Roma open to El Aynaoui sale as Saudi clubs circle; price set at €35m

Roma have made an attempt to sign Tottenham winger Tel in recent days, but the English club have given a firm rejection. Tottenham head coach De Zerbi considers the French winger untouchable and has closed the door on any departure. The imminent arrival of Savinho at the club is unlikely to change De Zerbi's stance on retaining the former Bayern talent. With two days until Roma's league campaign begins, head coach Gasperini still awaits two reinforcements: a striker and a winger. Sporting director D'Amico is working to meet the coach's demands, though the path remains difficult as the transfer window enters its final weeks and available targets narrow. Tel was the latest name explored by Roma as they continue to seek solutions in attack and defence. Roma have also kept winger Gittens on their radar, pushing Chelsea for a loan move, but the Premier League club remain resistant for now. French midfielder Fofana remains another option under evaluation by D'Amico. Roma continue to assess and pursue the right fit, but time is running out.

Matías Soulé enters Roma's Serie A season opener against Fiorentina on Monday evening at the Olimpico facing competition for his place in Gian Piero Gasperini's starting XI. Rodrigo Mora has impressed in early training at Trigoria and is challenging the Argentine for the attacking midfielder slot behind the Dybala–Malen pairing, though Gasperini may adjust the formation to deploy a dual trequartista system depending on Dybala's positioning. Soulé has worked to earn a key role in Roma's setup and his physical condition has improved markedly since the mid-July training camp, where he carried excess weight. He still needs to fine-tune his movement within the coach's tactical framework, but his performance in training has been encouraging. The 2003-born former Froisinone player is hungry to establish himself at Roma, driven by enthusiasm for the fresh start and the presence of fellow Argentine teammates. Transfer speculation has circulated in the final days of the summer window, with AC Milan reportedly considering an approach. However, no concrete offer has arrived at Trigoria and a departure would be difficult to arrange at this stage. Soulé himself has shown no desire to leave, instead drawing energy from the project ahead.

Matías Soulé is fighting for a starting place in Roma's opening Serie A match against Fiorentina on 24 August, with competition from Rodrigo Mora for the attacking midfield role behind Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Mora has impressed the coaching staff in early training and is challenging Soulé for the position, which does not perfectly suit the Argentine's playing style but which he must learn to interpret effectively. Soulé has regained fitness during pre-season after arriving at Trigoria carrying extra weight in mid-July, and his enthusiasm has been boosted by the arrival of two other Argentine players. However, transfer speculation has continued to shadow the final weeks of the summer window. Milan have been linked with a move, though no concrete offers have materialised and a departure appears unlikely at this stage. Soulé does not wish to leave the club and remains motivated to carve out his role in Gasperini's squad.

Roma are considering selling Neil El Aynaoui and Jan Ziółkowski to Saudi Arabian clubs to generate funds for further signings before the transfer window closes. The club has set El Aynaoui's asking price at €35 million, targeting a net surplus of at least €15 million after the midfielder's €25 million acquisition last summer on a contract to 2030. Roma are seeking €20 million for defender Ziółkowski, whose departure has also attracted concrete offers from Saudi Arabia, particularly from Neom. Combined sales would bring in over €50 million—the figure needed to finance a final attacking reinforcement in the coming days. UEFA Financial Fair Play rules have forced Roma into a cautious approach. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed the ownership and CEO John Galantic to accelerate incomings, but the response has been firm: no departures, no new arrivals. The proceeds from El Aynaoui and Ziółkowski would enable Roma to target Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, valued at €35 million by Chelsea, though sporting director D'Amico is monitoring multiple attacking profiles. This financial squeeze reflects the club's need to balance squad ambitions against regulatory constraints as the window enters its final phase.

Wesley has returned to full training and will start at left-back in Monday's Serie A opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico (20:45), after recovering from an ankle injury that disrupted his summer preparation. Gian Piero Gasperini has settled on a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Mancini, N'Dicka and Hermoso in defence, Wesley and Molina on the wings, and Dybala and Malen leading the attack. The main tactical question concerns the number 10 position: Gasperini is tempted to deploy Rodrigo Mora's pure talent from the start, but faces a dilemma. Launching Mora could risk losing defensive balance and midfield cover; instead, Gasperini appears inclined toward a more cautious approach, pairing either Pisilli or El Aynaoui alongside Koné in midfield, with Cristante advanced to the number 10 role to provide substance, runs, and physical presence. Lorenzo Pellegrini remains unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation after knee surgery, while young Bah has successfully undergone right-knee surgery.

Roma's transfer activity is entering its most intense phase with 11 days remaining in the summer window. The club is prioritising the signing of a left-back and left winger, with the attacking department potentially reinforced only by a loan deal, possibly with a purchase option. The American ownership's strategy is taking shape through over €100 million invested to strengthen Gasperini's squad while lowering both wage bill and average age. The green line of investment—acquisitions targeting both immediate impact and long-term development—is evident across the squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini have agreed wage cuts on their renewals. Among the notable signings are two strikers and a Greek defender, contributing to an squad now containing 11 players under 25: Ziolkowski (21), Koulierakis (22), Ghilardi (23), Rensch (23), Pisilli (21), Koné and El Aynaoui (25), Mora and Vaz (19), Castro (21) and Soulé (22). These are players ready to perform now and into the future under a manager like Gasperini, who has consistently developed and promoted emerging talent. Potential arrivals of Fofana and Luis Henrique—or even just one of them—would further increase the number of young players in the squad. The possibility of selling academy product Ziolkowski and Matías Soulé remains under consideration as part of the squad restructuring.

Roma are considering selling Neil El Aynaoui and Jan Ziółkowski to Saudi Arabian clubs to generate funds for further signings before the transfer window closes. The club has set El Aynaoui's asking price at €35 million, targeting a net surplus of at least €15 million after the midfielder's €25 million acquisition last summer on a contract to 2030. Roma are seeking €20 million for defender Ziółkowski, whose departure has also attracted concrete offers from Saudi Arabia, particularly from Neom. Combined sales would bring in over €50 million—the figure needed to finance a final attacking reinforcement in the coming days. UEFA Financial Fair Play rules have forced Roma into a cautious approach. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has pressed the ownership and CEO John Galantic to accelerate incomings, but the response has been firm: no departures, no new arrivals. The proceeds from El Aynaoui and Ziółkowski would enable Roma to target Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, valued at €35 million by Chelsea, though sporting director D'Amico is monitoring multiple attacking profiles. This financial squeeze reflects the club's need to balance squad ambitions against regulatory constraints as the window enters its final phase.

Roma's recruitment drive continues with three months to go before the start of the new campaign, as Gian Piero Gasperini's squad still requires reinforcement despite the imminent league opener against Fiorentina. The club's hierarchy is working to deliver two additional arrivals before the close of the transfer window: a midfielder and a winger. The arrival of Rodrigo Mora — deployed as a backup to Paulo Dybala on the left — falls short of addressing Gasperini's need for a dynamic wide player capable of breaking matches open with pace and technical ability. These acquisitions are contingent on outgoings; should players like Matías Soulé or Jan Ziółkowski depart, the number of incoming deals could rise to three. Among the targets on sporting director D'Amico's radar is Chelsea's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, an Elite Project client who has dropped out of the Blues' plans. If Chelsea confirm their willingness to negotiate a loan deal, the operation could accelerate significantly. Roma are also evaluating at least three attacking options while maintaining interest in Youssouf Fofana as a midfield candidate.

Roma plan two more signings before the transfer window closes to complete their squad for the Champions League campaign and the club's centenary year. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants a fifth central midfielder and a right winger; the arrival of Rodrigo Mora has not filled the gaps, particularly the need for a player capable of explosive play in that area. Sporting director D'Amico is working on at least three names. Chelsea winger Gittens is a real option. He is out of favour at Stamford Bridge and managed by Elite Project, the same agency that represents Udogie. If Chelsea open the door to a loan — Roma have detected signals in that direction — the deal could advance. Midfielder Fofana remains firmly on Roma's radar. Both arrivals should be assessed separately from any potential departures: if either Matías Soulé or Jan Ziółkowski leaves, Roma would need to bring in three players instead of two.