct competition for the fullback berth. Molina's experience in high-pressure stadiums should serve him well as Roma prepare for what the article describes as an extremely hostile environment.

Roma are prioritising the January transfer window over free-agent signings to strengthen their squad, with left-back Jayden Oosterwolde and forward Endrick among their targets. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma had agreed a €17 million deal with Oosterwolde but pulled out after medicals revealed his injury was more severe than initially expected. However, if he recovers in the coming months, both parties are expected to resume negotiations. Roma are also pursuing attacking reinforcements alongside Oosterwolde, with Endrick and Luiz Henrique identified as priorities. Per Corriere dello Sport, the Real Madrid forward has reportedly told Wesley and Brazilian teammates that a move to Rome could materialise in January. Roma and AC Milan both attempted to persuade Real Madrid to loan out Endrick, but José Mourinho refused to release him. The situation could change if Endrick fails to secure regular playing time or underperforms, potentially opening the door in coming months. Milan subsequently signed Omari Hutchison after missing out on their own targets. Roma's continued focus on Oosterwolde despite their withdrawal suggests eventual acquisition remains likely. The club has free-agent left-back options available but shows no interest in pursuing them, indicating they are not desperate for defensive reinforcements. With Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala performing well in attacking roles, Roma appear reluctant to add another left-footed forward at this stage.

Gian Piero Gasperini has committed firmly to Roma ahead of the match against Atalanta, saying he is emotionally invested in the club despite transfer speculation. At his pre-match press conference, the head coach rejected suggestions that Roma would pursue free agents to fill gaps at left-back, specifically addressing rumours of interest in Zinchenko and Guerreiro. "I'm in love with this Roma, this is an environment where you enjoy coming to," Gasperini said. "Regardless of results, ours is a very healthy environment." On the transfer market: "I believe it's difficult to draw from the free-agent market. I don't know what the possibilities might be, but I wouldn't count on it much." Gasperini also confirmed that Salah-Eddine has no future at the club after rejecting multiple opportunities. "He's had quite a few chances and turned them down. I've already made my choices and he doesn't fit into our plans," the coach explained. On his personal freedom, he added: "I feel free to socialise with whoever I want." Sarri, managing the visiting Atalanta side, praised Roma during the conference and will be without two players for the match at the Olimpico.

Paulo Dybala has completed a full training session at Trigoria after recovering from a muscle problem sustained earlier in the week, clearing the way for Roma's Champions League campaign to begin. The forward had been managing reduced workloads in recent days but has now overcome the issue and rejoined the squad for the complete session under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Roma's long-awaited return to the Champions League League Phase will begin on Thursday 10 September at 18:45 with a fixture away to Fenerbahce at Stadio Sukru Saracoglu in Istanbul. The club has announced all operational details for supporters planning to travel to Turkey for the match. When asked about squad depth and potential recruitment, Gasperini offered a firm assessment of Roma's options. "Dybala hasn't got anything serious but he needs to feel comfortable playing," Gasperini said on Sky Sport. "As for free agents — it's difficult, I don't know what opportunities there might be, I don't think about it much, I wouldn't rely on it too heavily." Regarding player Salah-Eddine, Gasperini added: "He's had several opportunities that he refused. As far as Roma is concerned, I made some choices; he didn't fit in and doesn't fit into Roma's plans." Former Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini praised Gasperini's work with the squad in comments on Amore Giallorosso. Singling out Donyell Malen as the driving force, Sabatini said: "Every team that wants to win needs a hero, a leader, and Roma has one — Malen is a sensational player who drags the team along and frightens opponents. Roma had Totti, Juventus had Platini, Milan in my day had Rivera, Liedholm's Roma had Falcao." He also credited Gasperini with restoring Malen to his most effective position. "Malen came from a difficult spell, even at Aston Villa he seemed sidelined, playing out wide. Gasperini was very good at giving him back his role, bringing him closer to goal, and today his performance is truly supernatural." Meanwhile, the article also reports that the proposed new stadium at Pietralata has gained momentum in September, with 15 favourable opinions received so far out of 50 entities required to approve the project through the Services Conference process.

Gian Piero Gasperini has closed the door on Anass Salah-Eddine's involvement at Roma, stating the midfielder will not feature in the club's plans. Speaking in a press conference, Gasperini said: "Salah-Eddine has had three or four opportunities that he has refused. As far as Roma is concerned, I have already made my choices. He did not fit and does not fit into Roma's plans." The Moroccan, returning from a loan spell at PSV, is now expected to remain at Trigoria as a separated player at least until January. Roma's search for a backup left-sided midfielder to partner Wesley proved unsuccessful throughout the summer window. The club pursued several targets without completing any deal: Cacciamani remained unavailable from Torino, Udogie stayed at Tottenham with De Zerbi, and a late attempt to revisit Fortini yielded no result. Gasperini appears intent on relying solely on Wesley, though he signalled openness to adapting alternatives including Rensch, Lulli and Molina to the left flank. Roma also explored the free-agent market but Gasperini was cautious, stating: "Free agents? I think it is difficult. I don't know what opportunities might exist, but I don't think so. I wouldn't count on it." Gasperini acknowledged a secondary option, adding: "Soulé has done it, he played in that role under Ranieri, more as an outside player than a striker. I prefer him further forward, but if necessary he can play wide."