Roma Line Up €40m Bid for Lyon Winger Fofana

Roma have prepared an offer to Porto for Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born attacking midfielder and winger, as they push to deliver Gian Piero Gasperini the offensive reinforcement he requested following difficulties in a British tour. According to Sky Sport, Roma have overtaken Galatasaray in the race for the 19-year-old Portuguese player, with the club aiming to secure Porto's approval between today and tomorrow. Porto have valued Mora at 50 million euros, and Roma's initial proposal comprises a 5 million euro loan with a right of redemption set at 45 million euros, with both sides working to complete the deal as quickly as possible. However, Porto manager Francesco Farioli tempered speculation about Mora's departure during a press conference on 9 August. "Only one player has come to speak to me about the possibility of leaving. I know there is another who would like to go, but Rodrigo is not part of either of those cases," the Tuscan coach explained. Mora is noted as Porto's youngest ever debutant in the club's history.

Roma have tabled an opening bid for Porto winger Rodrigo Mora to bolster Gian Piero Gasperini's attacking options. The offer comprises a loan fee of €5 million with a purchase option set at €45 million. Porto's response is expected in the coming hours, but the player's future remains uncertain amid market speculation. Mora, born in 2007, has emerged as the top target on Roma's shortlist, compiled by director D'Amico. However, Porto manager Francesco Farioli sought to dampen exit rumours in a press conference, stating: "Only one player has come to speak to me about the possibility of leaving. I know there is another who would like to depart, but Rodrigo does not fall into either of those cases." Farioli added that the focus must remain on the coming fixtures rather than individual situations, and that all players can be assured of opportunities across all competitions. Farioli's Porto side face their league campaign opener against Alverca on 9 August, with Mora's inclusion in the squad list now a matter of close attention given the ongoing transfer developments. The Portuguese club's swift reply to Roma's proposal will determine whether the deal advances.

AC Milan have made new contact with the representatives of Matías Soulé in recent days as they pursue a move for the Roma winger, according to Corriere dello Sport. The Serie A champions are attempting to establish the groundwork for a formal bid, though Roma are demanding at least €35 million to allow the Argentine to leave. Soulé could depart the Giallorossi before the end of the transfer window as Gasperini's side close in on new wide attacking options. The arrival of either Endrick or Rodrigo Mora would push Soulé down the pecking order, and his manager does not consider him untransferable. Milan's interest in the 23-year-old has been longstanding, but the club's latest approach signals a renewed push to bring him to the San Siro. Roma's €35 million valuation reflects their desire to recoup a significant portion of the roughly €28 million they invested in Soulé during the summer of 2024. Whether Milan are prepared to meet that asking price in the coming weeks remains a key point of negotiation.

Roma's English pre-season tour ended in concern after a 3–0 defeat at Brighton laid bare significant defensive lapses and attacking impotence. The performance revealed delays both in physical conditioning and the absorption of tactical patterns, leaving Roma having conceded 11 goals across their last four friendly outings. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini expressed open frustration on the touchline, demanding greater midfield screening and emphasising the urgent need to activate the team's intensity. The match highlighted glaring defensive oversights and minimal cutting edge up front. Devyne Rensch came under constant pressure on the counter-attack from Yankuba Minteh, while Mario Hermoso had an off day in marking Georginio Rutter. Donyell Malen showed signs of being short of match fitness. The attacking partnership of Santiago Castro and Paulo Dybala made little impression on goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. With two weeks remaining before Roma's competitive league debut, Gasperini will have crucial time to accelerate both recruitment and work at Trigoria to correct these problems.

Roma's pre-season tour of England ended in a heavy 3–0 defeat to Brighton. Goals from Georginio and a double from Ayari condemned the Giallorossi to a sluggish, listless performance that prompted immediate concern from head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. "Terrible: a poor performance, lacking the right concentration. We're struggling to switch on, but we think we can fix it soon," Gasperini said after the match. The squad returns to Trigoria on Tuesday for group training, which will mark Nahuel Molina's first session with the team. Lorenzo Pellegrini's injury layoff extends beyond initial expectations, with Gasperini warning recovery will take at least a month and the matter will be reassessed in September. The coach also urged patience for players returning from international duty—Evan N'Dicka, Neil El Aynaoui, and Donyell Malen among them—as Roma prepare for Serie A's start in a fortnight. On the transfer front, Gasperini confirmed changes to the squad. "We replaced Çelik with Molina and Dovbyk with Castro, then Koulierakis arrived. But numerically we still need something. D'Amico is negotiating very young but important players," he said, referencing director Tony D'Amico's ongoing dealings in the market.

Gian Piero Gasperini expressed sharp disappointment with Roma's display in a friendly against Brighton on 8 August, conceding three goals and struggling to build momentum ahead of the new season. The defeat extended Roma's poor run to eleven goals conceded in their last four outings. Gasperini said: "It was a very bad match, without doubt. We put in a poor performance. The feeling I have is that we are struggling to switch on." The coach's frustration extended beyond the pitch to the club's transfer activity. With the squad lacking numerical depth, Gasperini acknowledged Roma are unable to accelerate their transfer business at the pace he had hoped. He stated: "I thought we would be further ahead. We cannot do the market because we have too few players... Numerically it seems to me there is still a need for something. On who to target and how to close we will see. Possible departures? Ask the CEO." Defensive vulnerabilities have become a recurring concern, with Svilar and the entire back line appearing exposed when pressed at speed. Forward Donyell Malen showed signs of being out of condition and overweight. Gasperini's comments underline the urgency Roma face in both the transfer market and regaining the collective shape and understanding that underpinned their previous campaigns.