Roma plan January hunt for two loan strikers as Gasperini pushes for reinforcements

Mile Svilar and Paulo Dybala are edging back towards the starting XI, with the goalkeeper's medical giving a positive result during the international break. Svilar had been sidelined by a stress fracture to the fifth toe of his right foot, picked up in training just over a month ago. He opted for conservative treatment rather than surgery, which allowed the bone callus to form correctly. The Belgian has already trained on the pitch, albeit in a differentiated programme alongside Pierluigi Gollini. The club's aim is to have him back as a regular starter for the trip to Parma when the league resumes. Dybala, who has also returned to group work, could also start from the first minute. Roma are also linked with Atalanta left-back Lorenzo Bernasconi, born in 2003, whose name is picking up transfer speculation ahead of the January window. The left-back, who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, has attracted interest from several major clubs including Roma, Milan and Newcastle. His consistency and constant forward runs down the flank have fuelled international interest in a player considered one of the most promising young players in his position in the league. Atalanta, who value their talents highly, are reportedly valuing his contract at between 20 and 25 million euros. Artem Dovbyk, currently on loan from Roma, left the capital last summer in search of more regular football, but his spell at Bologna has not gone as hoped. Injuries and a change of coach have limited his opportunities, and his situation could change during the January window, as Bologna are reportedly considering ending the loan early in the winter session. The two clubs will discuss the matter in the coming weeks. The Ukrainian striker is not part of Gasperini's plans. On Roman radio, the return of Svilar and Dybala was debated. Alessandro Vocalelli told Radio Radio: "Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's. Gollini did very well, although he conceded a few goals he perhaps could have avoided. Vasquez, on the other hand, did his job: he saved a penalty, then had it retaken, and on the goals conceded he had little responsibility." Luigi Ferrajolo added: "Vasquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but the calmness Svilar brings is something else. Gollini was unlucky because he was playing a good game before his injury. I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the match, because I don't think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing."

Roma are using the international break to take stock of the transfer market and the club's finances, with the UEFA verdict on financial fair play now postponed to May. The decision on the settlement agreement will arrive in spring 2027 rather than November, but the delay does not free Roma from their economic constraints: the club must continue to respect UEFA parameters in the winter window too. Gasperini and D'Amico are waiting for direction from the ownership. In attack, Paulo Dybala is nearing a return from injury, reopening the Dovbyk question. Gasperini faces a delicate choice: during Dybala's absence, Matías Soulé has become increasingly influential playing on the right, the position Dybala prefers. Among the possible solutions is moving the number 21 to the opposite flank, a tactical dilemma ahead of the match against Parma. Meanwhile, Bologna are reportedly considering terminating Artem Dovbyk's loan early in January, after just five appearances and one league goal. According to Moretto, a return to Trigoria would not be automatic and would require agreement between the clubs and the player, unless specific clauses apply. The summit to plan January is approaching, but according to Il Tempo, the American ownership is not expected to travel to the Capital. The talks could therefore involve chief executive John Galantic above all. The key issue remains the budget available for reinforcements, with Gasperini and D'Amico awaiting answers. On other targets, Endrick is a Real Madrid player whom Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil's head coach, wants to see in more regular action, while Mourinho continues to oppose his departure. The player's entourage has denied a reported Milan refusal on religious grounds. Roma remain interested in a loan, but the deal cannot progress without Real Madrid's approval. Roma continue to monitor Lookman, who has been used less and less at Atlético Madrid. According to Mundo Deportivo, Simeone is unlikely to accept a sale without a worthy replacement, and the move remains complicated. Gasperini would gladly reunite with the Nigerian, a key figure in the 2024 Europa League triumph. Gasperini is also pushing for Frosinone winger Kvernadze, who has scored three goals and provided four assists in the first eleven matchdays. According to La Gazzetta, Roma could move as early as January rather than waiting for the summer, but Frosinone are preparing a significant salary increase to keep the Georgian. Elsewhere, Jorge Mendes is reportedly seeking a formula to facilitate a move for Barcelona full-back Balde, a Roma target, according to Sport. Roma would prefer a loan, while Barcelona want to recoup a fee, and the possible breakthrough could come in the final days of January. Off the pitch, Roma are accelerating plans for the new stadium. The club aims to deliver the executive project before Christmas, as announced by Lucia Bernabé, the club's head of institutional relations, speaking at the Social Football Summit. The goal is to advance through the process for the new venue following its recognition of public utility.

Leonardo Balerdi has been one of the more unexpected standouts of Roma's season so far, and his playing time now carries real weight in his future at the club. According to information obtained exclusively by Tele Radio Stereo from sources inside Olympique Marseille, the Argentine centre-back's obligatory buy-back clause is not tied to the number of appearances he makes, but to the percentage of minutes he has played by the end of the season. So far Balerdi has been used for around 50% of the total minutes Roma have played this season, which is enough to trigger the obligatory buy-back at around €15 million, a figure widely reported in recent months. The clause therefore depends on minutes rather than matches, a point the report says differs from what has been read and heard since he arrived in Rome. The final amount Roma would pay to buy his registration outright will also vary according to the percentage of minutes he plays. It could therefore be either lower or higher than €15 million.

Roma defender Emanuele Lulli has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the season, and Italy Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini has admitted he did not expect such a quick rise. Lulli earned his call-up to the Under-21 side after producing convincing performances when Gian Piero Gasperini called on him at Roma. On the eve of Italy's match against France, scheduled for tomorrow at 18:30, Baldini spoke specifically about the Roma full-back and his development. Baldini said: "I did not expect Lulli to explode so quickly, but he is a boy we have always monitored closely." The Italy coach also spoke about the spirit within the Under-21 group. Baldini said: "Here we are a family. When I see these boys I feel particular emotions. They are special because they can tell the professionalism required on the pitch from the fun off it. There are rules, but the most important is the one about cheerfulness: I want to see them smile, joke and get on well together. For me they are a divine gift."

Roma defender Emanuele Lulli is the only Giallorossi player in Italy's Under-21 squad, and coach Baldini has heaped praise on him ahead of Saturday's friendly against France at 18:30 on 13 November. Baldini said: "Lulli I didn't think would break through so quickly, but he has always been monitored." The coach's comments were the headline of his pre-match remarks, and Lulli is the Roma player at the centre of them. Baldini also spoke about two other players. On Ekhator he said: "Ekhator is very strong and more mature than his age. He can give a big hand to Juve and will have a great future." On Inacio he said: "A promising lad with great qualities, and he is doing brilliantly. He will get his chance." Baldini described the squad's atmosphere in warm terms: "Here it is a family. I make the comparison with people who work abroad and, when they come home, find celebration and harmony. When I see these boys I feel those same emotions. They are special in knowing how to separate the professionalism of work on the pitch from fun off it. There are rules, but the number one rule is cheerfulness: I want to see them joking and laughing. For me, they are a divine gift."

Roma are accelerating their transfer activity and focusing their attention on the attack, with Endrick at the top of the list. The Brazilian reportedly wants more playing time after a first spell at Real Madrid in which he did not carve out the role he had hoped for. Roma are pressing to sign him on loan, but the route remains complicated: Milan are also following the situation, and the Spanish club has not yet decided whether to let him leave. Endrick is not the only name on Gian Piero Gasperini's mind. Among the alternatives are Jamie Gittens, for whom Chelsea have reportedly opened the door to a loan move, and Ademola Lookman, a profile that continues to attract interest. The name of Rodrigo Riquelme has also returned to the discussions in recent assessments. The priority has become adding quality and options in attack, temporarily putting the search for an alternative to Wesley on hold. Lulli played an important role in this change of strategy.

Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernández has heaped praise on Roma forward Donyell Malen ahead of the Nations League fixture against Greece, which takes place tomorrow at 20:45. Speaking at his press conference, Xavi singled out the Roma striker for special mention. Xavi said: "He is training very well and is in excellent form. He has shown that he has settled in perfectly and wants to show all his potential. He is doing very well in Italy, and I am trying to give him confidence because he can become an important player for this team. He has the ability to stand out, create chances and be in the right place at the right time. Furthermore, he attacks the goal with great efficiency. He is a footballer with many qualities who can make an important contribution to our team. I can't wait to see him on the pitch." Malen, who plays for the Giallorossi, has been a key figure in the Netherlands setup, and Xavi's comments underline the trust the coach is placing in the forward ahead of the Greece match.

Radio commentators have linked AS Roma with a number of attacking targets, with Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick named as the main options for a left-sided attacker. Speaking on Radio Radio Pomeriggio, Pugliese said: "For the trip to Parma, Svilar and Dybala will be available again. Paulo will start, while Soulé could start from the bench after his commitments with Argentina. For Roma, the most important presence remains Koné." He added that Gasperini wants three players to complete the squad: a midfielder, a wide man and the much-discussed left winger. However, Pugliese believes it is very likely Roma will only be able to sign the offensive winger. On Marten de Roon, Pugliese said there is nothing concrete yet over a new contract. The player reportedly wants to stay for another season but has not spoken with the ownership since April, and no official talks are currently taking place. Pugliese said: "The main names are Kvernadze, Gittens and Endrick, but I do not rule out some surprise." Sabatini focused on Kvernadze, saying there is a release clause of around €4 million. He said: "If Roma came in with an offer of €8-10 million, they could sign him straight away." Sabatini also said Soulé has played matches at levels similar to Dybala and that their output does not double when they play together, sometimes performing better without Paulo. On goalkeepers, he said Vásquez could have been mainly responsible for the defeat at Manchester, but conceded goals he could do little about, and that Gollini has been surprising in some games. Ferrajolo said Vásquez and Gollini conceded two goals from over 25 metres, but that Svilar's composure is a different thing. He said Gollini was unlucky because he was playing well before his injury. Ferrajolo said: "I would start with Soulé and Dybala and then bring on Mora during the game, because I do not think Dybala has 90 minutes in his legs and he needs managing." Melli said Malen has blossomed under Gasperini, having previously played mainly as a winger, which explains why he does not perform for the national team as he does at Roma. He said: "Gasperini's contribution to his growth has been fundamental." Vocalelli said everyone has scored under Gasperini, and that the decision to deploy Malen as a centre-forward was decisive. He said Dybala's absence was felt more than Svilar's, and that Vásquez saved a penalty, which was retaken, and had little responsibility for the goals conceded. Orsi praised Malen as a great player whose qualities emerge especially inside the box, describing him as a true centre-forward rather than a deep-lying striker, unlike Castro, who tends to move more outside the area. He added: "Gasperini wants to strike back against Inter."

Xavi has heaped praise on Donyell Malen ahead of the Netherlands' Nations League fixture against Greece tomorrow, saying the forward is in excellent form and that he cannot wait to see him on the pitch. Malen missed the Netherlands' games in September due to a physical problem, but he is available for this match. Speaking at his press conference, Xavi said: "He is training very well and is really in excellent form. He has shown he feels perfectly at ease. He wants to prove his potential. He is giving his best in Italy. I am trying to give him confidence because he can become important for the team." The Netherlands boss, the former Barcelona coach, is clearly keen to build the 27-year-old's role in the side. Xavi went on to praise the Roma forward's all-round game: "He has the ability to stand out, to create chances, to be the right man and then to attack the goal at the same time. So yes, he is truly a player with many qualities who strengthens our team, and I can't wait to see him on the pitch." For Roma, the comments underline Malen's growing standing with his national side while he continues his spell at the club.