Roma open to keeping Marten de Roon for another season

Bologna are reportedly weighing up whether to end Artem Dovbyk's loan early during the January transfer window, with talks between the Emilian club and Roma expected in the coming weeks. The report, attributed to Matteo Moretto on Fabrizio Romano's YouTube channel, says the Ukrainian striker has not fully convinced Bologna. Dovbyk left Rome last summer in search of more regular football, but his time at Bologna has fallen short of expectations. Injuries and a change of coach have limited his minutes. Roma, for their part, do not currently consider Dovbyk a priority within their technical project, so the two clubs will discuss the best solution for the striker's future. The Italian report notes that Dovbyk could see his situation change again in January, with the two clubs due to meet to take stock of the position.

Bologna are considering ending Artem Dovbyk's loan early, with a return to Roma possible as soon as January, according to market expert Matteo Moretto. After five matches and just one goal, the club is reportedly unhappy with the Ukrainian striker's performances, and at Casteldebole there is growing doubt that he is the right forward to build around for the rest of the season. He has not managed to fit into the system of coach Palladino. Roma have not factored the scenario into their plans. The Giallorossi set up the season without counting on the Ukrainian, and an early return would risk upsetting those plans. As Moretto reported, talks between the two clubs are planned to review the situation and establish the best solution. Dovbyk's future is back in the balance, and January could bring a new twist.

Artem Dovbyk could return to Roma as early as January, with Bologna reportedly considering ending his loan six months early. The Ukrainian striker's spell at Bologna, intended to revive his career after a difficult season, has not gone to plan. Matteo Moretto raised the possibility on Fabrizio Romano's YouTube channel, and Il Resto del Carlino also reports that Bologna are weighing their January departures, including that of the former Girona player. Dovbyk's numbers at Bologna are modest: five league appearances, no starts and one goal. More worrying for the player is his fading status under Raffaele Palladino. Even with no other recognised strikers available, the coach has often preferred alternatives, using Odgaard as a centre-forward. In the most recent match against Parma, Dovbyk stayed on the bench for the full ninety minutes. Money also weighs on Bologna's thinking. Dovbyk earns around three million euros net per season, a significant outlay for a player who currently has no place in the side. The loan, which carries an option to buy, runs until 30 June 2027, but the two clubs could discuss an early termination. The situation is not settled. Bologna chief executive Claudio Fenucci has, at least publicly, ruled out any immediate intention to sell Dovbyk, stressing that the player has important qualities and above all needs to regain confidence. That stance is more cautious than the market speculation and leaves room for a revival in the coming weeks. A early return to Roma would not be automatic. Bologna cannot end the loan unilaterally for technical reasons without Roma's consent, unless the agreement contains specific clauses. A mutual termination would also require the agreement of the player. Roma could therefore refuse Bologna's request and keep the loan in place until its scheduled expiry. Talks between the clubs would serve to establish whether conditions for a shared solution exist. Dovbyk will meanwhile try to use his call-up to the Ukraine squad to regain minutes and confidence. The coming weeks could decide his future, with January approaching and Roma at risk of another outgoing deal to manage.

Roma are already looking beyond the expiry of Marten de Roon's contract, with the club reportedly keen to extend the Dutch midfielder's deal for next season if he continues playing at his current level. Il Corriere dello Sport reports that the board would be prepared to retain him beyond his current contract, should the 35-year-old decide to keep playing and the season continue at the current standard, a scenario considered likely at present. De Roon arrived in the summer to reunite with Gian Piero Gasperini and bring experience and reliability to the new Giallorossi project. He has shown important qualities both technically and physically, and he will turn 36 in March, an age that does not appear to be an obstacle. The former Atalanta player has shown he can meet the demands of Gasperini's football, quickly becoming a reference point for the midfield and the dressing room. The financial side is not expected to complicate any agreement. Over the summer the player had already preferred the chance to work again with Gasperini, who had personally contacted him to convince him to move to the capital. De Roon's priority, the report says, remains to be useful to Roma and to his longtime coach. After his first weeks were devoted mainly to recovering his best condition, following a complicated summer, De Roon has gradually settled into his new daily life. He has moved to Casal Palocco, close to some of his teammates, and his relationship with Roma and the environment at Trigoria is strengthening. The first assessment is therefore already strongly positive, and according to the newspaper, should De Roon decide to continue his career, agreeing a renewal could become little more than a formality.

Roma's January transfer planning is waiting on concrete signals from the Friedkin family in Houston, with the club's strategy expected to be defined this week. The break for international fixtures is seen as a crucial moment to plan the winter window, while Roma's aim remains to stay close to the top of the Serie A table. Il Tempo reports that, barring surprises, no members of the Friedkin family are expected to arrive in Rome. The club is also waiting to learn the outcome of its settlement agreement with UEFA, which will determine the room available for investment. Gian Piero Gasperini's direct contact for market matters and corporate affairs remains CEO John Galantic, with a meeting expected in the coming days. The technical area and sporting director Tony D'Amico have already set the priorities: a striker and a winger, ideally with the qualities of Moreira, who was pursued months ago. Endrick remains at the top of the wish list, although the deal is considered complex in several respects. Kvernadze's stock among the other profiles studied by the club has fallen, as he does not fully convince. Unlike the situation last summer, Gasperini's plans also include the possibility of signing a new midfielder, should the budget granted by the ownership allow it. Although satisfied with the performance of the department, the coach has begun to reflect on the difficulties of the season so far. Koné tends to stop from time to time, De Roon, while still reliable, is of significant age, and Pellegrini is getting less and less playing time. For these reasons, if there is room to manoeuvre, Roma will consider a addition in midfield.

Roma want to keep Marten de Roon, and talks over a contract renewal are beginning, provided things continue as planned and the midfielder wants to keep playing, which is reportedly fairly certain at this stage. The Dutchman, who turns 36 in March, has given strong assurances about his technical and physical condition. The bond between De Roon and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly so close that, at some point in the future, the midfielder could even join the coach's staff, according to Il Corriere dello Sport. The former Atalanta captain is looking ahead without getting too far ahead in his thinking, taking things day by day. What matters, he says, is feeling good and having the right motivation. Money is not an issue in the negotiations. De Roon has spoken warmly about Gasperini, who, in his words, changed his life and his career. The report places the renewal talks alongside Roma's efforts to keep Mario Hermoso, with the club looking to retain its experienced defender and midfielder together.