Roma in a hurry: Mora deal stalls, Gasperini eyes Fofana on the left

Roma has resumed its interest in Christopher Nkunku of Milan after negotiations over Rodrigo Mora reached an impasse, with the club exploring a swap involving Matías Soulé. Roma's sporting director D'Amico remains committed to signing Mora on his own terms: €8 million for a loan with a fee, plus €42 million for an optional purchase clause attached to a five-year contract the Portuguese midfielder has already accepted. D'Amico will not shift on the structure despite concerns from Benfica president Villas-Boas. A definitive answer from Mora's side is expected in the coming hours. With coach Gian Piero Gasperini pushing for reinforcements, D'Amico has begun gathering fresh information on Nkunku, whose annual salary of €5 million net remains a financial strain on Roma's budget. A potential exchange involving Soulé could help bridge the gap, though the wages remain the primary obstacle. The uncertainty over Mora has created a ripple effect on Roma's pursuit of left-back targets, slowing talks for Tottenham's Udogie, Torino's Cacciamani, and Inter's Luis Henrique—the latter representing the most advanced negotiation of the three.

Negotiations between Roma and Porto over Portuguese winger Rodrigo Mora have hit a standstill. After an agreement appeared complete on Tuesday evening — involving a paid loan with a conditional obligation to buy for a total of 45 million euros — Porto reversed course. Two days of intense talks followed through agent Jorge Mendes's office, but no final resolution has been reached. Porto continues to push for easier payment conditions, while Roma wants to enforce the existing agreement. Roma director D'Amico remains committed but is exploring backup options. A move for Fofana remains difficult, with Lyon unwilling to accept less than 45 million euros without creative payment structures. Midfielder Nkunku, a longtime target of coach Giampiero Gasperini, could return to the conversation after Milan, who holds his registration, indicated a loan might be possible — though his 9 million euro gross salary poses an obstacle. For the vice-Wesley role, Roma is pursuing Cacciamani while also tracking Luis Henrique and Udogie as potential loan options, though those would likely only materialise late in the window.

Matías Soulé has emerged as an unexpectedly valuable squad member for Roma ahead of the club's friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August at 17:30. Two months of uncertainty in the transfer market—with multiple enquiries but no formal offers—have left him as Roma's sole pure winger, securing his position as Gasperini eyes him for the Dortmund clash alongside Paulo Dybala. The German club itself conducted a June inquiry without following through on a move. Soulé's expected permanence comes as Roma now hosts a substantial Argentine contingent. Molina joined the group yesterday for his first training session, joining Dybala, Castro, and Soulé—a concentration of Argentine talent unseen since the year following the Scudetto, when Samuel, Batistuta, Cufré, Balbo and Cejas were at the club. The winger's willingness to stay has been constant; he wishes to play Champions League football but understands the club would consider any offer that arrived. His impressive performances across the capital and in pre-season fixtures have impressed the coach. Soulé's prospects are strengthened by injuries elsewhere: Lorenzo Pellegrini and Niccolò Pisilli remain sidelined, leaving the attacking midfield ranks thin. The former Juventus player, once in an outcast role, now offers Gasperini tactical flexibility heading into the competitive season.