Roma monitoring Icardi as Argentine striker eyes Serie A return

Atalanta are preparing to tie down striker Gianluca Scamacca with a contract extension to 2030, after he remained with the Bergamo club despite Roma's interest this summer. Head coach Gasperini had wanted to reunite with Scamacca at Roma, where he could have filled the role of backup to Donyell Malen. Atalanta never seriously considered selling him, viewing him as a cornerstone of their attacking unit. The 26-year-old has established himself as essential to the Bergamo side's attacking plans. According to reports, Atalanta are now moving to protect their investment and secure his future by extending his current deal, with the new contract set to run until 2030.

Endrick has emerged as a target for Roma in the January transfer window, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini identifying the Brazilian forward as a suitable reinforcement for the attacking department. The player was close to joining Roma in the summer, but the move fell through because the 2006-born attacker was committed to proving himself at Real Madrid under Mourinho, who appeared ready to give him opportunities. With limited appearances so far this season, speculation over a potential departure has resurfaced. However, Endrick's representatives have moved to dampen the Roma interest. Alan Redmond, executive vice-president and Global Head of Football at Roc Nation Sports International, the agency representing the forward, has insisted the player remains focused on Madrid. There were multiple clubs from various countries interested in Endrick over the summer, but his determination has never wavered. Redmond said: "In the summer there were many clubs from different countries interested in him. His idea has always been to stay in Madrid. I am convinced that when he gets the opportunity he will score many goals. We will see what happens in the future, honestly I think he will stay at Real for a long time."

Endrick's next move remains unclear after the Brazilian forward failed to secure playing time at Real Madrid, despite José Mourinho blocking his summer move to Roma. With the January transfer window approaching, Roma have joined AC Milan and foreign clubs including Lyon and Aston Villa in pursuing the 2006-born striker. Roc Nation Sports International, the agency representing Endrick, signalled little likelihood of a departure. Alan Redmond, vice-president and Global Head of Football at the agency, said: "In summer there were many clubs from different countries interested in him. His idea has always been to stay in Madrid. I am convinced that when he gets the opportunity he will score many goals. We'll see what happens in the future, honestly I think he will stay at Real for a long time." Redmond added that Endrick had multiple suitors last summer but remained set on continuing in Spain.

Roma drew with Como on 11 October 2026, but the result was overshadowed by a red card shown to Donyell Malen in the 55th minute. Referee Fabbri's decision to dismiss the Dutch forward has come under heavy scrutiny. Malen was fouled before the contact with Como's Kaiki, and Fabbri played advantage; when that advantage did not materialise, the referee should have returned to blow his whistle for the original foul. Instead, he allowed play to continue, fundamentally changing the course of the match. Further examination reveals that Malen also made contact with the ball during the challenge on Kaiki, a detail that compounds the controversy. A yellow card would have been the correct sanction. Despite playing the entire second half with ten men and facing a decision that will be debated for some time, Roma showed character and sacrifice to prevent Como from scoring. The point gained demonstrates the resilience of Gasperini's side, who remain in contention for the title. The handling of the incident will draw criticism, but the squad's response—maintaining discipline and shape throughout the numerical disadvantage—speaks to their commitment.

Pierluigi Gollini delivered a commanding performance in goal as Roma drew 0–0 at Como on Sunday, stepping in after Mile Svilar's injury forced him into his first start of the season. The former Atalanta and Napoli goalkeeper faced immediate scrutiny, but his display suggested Roma have a goalkeeper ready to step into the breach without hesitation. At the Sinigaglia, Gollini was alert from the seventh minute, closing down Nico Paz with a textbook low save on the Argentine's attempt. His authority grew as the match unfolded, particularly after Donyell Malen's 53rd-minute expulsion left Roma with ten men and Como pushing higher up the pitch. With the field opening up in the second half, Gollini proved the difference between a point and a defeat. He made a crucial save at 72 minutes, palming away a looping effort from Paz over the bar with an outstretched hand. Throughout, he operated with the composure demanded by Gasperini's system, in which the goalkeeper functions as an extra defender, reading cuts into dangerous space and closing depth before Como's midfielders could capitalise. Gollini's reading of the play and his positioning on crosses showed the security needed to manage a three-man defensive line pressing individually. He made four decisive exits and recorded a clean sheet, but the substance lay in his tactical intelligence: he agitated the offensive space early and conceded no second chances, calling out coverage to his defensive line and stepping out when necessary. The point taken from Como carries significance in the title race, but much of it traces back to Gollini's gloves. His readiness in a moment of emergency has given Roma genuine assurance that their second goalkeeper is no mere understudy. The club now awaits clarity on Svilar's recovery timeline, but the depth on display at Como answers one pressing question: Roma need not fear what comes next.

Donyell Malen was sent off directly by referee Fabbri during Roma's match at Como for a foul on Kaiki. Roma players and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini protested vehemently both against the dismissal itself and over a potential foul committed on Malen moments before the incident. Malen contested the decision to fourth official Sozza, saying: "It's always a foul first, if you whistle a foul first I don't get sent off." The controversy centred on whether the referee should have penalised a challenge on the Roma forward in the lead-up to his own challenge, which would have prevented the red card from being shown.