Roma move for Cabal in late-window push to beat Atalanta

Chelsea made a dramatic late bid on transfer deadline day to sign Manu Koné, offering €60 million in total with bonuses included and proposing to send winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to Roma on loan as part of the deal. However, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini refused to let the midfielder leave. According to reports, Gasperini raised an insurmountable wall against the move, even threatening to resign if Koné departed, reiterating his firm stance made after Roma's win against Lecce: "Koné will not go anywhere." The coach views the French midfielder as the cornerstone of his midfield and had no intention of losing him hours before the transfer window closed at 20:00. Gasperini's stance proved decisive in blocking what would have been a significant operation from the English club. Koné remains at Roma, with the midfielder staying at Trigoria as the club giallorosso stood firm in its refusal to part with a key squad member in the final hours of the window. Roma's sporting director, however, did not entirely abandon the pursuit of an attacking reinforcement. In the closing stages of the market, the club moved to separate the Bynoe-Gittens component from the Koné negotiation entirely, attempting to find an independent formula that would allow Gasperini to secure the attacking reinforcement he had been seeking.

Roma's decision to halt negotiations for Oosterwolde has been vindicated after the Dutch player underwent surgery today for a biceps femoris tendon injury. The club's medical staff had flagged the severity of the injury during examinations and advised Fenerbahce of the surgical risk, leading Roma to decline to register him. Fenerbahce council member Cihan Kamer confirmed the development: "The deal with Roma fell through because of Oosterwolde's injury. He is being operated on today." The player is expected to return to action in January.

Roma are continuing their hunt for an attacking winger, with director Florian D'Amico working on two fronts: Chelsea's Jadon Gittens and Stuttgart's Lenny Leweling. During recent talks with Chelsea regarding Manu Koné, the club discussed a possible loan move for Gittens. According to Sky Sport, negotiations are ongoing but Roma are still waiting for Chelsea to open the door to a loan arrangement. The club's latest proposal involves a paid loan worth €5 million with a purchase option set at €50 million to persuade the London side. Parallel discussions are progressing with Stuttgart over Leweling. An agreement in principle exists with the German club, but the player has not yet given his consent to the move. Roma have ruled out Luiz Henrique, the Brazilian winger moving further away due to high commission demands from his agents. Separately, Fofana will join Sunderland.