Roma plan alternatives to fund Malen redemption without Champions League revenue

Roma's pursuit of Luis Henrique remains at a standstill, with the Brazilian midfielder unwilling to move to the Stadio Olimpico and no agreement in place on personal terms. Inter are demanding €30 million for the player, but negotiations with Roma have stalled in recent days with no fresh developments. Director D'Amico continues hunting a wide midfielder to bolster Roma's ranks. Beyond Henrique, other targets on the shortlist include Udogie and Cacciamani to strengthen the opposite flank. However, Roma's priority before pursuing those avenues is to secure a deal for Mora, who would add depth to the attacking department.

Roma have completed the signing of Molina from Atlético Madrid. The Argentine defender has already given his first interview as a Roma player as the club continues its summer transfer activity. Roma's transfer window has entered a critical phase as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini prepares his squad for the 2026–27 season, with a return to the Champions League the stated objective. The Friedkin Group are working to assemble a competitive roster to support the Italian coach's ambitions for the campaign ahead. Molina's arrival adds depth to Roma's defensive options as the club balances its squad requirements heading into the new season.

Roma and Porto are locked in a standoff over the transfer of midfielder Mora. The clubs have agreed on the deal structure but remain at odds over the terms. Roma has proposed an initial loan of €7–8 million with a right of purchase set at €42–43 million, which would become an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. Roma wants to include a clause based on 60 per cent of appearances and qualification to the next Champions League, while Porto is seeking stronger guarantees and more favourable conditions. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is waiting for the 2007-born trequartista, whom the club hopes to mould in the image of Paulo Dybala. Mora endured an inconsistent season at Porto, with transfer rumours linking him to Saudi Arabia and the tactical system under his previous coach not fully utilising his strengths. Under that manager, Mora was often pushed back into midfield to start play, a role that significantly limited his effectiveness in the attacking third.

Rodrigo Mora appears tailor-made for Gasperini's tactics on the basis of his technical qualities and playing style. The 19-year-old Portuguese prospect is a low centre-of-gravity player with explosive one-on-one ability and creativity between the lines, capable of creating numerical advantage and opening dangerous passing lanes in the final third. Last season, despite an overall period that fell short of expectations, Mora produced impressive statistical output. According to WhoScored, among players with over 1,000 minutes, he ranked joint-first in successful dribbles per 90 minutes (1.7, level with William Gomes), first in key passes per 90 (2.7), and fourth in shots attempted per match (2.8). His long-range shooting ability is another strength, a quality Roma have struggled to find in their squad in recent years. This will be Mora's first experience outside Portugal, and a physiological adjustment period is expected before seeing the full extent of his capabilities. Asking for an immediate impact from one of Europe's most interesting young talents in his first time away from home and under one of football's most tactically and athletically demanding coaches risks diminishing the value of an important investment.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is building a Roma side defined by youth, technical fluency, and aggressive attacking play, with quality and skill prioritized over physical presence. The structure centres on Rodrigo Mora, a slight-framed playmaker and dribbler who will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for a starting role, while Donyell Malen leads the forward line alongside technically gifted players including Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé. Offensive thrust will also flow from attacking full-backs such as Wesley, supported by various transfer targets including potential arrivals at centre-back and in midfield. With the team so heavily weighted towards attack, the stability of Roma's shape depends almost entirely on Manu Koné, who will screen the defence and reclaim possession alongside Bryan Cristante. The French midfielder's long-term future remains uncertain, however, and any departure would leave a void difficult to fill in the short term. Gasperini's vision prioritizes technical excellence across the attacking third, with contributions from wider areas through offensively minded defenders and young, technical players who can operate in varied roles across the pitch.

Roma are close to securing Rodrigo Mora, a 2007-born winger who stands under 1.70m tall and favours dribbling over physical play, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shapes a younger, lighter and more attacking squad than last season. Mora will compete with Lorenzo Pellegrini for the number 10 role. The club are still hunting one or two additional wingers or attacking midfielders and one or two fullbacks to complete the XI. Gasperini's vision prioritises technical ability over physical presence, targeting players built for a high-octane attacking system. Mora's profile — incisive on the ball but less accustomed to the physical demands of Italian football and prone to struggle when forced to chase opponents — fits the template. Donyell Malen is expected to carry the goal-scoring load among the wider players initially, with alternatives in Castro and Robinio Vaz, who offers greater physical stature. Matías Soulé, should he remain, offers a middle ground. Fullbacks too are selected for their attacking prowess: Wesley on one flank, with options including Molina, Cacciamani, Luis Henrique or Udogie on the other. Manu Koné emerges as the vital equilibrium force in midfield, tasked with providing defensive cover and structure to an otherwise offence-heavy setup. However, he remains a persistent departure risk, a potential weakness in an otherwise cohesive recruitment strategy.

Roma's pre-season tour of England closed with a 3–0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium on 8 August. Georginio Rutter opened the scoring in the 29th minute after Wesley squandered a one-on-one chance against Verbruggen in the 28th, with Yasin Ayari doubling the lead before half-time and completing his brace early in the second half at the 49th minute. The result capped a disappointing week for Gasperini's side, following a heavy loss to Cardiff City, with only an improved performance against Newport offering respite. Wesley's missed opportunity proved decisive; from the resulting counter-attack, Rutter fired past Svilar, and the concession of the opening goal triggered a psychological collapse that Brighton exploited ruthlessly through their pace and directness. Gasperini's Roma controlled stretches of the match and came closest to opening the scoring when Wesley was played through one-on-one in the 28th minute but shot over from a favourable position. The side's lack of clinical finishing and defensive frailty were stark: Brighton's attacks repeatedly found space, particularly down the flanks, and Roma's back line appeared disorganised and slow to react. Svilar made several key saves to prevent a larger scoreline. The heavy rotation Gasperini introduced in the second half, giving opportunities to younger squad members, failed to ignite a response from a team that appeared depleted and lacking intensity. Evan Ferguson, still recovering from injury, was present at the stadium to greet his former teammates before kick-off. Roma's next fixture is a friendly against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August, a match Gasperini will view as essential for rebuilding confidence and addressing the defensive and mental issues laid bare at the Amex.

Evan Ferguson was present at the Amex Stadium for Brighton's friendly against Roma on 8 August 2026, though the Irish striker did not feature in the match. Ferguson spent last summer on loan at Roma with a purchase option before returning to Brighton at the end of the 2025–26 season. Ahead of the test match, he took time to greet Gasperini's coaching staff and his former Roma teammate Gollini. Ferguson arrived at Roma last summer under a loan agreement that included a €40 million purchase option, but that clause was not exercised when his spell ended with the conclusion of the previous campaign. His appearance at the Amex reflected the ongoing connection between the two clubs as they prepare for the new season.

Evan Ferguson, the Roma forward on loan from Brighton, was present at the Amex Stadium on 8 August and exchanged greetings with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and the club's staff. Ferguson remains sidelined following an ankle injury sustained in January 2025. The Irish striker's appearance at Brighton ahead of the fixture underlined his continued recovery from the injury that has kept him unavailable since the start of 2025. His presence among the Roma party offered a chance to reconnect with his former coach and teammates despite his absence from the squad on the pitch. Ferguson joined Roma on loan from Brighton in July 2025 with an option to make the move permanent for €40 million.

Roma must quicken their transfer activity with less than two weeks until the Serie A season begins. Head coach Gasperini has signalled urgency to the club following a heavy defeat to Brighton, stating: "Numerically it seems there is still a need for something, but you know how it is." Koné returned to training today and Molina arrived in the capital yesterday, providing important reinforcements, but the coach insists the squad-building remains incomplete. Gasperini has emphasised the need for depth across positions, particularly given Champions League participation: "Having at least two players per role is essential for those competing in cups. Those who don't do it pay heavily." Gasperini's original shopping list comprised a defender, a winger and two forwards. Koulierakis has arrived for defence, Castro for attack, and Molina on the wing—filling three of four targets. The priority now is a second striker. Roma have identified Rodrigo Mora from Porto, with negotiations progressing well; the club hopes to complete that deal in the coming hours. The second gap is at left-back: while Molina covered Çelik's departure on the right, Gasperini needs cover for Wesley on the opposite flank, particularly after losing both Angeliño and Tsimikas from the previous season. Roma are focusing on Alessio Cacciamani and Destiny Udogie, contrasting profiles suited to strengthen the left-back options. The work ahead is significant, and time is running short.

Roma are working to sign Tottenham left-back Udogie, an Italy international and former Verona and Udinese player, after he gave his availability to return to Italian football. The move is positioned as a reinforcement on the flanks following the departures of Angeliño, Çelik and Tsimikas from last season, with only Molina having arrived so far to fill that void. Negotiations are currently on hold, however, as Roma's director of football must resolve two preliminary tasks. The first is to complete a deal for winger Mora — expected to be Gasperini's next signing — from a London club asking around 30 million euros, which would free up funds to pursue Udogie. Fiorentina have also targeted the Tottenham player, but the club do not appear inclined to make an investment of that scale. Roma are more committed to the pursuit. Udogie was previously approached by Fiorentina through Paolo Paratici, the former Tottenham executive, and has indicated willingness to join. His agent, Emeka, is understood to be facilitating the move. The agent is keen to rehabilitate his reputation following what is characterised as poor handling of negotiations over Sancho last season.

Gian Piero Gasperini held a four-hour meeting with new CEO Galantic and Tony D'Amico at Roma's Welsh training camp, forcing the coach to cancel a scheduled Sky television appearance. The summit focused on urgent transfer priorities with the league season opening against Fiorentina only weeks away. Gasperini reiterated two critical shortages: a right-footed winger — with the Nusa target remaining financially prohibitive — and reinforcement on the left flank, where Wesley is currently the only available senior starter following the departures of Angeliño and Tsimikas, and with Salah-Eddine also set to leave. The club confirmed Lorenzo Pellegrini is undergoing medical tests to formalise an annual contract renewal through 2027 at a reduced salary, while Marash Kumbulla has completed a loan move to Rayo Vallecano with a buy option. Goalkeepers Zelezny and Vasquez remain among the squad members whose positions are still to be clarified. Ticket sales for Roma's first home fixture at the Olimpico have opened to long queues, building on strong momentum from 40,000 season-ticket subscriptions, with a quick sell-out anticipated.