Roma open season with sold-out Olimpico and €120m investment as centenary year stirs dreams

Roma have made a formal approach to Chelsea for winger Gittens at head coach Gasperini's request, but the offer has been turned down. The club proposed a loan deal worth €3 million with a purchase option around €40 million, but Chelsea sources stressed there is currently no intention to allow Gittens to leave on loan. To persuade the Blues, Roma would need to table either a permanent transfer—which the club cannot currently afford—or a loan with a mandatory purchase clause with easily achievable conditions. Gittens's representation is handled by the same agency that represents Sancho, and it remains to be seen whether Roma's pursuit will lead to a formula acceptable to Chelsea. The English club's stance on loan moves, particularly without an obligation built in, has proven to be the key sticking point in negotiations.

Roma are close to finalizing the arrival of Jayden Oosterwolde from Fenerbahçe as the club moves decisively in the final stretch of the transfer window. The 25-year-old Dutch defender will join on a loan deal worth approximately €1 million with a rescission right valued between €15 million and €16 million, convertible to an obligation under certain conditions. Oosterwolde will sign a four-year contract plus one optional year on wages of roughly €1.6 million net. He is currently sidelined by a muscle injury but is expected to be available by mid-September. Oosterwolde's imminent arrival has opened the door to Jan Ziółkowski's departure. The 21-year-old Polish centre-back has attracted interest from Neom, with Roma awaiting an offer in the region of €16 million. Ziółkowski was purchased from Legia Warsaw approximately a year ago for around €6 million, meaning his sale would generate a significant profit to reinvest in the squad. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini would lose a central defender in the deal, but Oosterwolde's versatility should provide adequate defensive cover. Roma continue to pursue Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari, 22, of Brighton, who impressed at the recent World Cup. Ayari's contract expires in a year and he is not currently inclined to renew, but Brighton maintain a valuation between €40 million and €45 million. Borussia Dortmund remain strong contenders for the player's signature. The Giallorossi are also pushing hard for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, 22, but Chelsea have rejected a Roma proposal of €3 million for a loan plus €40 million for a rescission right, instead demanding better terms—preferably an obligation that would guarantee permanent transfer. Roma continue dialogue and hope for a shift in circumstances in the final days. Paris Saint-Germain are considering young Senegalese winger Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, for a departure, and his situation could present an opportunity for Roma in the closing window if conditions favour a move.

Roma face Fiorentina at the Olimpico at 20:45 tonight in the opening match of the Serie A season, with Gian Piero Gasperini preparing several significant choices for his debut fixture. The surprise selection could be Rodrigo Mora, who arrived only in recent days but is already a candidate for a starting shirt. The Portuguese forward is slightly favoured over Matías Soulé to play behind the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the back three, though Konstantinos Koulierakis is pushing to displace the Spanish defender following encouraging signs in pre-season. Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the wing-backs, with Manu Koné returning to midfield. Bryan Cristante is slightly favoured over Neil El Aynaoui for the remaining midfield spot. Mora's immediate integration represents the most intriguing tactical choice, with Santiago Castro available as an important option from the bench. Fiorentina will respond with a 4-3-2-1 under Fabio Grosso. Their lineup includes goalkeeper De Gea, a back four of Jimenez, Dragusin, Ranieri and Valdepenas, Brescianini, Fagioli and Ndour in midfield, Gudmundsson and Atta in support, and Kean as the central striker.

Roma face Fiorentina at the Olimpico at 20:45 tonight in the opening match of the Serie A season, with Gian Piero Gasperini preparing several significant choices for his debut fixture. The surprise selection could be Rodrigo Mora, who arrived only in recent days but is already a candidate for a starting shirt. The Portuguese forward is slightly favoured over Matías Soulé to play behind the partnership of Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Gasperini is expected to deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation. Mile Svilar starts in goal with Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso forming the back three, though Konstantinos Koulierakis is pushing to displace the Spanish defender following encouraging signs in pre-season. Nahuel Molina and Wesley occupy the wing-backs, with Manu Koné returning to midfield. Bryan Cristante is slightly favoured over Neil El Aynaoui for the remaining midfield spot. Mora's immediate integration represents the most intriguing tactical choice, with Santiago Castro available as an important option from the bench. Fiorentina will respond with a 4-3-2-1 under Fabio Grosso. Their lineup includes goalkeeper De Gea, a back four of Jimenez, Dragusin, Ranieri and Valdepenas, Brescianini, Fagioli and Ndour in midfield, Gudmundsson and Atta in support, and Kean as the central striker.

Paulo Dybala will aim to end a drought in front of goal at the Olimpico when Roma face Fiorentina on 24 August. The Argentine has not scored at home in Serie A since 22 December 2024, when he netted a brace in Roma's 5–0 win over Parma under manager Claudio Ranieri. Since then, Dybala has scored three more goals at the Olimpico, but only in European competition: a double against Porto in the 2024–25 Europa League play-off and a penalty against Viktoria Plzen in the 2025–26 season. He has found the net away from home against Milan, Venezia, Sassuolo and Torino. Gasperini assessed Dybala's physical condition positively two days ago at a pre-match press conference. "I see him not only determined as he was last year, but also particularly strong," the Roma boss said. "He completed a preparation phase that for some time he hasn't been able to finish without injuries. Clearly you always cross your fingers." Dybala is keen to celebrate in front of the home crowd after a summer in which he has maintained top form and made a strong contribution on the pitch. Fiorentina present a particular challenge: in 19 previous Serie A encounters against the Viola, Dybala has recorded only three goals and three assists—his lowest return against any opponent he has faced at least 13 times in the league.

Roman radio stations have fielded a panel of journalists and former players to analyse Roma's setup for the coming season. Roberto Pruzzo argued that the squad remains largely unchanged from last year, with Matías Soulé capable of starting despite uneven form, and Paulo Dybala in good condition. He hopes Donyell Malen has recovered the energy he showed in the previous campaign. Mario Mattioli struck a more cautious note on squad integration. He does not expect Rodrigo Mora to play and make an immediate impact, suggesting that Gasperini is not inclined to deploy untested players mid-match. Mattioli stated: "When Mora begins to play he will show what is expected of him, but I have some doubt he can do it right away in an important way for Roma." He expects Nahuel Molina to feature but sees the rest of the side operating as it did last season, albeit with a faster rhythm of play. Soulé, he added, looks well-suited to Dybala's traditional right-sided role. Nando Orsi observed that Bryan Cristante played as a trequartista at Bergamo but has settled into his defensive midfield role at Roma. He noted the tactical complexity of deploying Santiago Castro, whose withdrawn starting position suits an accompanying forward rather than a static centre-forward, and flagged that Malen is not a traditional number nine. Gasperini must balance their use carefully; Castro can operate as Pasalik-style playmaker but Orsi questioned whether the manager is convinced of that approach. Soulé played in a behind-the-striker position at Frosinone and could replicate that role.