Roma in advanced talks to sign Porto and Torino wingers

Jan Ziółkowski's future at Roma remains uncertain, with Saudi Arabian clubs reportedly interested in the Polish centre-back. Roma are demanding €20 million to allow his departure. Ziółkowski arrived at the club a year ago from Legia Warsaw. The Giallorossi are actively managing both sides of the transfer market this summer, and the 25-year-old defender is not guaranteed to remain at Trigoria for the 2026–27 season. The centre-back has attracted attention from the Saudi league, though a move depends on Roma receiving their asking price of €20 million. Should Ziółkowski leave, Roma have identified plans to strengthen their defence. Udogie is listed as their primary target to reinforce the backline. The situation continues to develop, with the club preparing contingency options ahead of the new season.

Roma are pursuing Tottenham left-back Udogie on a loan deal with a right to buy, but negotiations have stalled as Spurs deliberate over the terms. The player has agreed to the move and wants to return to Italy, but Roma and Tottenham remain at odds over the structure: Roma want a loan with an option to purchase, while Tottenham are reluctant to part with two full-backs simultaneously. The complication lies in Tottenham's parallel negotiations with Inter over the sale of Spence. Because both Udogie and Spence are on the market, Spurs are unwilling to lose both players on loan terms, meaning the outcome of the Spence deal directly affects Udogie's prospects at Roma. Director D'Amico has identified Udogie as the first-choice left-back target to inject fresh quality into Roma's wide defence and give coach Gasperini additional options throughout the season. With Pedro Porro and Robertson also in Tottenham's squad, Spurs are keen to retain depth on the flanks. Roma continue to push for a resolution, but the decision rests with Tottenham in the coming hours. Should those talks break down, Roma have identified an alternative: Inter's Luis Henrique, valued at €30 million.

Roma are nearing the completion of a transfer for Rodrigo Mora, a Portuguese player, according to radio discussion on Roman sports broadcasts. Piero Torri, speaking on Radio Manà Manà Sport Roma (90.9), noted that Mora had a strong first year at his previous club but spent the last season on the bench. Torri expressed reservations: "We are not far from closing the deal for Rodrigo Mora. The boy comes from a singular growth path where in the first year he did very well while in the last season he was on the bench and I have doubts about the fee invested for the Portuguese player's transfer." Roberto Pruzzo, on Radio Radio Mattino (104.5), warned against repeating mistakes in squad recruitment, citing concerns over expensive signings who do not immediately integrate into the team. He stressed that Roma need quality in attack and must improve as a squad. Pruzzo said: "The important thing is that he has the possibility not to wait too long, because otherwise it becomes chaos that comes down on you. I don't know Mora, but that it doesn't happen like with Vaz: you end up with a significant expense and a player who is part of the squad only partially. Roma made its choice, the priority is to have some quality up front. Roma is behind as a team, then inserting a couple of players I don't think is complicated. There is a need for the team to make a leap in quality." Nando Orsi added that any player costing significant fees must make an immediate impact under Gasperini's direction, and questioned whether Mora would provide the quality Roma require at the highest level.

Roma continues to struggle in finding an attacking left winger, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to evaluate a significant tactical overhaul for the 2026–27 season. High costs and a lack of suitable profiles have left the position unfilled despite sustained efforts, pushing the club to consider a strategic change in formation. The proposal would move away from two attacking midfielders supporting a single striker toward a system with one attacking midfielder behind two forwards. This tactical shift would align with Roma's recent recruitment priorities, including reported interest in players such as Rodrigo Mora and Endrick. With attacking options like Donyell Malen, a forward identified as Castro, and Robinio Vaz already in the squad, alongside creative midfielders of the calibre of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, Roma would have the versatility to reshape its attacking setup to suit the strengths of its available players and adapt the system to their characteristics.

Roma returned to training at Trigoria on 11 August following their Wales training camp, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini welcoming back key players and new arrivals. Manu Koné rejoined the squad after post-World Cup leave, having fended off only a modest Chelsea enquiry, while Argentine winger Nahuel Molina completed his move after landing at Ciampino on 10 August in front of around 200 celebrating supporters. Molina signed a four-year contract and was immediately available for selection. Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has recently renewed his contract with the club, remains the only first-team player unavailable. The midfielder is undergoing final treatment for a right-thigh muscle injury and will rejoin the group officially after 15 August. Pellegrini has been sidelined managing a recurrence of the muscular problem but is progressing through his recovery schedule.

Roma have moved decisively in the transfer market, with nineteen-year-old Porto forward Rodrigo Mora close to joining the club and Argentine right-back Nahuel Molina officially arriving in the capital. Molina landed at Ciampino airport after Roma agreed a deal with Atlético Madrid worth 13 million euros plus 4 million in bonuses. He will replace Zeki Çelik on the right flank. The Mora deal is in its final stages, with Roma having worked extensively to fend off competition from Galatasaray. Porto president André Villas-Boas has agreed terms involving 25 million euros upfront—with 50 per cent of any future resale profit returning to Porto—plus a further 25 million euros in 2027. Mora will sign a five-year contract, a profile that immediately impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The move accelerates after the Endrick pursuit collapsed, with the Brazilian now bound for Real Madrid. With midfielder Manu Koné returning to full availability and expected returns of Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the horizon, Gasperini is building squad depth. Roma are also monitoring possible departures of Matías Soulé and Neil El Aynaoui to maintain financial balance, but the focus is on assembling a competitive, technically strong group ready for Serie A and European football.

Roma continues to struggle in finding an attacking left winger, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to evaluate a significant tactical overhaul for the 2026–27 season. High costs and a lack of suitable profiles have left the position unfilled despite sustained efforts, pushing the club to consider a strategic change in formation. The proposal would move away from two attacking midfielders supporting a single striker toward a system with one attacking midfielder behind two forwards. This tactical shift would align with Roma's recent recruitment priorities, including reported interest in players such as Rodrigo Mora and Endrick. With attacking options like Donyell Malen, a forward identified as Castro, and Robinio Vaz already in the squad, alongside creative midfielders of the calibre of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, Roma would have the versatility to reshape its attacking setup to suit the strengths of its available players and adapt the system to their characteristics.

AS Roma has constructed this fantasy XI to celebrate the club's 99-year history of attracting world-class talent. The feature categorises legendary signings by era, beginning with postwar arrivals: Alcide Ghiggia, who joined in 1953 after scoring in Brazil's 1950 World Cup final loss, and Juan Schiaffino, the other Maracanazo hero, who helped Roma lift their first European Cup in 1961 alongside fellow Uruguayan Manfredini. The 1980s elevated Roma's prestige dramatically, starting with Falcao and Vierchowod during the second Serie A title, followed by Cerezo, Boniek, Voeller, and Aldair, who pioneered Roma's succession of elite defenders including Samuel and Chivu. Cafu, who won the World Cup twice as a Roma player and once as captain of Brazil, anchored the right flank; his era also featured Candela, Montella, and Gabriel Batistuta. Later recruits—Maicon, Pjanić, Salah, and Edin Dzeko, who reached the top three all-time goalscorer rankings—maintained the club's magnetism for established stars. Paulo Dybala, still actively representing the club, exemplifies the ongoing mutual affection between world-class talent and Roma's brand.

Rodrigo Mora has agreed to join Roma. Director of football Tony D'Amico has tabled a five-year contract worth two million euros per season, including bonuses, for the Porto playmaker. The agreement with agent Jorge Mendes was reached yesterday after rapid negotiations. Porto's formal approval is awaited in the coming hours. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed D'Amico to complete the deal quickly, expecting two new arrivals by 15 August. Gasperini received reassurances at an emergency meeting with ownership at Vale Resort in Hensol, Wales. Roma plan to close the signing of the new forward first, then turn attention to reinforcing other positions: a right winger to deputise for Paulo Dybala, and a left winger to rotate with Wesley.